LESSON 2 OF 2
The metabolic catalog: approved vs research
By the end you can
- Match each metabolic product to the receptors it targets
- Tell approved molecules from those still in trials
- Describe metabolic products in compliant language
Single, dual and triple agonists
The metabolic products are easiest to remember by how many receptors they target. Semaglutide targets one, the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide targets two, GIP and GLP-1. Retatrutide targets three: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon.
Cagrilintide targets the amylin receptor. CagriSema pairs cagrilintide with semaglutide.
Where each one stands
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved, but only as their branded drugs: Ozempic, Wegovy (injection and pill) and Rybelsus for semaglutide, and Mounjaro and Zepbound for tirzepatide. Retatrutide is in phase 3 trials, and cagrilintide has been tested in phase 3 trials, mostly alongside semaglutide. None of the three was FDA-approved as of October 2026.
CagriSema is under FDA review, with a decision expected in late 2026. Statuses like this change quickly, so check before describing one.
Two products have no human trials. The retatrutide/cagrilintide vial is a pairing that has never been studied together. 5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule, not a peptide, studied only in cells and mice.
Talking about metabolic products
These are the most requested products in the catalog, which makes careful language matter most here. Describe the receptor a molecule targets and the stage of its research. Never compare a research product to a branded drug, as in "it's like Ozempic," and never describe results in people.
| Product | GLP-1 | GIP | Glucagon | Amylin | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Targets | Does not target | Does not target | Does not target | Approved (branded) |
| Tirzepatide | Targets | Targets | Does not target | Does not target | Approved (branded) |
| Retatrutide | Targets | Targets | Targets | Does not target | Phase 3 |
| Cagrilintide | Does not target | Does not target | Does not target | Targets | Phase 3 |
| CagriSema | Targets | Does not target | Does not target | Targets | Under FDA review |
| Retatrutide + cagrilintide vial | Targets | Targets | Targets | Targets | Never studied together |
Semaglutide
Receptors
- GLP-1: targeted
- GIP: not targeted
- Glucagon: not targeted
- Amylin: not targeted
Approved (branded)Tirzepatide
Receptors
- GLP-1: targeted
- GIP: targeted
- Glucagon: not targeted
- Amylin: not targeted
Approved (branded)Retatrutide
Receptors
- GLP-1: targeted
- GIP: targeted
- Glucagon: targeted
- Amylin: not targeted
Phase 3Cagrilintide
Receptors
- GLP-1: not targeted
- GIP: not targeted
- Glucagon: not targeted
- Amylin: targeted
Phase 3CagriSema
Receptors
- GLP-1: targeted
- GIP: not targeted
- Glucagon: not targeted
- Amylin: targeted
Under FDA reviewRetatrutide + cagrilintide vial
Receptors
- GLP-1: targeted
- GIP: targeted
- Glucagon: targeted
- Amylin: targeted
Never studied together
Key terms
- Agonist
- A molecule that switches a receptor on.
- Dual agonist
- One molecule that activates two different receptors, like tirzepatide.
- Triple agonist
- One molecule that activates three receptors, like retatrutide.
- Small molecule
- A drug-like compound that is not built from amino acids, like 5-Amino-1MQ.
Remember
- Semaglutide is single (GLP-1), tirzepatide dual, retatrutide triple.
- Only the branded versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide are approved.
- Never compare a research product to a branded drug.