Peptides for weight loss

Ranked by evidence

1. 1

   Semaglutide

   The GLP-1 drug that started the modern weight-loss era: Ozempic and Wegovy.

   FDA-approved with large RCT programs (SUSTAIN, STEP, SELECT). SELECT showed a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events in people with heart disease and overweight.

   5/5FDA approvedLab purity 99.53%
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2. 2

   Tirzepatide

   The dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist behind Mounjaro and Zepbound.

   FDA-approved on the basis of large phase 3 programs (SURPASS for diabetes, SURMOUNT for obesity, SURMOUNT-OSA for sleep apnea).

   5/5FDA approvedLab purity 99.72%
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3. 3

   Cagrilintide

   A long-acting amylin analog — the 'Cagri' half of CagriSema.

   Phase 2 RCT of cagrilintide alone and large phase 3 RCTs (REDEFINE) with a cagrilintide-only arm. Not approved as a standalone drug.

   4/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.44%
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4. 4

   Retatrutide

   Eli Lilly's investigational triple-hormone agonist: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon in one weekly shot.

   Large phase 2 RCT (NEJM 2023) and multiple positive phase 3 trials (TRIUMPH program). Not yet approved, and long-term safety data is still being collected.

   4/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.82%
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5. 5

   AOD-9604

   A growth-hormone fragment developed for obesity — it failed its key trial.

   Human trials exist and showed it was well tolerated, but the largest (phase 2b, 536 people) missed its weight-loss endpoint. Positive findings are mostly from animals.

   3/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.50%
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6. 6

   Tesofensine

   A triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor under study for obesity.

   Phase‑2 randomized controlled trials in hypothalamic obesity and Prader‑Willi syndrome; animal studies show metabolic effects.

   3/5Not FDA approvedWADA banned
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7. 7

   5-Amino-1MQ

   A small-molecule NNMT blocker with mouse data only — not actually a peptide.

   Cell studies and a small number of mouse studies; no published human trials.

   2/5Not FDA approvedWADA bannedLab purity 99.97%
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Ranked by human evidence (how we rate it), then FDA approval. Higher isn’t a recommendation to use anything.

Compare them head to head

• Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide
• Tirzepatide vs Retatrutide
• Semaglutide vs Retatrutide
• Semaglutide vs Cagrilintide
• AOD-9604 vs 5-Amino-1MQ
• Retatrutide vs Cagrilintide
• Retatrutide vs AOD-9604
• Retatrutide vs 5-Amino-1MQ
• Tirzepatide vs Cagrilintide
• Tirzepatide vs AOD-9604
• Tirzepatide vs 5-Amino-1MQ
• Semaglutide vs AOD-9604
• Semaglutide vs 5-Amino-1MQ
• Cagrilintide vs AOD-9604
• Cagrilintide vs 5-Amino-1MQ
• Semaglutide vs Tesofensine
• Tirzepatide vs Tesofensine