Hexarelin vs Retatrutide
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a potent synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. It provides the strongest GH release among GHRPs but is associated with rapid desensitization of receptors.
Full details →Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors. Phase 2 trials showed unprecedented weight loss of up to 24% at 48 weeks, making it potentially the most effective obesity treatment studied.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Hexarelin | Retatrutide |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Acts as a ghrelin mimetic with high potency at the GHS receptor. Provides powerful GH release but receptor desensitization occurs faster than with other GHRPs, requiring cycling. | Triple receptor activation provides complementary metabolic effects: GLP-1 and GIP reduce appetite and improve insulin sensitivity, while glucagon receptor activation increases energy expenditure and promotes hepatic fat oxidation. |
| Typical Dosage | Typical dosing: 100-200mcg administered 2-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks, followed by an equal off period to allow receptor resensitization. | Clinical trials used doses from 1mg to 12mg weekly. Optimal dosing still being determined in ongoing Phase 3 trials. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Cycling is essential to maintain effectiveness. Often used in short bursts rather than continuous protocols. | Subcutaneous injection once weekly. Currently only available through clinical trials - not yet FDA approved. |
| Side Effects | Water retention, cortisol and prolactin increase, hunger (moderate), tingling, and potential blood pressure effects. | Similar GI effects to other incretin-based therapies: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation. Dose-dependent severity. |
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