The approved GLP-1 drugs are the only options here with large, long trials behind them. Everything else has far less evidence, and that gap matters more than any dose comparison.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are approved for weight management, with step-up schedules on the label. Side effects cluster around each step, so the schedule matters.
Retatrutide and cagrilintide are still investigational. Their doses come from trials, and long-term safety data are still coming in.
AOD-9604, 5-Amino-1MQ and SLU-PP-332 have no human evidence of weight loss. Their doses are community guesswork.
Percent of starting weight lost, counting everyone who started treatment. These are separate trials with different lengths and people, not a head-to-head test.
| Drug and dose | Trial | Drug | Placebo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide 12 mg investigational | TRIUMPH-1, 80 weeks | 25.0% | 3.9% | 21.1 points |
| Tirzepatide 15 mg | SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks | 20.9% | 3.1% | 17.8 points |
| CagriSema 2.4 + 2.4 mg investigational | REDEFINE 1, 68 weeks | 20.4% | 3.0% | 17.4 points |
| Semaglutide 7.2 mg | STEP UP, 72 weeks | 18.7% | 3.9% | 14.8 points |
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg | STEP 1, 68 weeks | 14.9% | 2.4% | 12.5 points |
| Compound | Evidence | Common dose | Frequency | Cycle, first 26 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonist | Approved drug | 0.25 → 2.4 mg weekly | Once weekly | Continuous |
| TirzepatideDual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist | Approved drug | 2.5 → 15 mg weekly | Once weekly | Continuous |
| RetatrutideGIP / GLP-1 / glucagon triple agonist | Human studies | 2 → 12 mg weekly | Once weekly | Continuous |
| CagrilintideLong-acting amylin analog | Human studies | 0.25 → 2.4 mg weekly | Once weekly | Continuous |
| TesamorelinGHRH analog | Approved drug | 1–2 mg daily | Once daily | Continuous |
| AOD9604Modified growth hormone fragment | Human studies | 300 mcg daily | Once daily | 12 weeks on, 4 off |
| 5-Amino-1MQNNMT inhibitor (small molecule) | Preclinical | No set injectable dose | Once daily | 8 weeks on, 4 off |
| SLU-PP-332Estrogen-related receptor agonist (small molecule) | Preclinical | 500 mcg–1 mg daily | 1–2× daily | 8 weeks on, 4 off |
| L-CarnitineFatty-acid transport cofactor | Approved drug | 500 mg IM, 3× weekly | Daily or 3× per week | 12 weeks on, 4 off |
Each draw is worked out for the vial and water shown. The calculator can plan a whole run, including how many vials it takes.
| Period | Dose | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–44 doses | 0.25 mg | 5 units |
| Weeks 5–84 doses | 0.5 mg | 10 units |
| Weeks 9–124 doses | 1 mg | 20 units |
| Weeks 13–164 doses | 1.7 mg | 34 units |
| Week 17 onmaintenance, ongoing | 2.4 mg | 48 units |
Mixed as 10 mg + 2 mL (5 mg/mL). One vial holds 40 doses at 0.25 mg, or 4 at 2.4 mg.
Step up every 4 weeks. A step can wait 4 more weeks if it isn’t tolerated. Adults who tolerate 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks may go to 7.2 mg.
| Period | Dose | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–44 doses | 2.5 mg | 10 units |
| Weeks 5–84 doses | 5 mg | 20 units |
| Weeks 9–124 doses | 7.5 mg | 30 units |
| Weeks 13–164 doses | 10 mg | 40 units |
| Weeks 17–204 doses | 12.5 mg | 50 units |
| Week 21 onmaximum, ongoing | 15 mg | 60 units |
Mixed as 50 mg + 2 mL (25 mg/mL). One vial holds 20 doses at 2.5 mg, or 3 at 15 mg.
Go up 2.5 mg at a time, each after at least 4 weeks. Maintenance is 5, 10 or 15 mg, chosen by response and tolerability; the label suggests a lower maintenance dose if one isn’t tolerated.
| Period | Dose | Draw |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–44 doses | 2 mg | 10 units |
| Weeks 5–84 doses | 4 mg | 20 units |
| Weeks 9–124 doses | 6 mg | 30 units |
| Weeks 13–164 doses | 9 mg | 45 units |
| Week 17 onongoing | 12 mg | 60 units |
Mixed as 40 mg + 2 mL (20 mg/mL). One vial holds 20 doses at 2 mg, or 3 at 12 mg.
Investigational. The 4 mg and 9 mg groups stopped stepping up once they reached their dose.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are most common in the weeks after a dose increase. The Wegovy label allows a step to wait 4 more weeks; the Zepbound label suggests a lower maintenance dose if a higher one isn’t tolerated.
LabelSmaller meals, stopping when full and going easy on fatty food are the usual advice during step-ups. Keep fluids up with vomiting or diarrhea: dehydration can strain the kidneys.
Fast weight loss takes some muscle with it. Obesity guidance encourages enough protein and regular strength training alongside these drugs.
Wegovy: take a missed dose if the next one is more than 48 hours away, otherwise skip it. Zepbound: take it within 4 days (96 hours), otherwise skip it.
LabelAt 0.25 mg a week, a 10 mg vial holds 40 weeks of starter doses, far past the roughly 28 days most guides allow for a mixed vial. The calculator’s supply planner counts how many vials a step-up really uses.
Tirzepatide can make birth-control pills less effective for 4 weeks after starting and after each increase. The label suggests a non-oral method or adding a barrier method.
LabelDoses tagged Community come from public dosing guides and user reports, checked against at least two of them. Those sites aren’t named here because many of them sell peptides or earn commissions on them.
Each compound’s page lists its own sources.
BPC-157, TB-500 and their blends, plus peptides aimed at joints, the gut and nerves.
GHRH analogs, ghrelin-receptor agonists, tesamorelin and IGF-1 LR3.
Copper peptides, a cosmetic peptide and the two melanotans.
Selank, Semax, their blend, Adamax, Pinealon, DSIP and Cerebrolysin.
NAD+, MOTS-c, SS-31, glutathione and the bioregulator courses.
PT-141, hCG, kisspeptin-10 and oxytocin.
Thymosin alpha-1, Thymalin, KPV and VIP.