What Is GLP-3? The Next Generation After GLP-1
"GLP-3" is a term people search when they're curious about what comes after Ozempic and Mounjaro. Here's what it really means — and the triple agonist being studied next.
Is "GLP-3" a real drug?
Short answer: not as an official name. There's no recognized medicine or hormone class called "GLP-3." The term has caught on online because people are excited about what comes after the current weight-loss and diabetes drugs. When someone says "GLP-3," they almost always mean the next, more powerful generation of these medicines — especially the experimental triple agonist drugs now in clinical trials.
From GLP-1 to triple agonists
It helps to see how these medicines have evolved. Each new step adds another hormone pathway the drug acts on:
| Generation | Acts on | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 | GLP-1 receptor | Ozempic, Wegovy (semaglutide) |
| Dual (GLP-1 + GIP) | GLP-1 and GIP | Mounjaro, Zepbound (tirzepatide) |
| Triple ("what people call GLP-3") | GLP-1, GIP and glucagon | Retatrutide (investigational) |
In plain terms: GLP-1 helps curb appetite and slows the stomach, GIP is involved in insulin and how the body handles fat, and glucagon affects how the body burns stored energy. Newer experimental drugs aim to combine these effects.
Retatrutide: the medicine people mean by "GLP-3"
Retatrutide (research code LY3437943) is the investigational drug most often described as the "next generation." Instead of one or two pathways, it's a triple agonist designed to act on GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Early and mid-stage trials have reported substantial average weight reduction, and larger Phase 3 studies are ongoing. You can read a full breakdown on our retatrutide information page.
Important note
Retatrutide is not FDA approved and is not available to be prescribed through Rx.com. Trial results are reported for education only and are not a promise of how an approved product would work or be dosed. Never buy investigational drugs from unverified online sellers.
What you can actually get today
While the "triple agonist" generation is still being studied, several FDA-approved weight-management medicines already exist, including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). A licensed provider can help you decide whether any of these are right for you, based on your health and goals.
Explore your weight-loss options
Learn about the next generation, or connect with a provider about treatments available now.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a GLP-3 drug?
There's no officially recognized class of medication called "GLP-3." The term is used informally for the next step beyond GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) and GLP-1/GIP drugs (like Mounjaro). The medicine most often discussed is retatrutide, an investigational triple agonist that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. It is not FDA approved.
What's the difference between GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon?
GLP-1 helps reduce appetite and slows stomach emptying. GIP is involved in insulin release and how the body handles fat. Glucagon plays a role in how the body uses stored energy. Newer experimental drugs like retatrutide are designed to act on more than one of these pathways at once.
Is retatrutide the same as a GLP-3?
Not exactly. Retatrutide is a "triple agonist," meaning it targets three receptors rather than being a single new "GLP-3" hormone. Some people loosely call it a GLP-3 because it's seen as the next generation, but that's not an official medical term.
Is retatrutide available now?
No. Retatrutide is investigational and not FDA approved. It's still being studied in clinical trials and isn't available through Rx.com. Several FDA-approved weight-management medicines do already exist, and a licensed provider can help you understand your options.
Last updated: June 11, 2026