Category
Fat loss
The best-funded, most rigorously trialed category here by a wide margin. GLP-1/GIP-class drugs (semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide) have large randomized controlled trials behind them, alongside older, less successful compounds (AOD-9604) and GH-axis approaches (tesamorelin).
Category primer
Don't lump this category in with the rest of the wiki on evidence. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved drugs with some of the largest, best-run clinical trials of anything discussed here. Retatrutide is investigational but has genuine Phase 2/3 data. AOD-9604 actually failed its efficacy trial, a useful reminder that 'sold as a fat-loss peptide' doesn't mean 'shown to cause fat loss.'
PEPTIDES in this category
-
5-Amino-1MQ
NNMT inhibitor that redirects nicotinamide into NAD+ synthesis. Popular in biohacker circles, backed by zero human trials.
Research chemical -
Adipotide
Proapoptotic peptide that kills off adipose-tissue blood vessels; pulled from development after it damaged kidneys in human trials.
Discontinued (Phase 1 nephrotoxicity) -
AICAR
AMPK activator marketed as 'exercise in a pill.' WADA-banned in sport, not FDA-approved for anything.
Research chemical -
AOD-9604
A growth hormone fragment engineered to isolate the fat-burning effect and drop HGH's blood sugar and tissue growth effects. Trialed for obesity, never reached market.
Failed efficacy trial -
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin agonist that adds synergistic weight loss on top of GLP-1 drugs.
Investigational (Phase 3) -
Liraglutide
First-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist, FDA-approved for weight loss (Saxenda) and diabetes (Victoza) with well-established safety and efficacy.
FDA-approved (2014 for diabetes, 2016 for weight loss) -
Mazdutide
Dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist in Phase 3 trials showing 15-20% weight loss with metabolic benefits beyond weight reduction.
Investigational (Phase 3) -
Pancragen
Organ-targeted peptide bioregulator designed to support pancreatic function and glucose metabolism.
Approved in Russia -
Retatrutide
Investigational triple-hormone-receptor agonist with the largest weight-loss effect of any GLP-1-class compound tested so far. Not FDA-approved.
Investigational (Phase 3) -
Semaglutide
Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist that kicked off the modern GLP-1 weight-loss era. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
FDA-approved -
Survodutide
Boehringer Ingelheim's GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist in Phase 3, showing 17-22% weight loss with a cardiovascular outcomes trial underway.
Investigational (Phase 3) -
Tesamorelin
FDA-approved GHRH analog specifically approved for reducing visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, used off-label more broadly for visceral fat reduction and as a growth-hormone secretagogue.
FDA-approved -
Tirzepatide
A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that generally outperforms semaglutide for weight loss in head-to-head trials. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
FDA-approved
POPULAR stacks in this category
- Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin — Same idea as CJC-1295 + ipamorelin, but with an FDA-approved GHRH backbone.
- Cagrilintide + Semaglutide (CagriSema) — The one stack on this list with real trial data behind it.
- Retatrutide + Cagrilintide — Two trial drugs nobody has actually combined yet.