If you’re researching weight loss injections, you’ve probably come across three names: semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide. All three are peptide-based therapies that suppress appetite and promote significant fat loss — but they work differently, produce different results, and come at different price points. Understanding those differences is critical to making the right choice for your body and your goals.

At Flow Wellness in Hamburg, NY, we offer all three. Here’s an honest breakdown of how they compare — not marketing spin, but the clinical reality our providers see every day.

Semaglutide: The Proven Workhorse

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — the same active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone your gut naturally produces after eating, which signals your brain to feel full and slows gastric emptying. Clinical trials consistently show 15–17% average body weight loss over 68 weeks.

Semaglutide has the most clinical data behind it and is well-tolerated by most patients. It’s an excellent starting point — especially if you’re new to peptide therapy or have 15–40 pounds to lose. At Flow Wellness, our semaglutide program runs $500 for 10 weeks, which works out to $50/week with full physician supervision.

Best for: First-time patients, those with 15–40 lbs to lose, patients who want the most studied option, budget-conscious individuals who still want clinical results.

Tirzepatide: The Dual-Action Upgrade

Tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound) targets two receptors: GLP-1 and GIP. The GIP receptor adds enhanced fat metabolism and improved insulin sensitivity on top of the appetite suppression you get from GLP-1 alone. Clinical trials show 20–22% average body weight loss — roughly 25–30% more than semaglutide.

Tirzepatide is our most popular program and the one we recommend for patients who want aggressive results or who have plateaued on semaglutide. At $800 for 10 weeks ($80/week), it delivers meaningfully better outcomes than semaglutide at a cost that’s still a fraction of brand-name pharmacy pricing.

Best for: Patients with 25+ lbs to lose, those who want faster results, patients with insulin resistance or prediabetes, anyone who has plateaued on semaglutide.

Retatrutide: The Next-Generation Triple Agonist

Retatrutide is the newest and most powerful option. It targets three receptors: GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon. That third receptor — glucagon — is the difference-maker. It directly stimulates fat breakdown, increases resting metabolic rate, and reduces liver fat in ways the other two peptides simply cannot. Phase 2 clinical trials showed up to 24.2% body weight loss, the highest ever recorded for a weight loss drug at the time of publication.

Retatrutide is still in clinical trials for FDA approval, but is available through compounding pharmacies under physician supervision. At Flow Wellness, it’s $900 for 10 weeks ($90/week) — our premium option for patients who want maximum results and are comfortable being on the cutting edge of metabolic medicine.

Best for: Patients with 30+ lbs to lose, those who’ve plateaued on other medications, patients with metabolic syndrome or fatty liver, anyone who wants the most advanced therapy available.

So Which One Should You Choose?

There’s no single “best” option — it depends on your weight loss goals, medical history, budget, and how your body responds. Here’s a simplified decision framework:

Choose semaglutide ($500/10 wks) if you’re starting your weight loss journey, want a well-studied option, or are budget-conscious.
Choose tirzepatide ($800/10 wks) if you want stronger results, have insulin resistance, or have plateaued on semaglutide.
Choose retatrutide ($900/10 wks) if you want maximum fat loss, have significant weight to lose, or want the most advanced peptide available.

The most important thing is to have this conversation with a provider who understands all three options and can guide you based on your specific situation — not a telehealth app that prescribes the same thing to everyone.

At Flow Wellness, every patient gets a consultation with a licensed provider who reviews your labs, health history, and goals before recommending a protocol. Call us at (716) 860-1875 or book your consultation online to get started.