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How to store retatrutide

How to store retatrutide

Navin Khosla NowPatientGreen tick
Created on 20 Feb 2025
Updated on 20 Feb 2025

A new addition to the GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide 1) medication group is retatrutide. Retatrutide is not yet FDA approved, but like many GLP-1 agonists such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), retatrutide will most likely be a weekly injection, delivered subcutaneously into the arm, thigh or stomach area in a self-inject pen. The exact storage procedure of retatrutide is still unknown, but it will most likely follow the same required storage conditions as other weight loss injections. Lets take a look at the best way to store retatrutide.

🌡️ Storing retatrutide: Refrigeration and room temperature

To ensure the efficacy and safety of retatrutide, proper storage is crucial. The storage requirements for retatrutide depend on whether the medication is in use or not.

Storage of unopened retatrutide pens

If you have unopened retatrutide pens, it is essential to follow the recommended storage guidelines to maintain their effectiveness. Unopened retatrutide pens should be stored in the refrigerator, between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). It is best to keep the pens in their original carton to protect them from light.

Storing retatrutide at room temperature

Under certain circumstances, you may need to store retatrutide at room temperature. If you plan to travel and do not have access to a refrigerator, you can keep the retatrutide pen at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for a maximum of 21 days. However, if you store the pen at room temperature, it should not be returned to the refrigerator. After 21 days at room temperature, any unused retatrutide pens should be discarded.

Important considerations for retatrutide storage

To ensure the safety and effectiveness of retatrutide, it is crucial to keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Avoid freezing: Retatrutide pens should never be frozen. If a pen has been frozen, it should be discarded, and a new pen should be used
  • Check for damage: Before using a retatrutide pen, it is essential to inspect it carefully. If the pen is damaged, it should not be used, and a new pen should be obtained
  • Proper labelling: When storing retatrutide pens, ensure that they are properly labelled to avoid confusion with other medications or products
  • Keep out of reach: Retatrutide pens should be stored out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse

By following these storage guidelines, you can ensure the optimal effectiveness and safety of retatrutide.

🖊️ Protecting and disposing of retatrutide pens

Proper storage and disposal of retatrutide pens are essential to maintain their integrity and to ensure the safety of others. Here are some guidelines to follow:

How to store your retatrutide pens

To protect the effectiveness of retatrutide pens, follow these storage recommendations:

  • Store your pens in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
  • If necessary, you may store your pen at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 21 days. However, once stored at room temperature, the pen should not be returned to the refrigerator
  • Discard any retatrutide pens that have not been used within 21 days after removing them from the refrigerator
  • Avoid freezing the pens as this can compromise their effectiveness
  • Always store your pen in its original carton to protect it from light
  • Handle the pen with care. If the pen is dropped on a hard surface, it should not be used, and a new pen should be obtained
  • Keep your retatrutide pen and all medications out of the reach of children

📝 What is retatrutide?

Retatrutide is a weight loss drug that has not yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity. The compound is currently in the development pipeline, with Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind its creation, actively pursuing the next stages of the regulatory process. 2026 will be the earliest possible date doctors can prescribe retatrutide, assuming that the drug passes later-stage human trials now underway.

📝 How does retatrutide work?

Retatrutide works as a powerful triple-agonist, meaning it works on three key hormone receptors:

  • The human glucagon receptor (GCGR)
  • The glucose-dependent polypeptide receptor (GIP receptor)
  • The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1)

This unique receptor profile allows retatrutide to effectively:

  • Regulate appetite, feelings of fullness, and gastric emptying
  • Regulate metabolism
  • Regulate blood sugar levels

The activation of the GIP, GLP-1, and GCG receptors simultaneously by retatrutide leads to better weight reduction and cardiometabolic benefits compared to targeting a single receptor. GIP is involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, GLP-1 regulates insulin secretion and appetite, and GCG plays a role in fat breakdown for energy use.

Clinical trials show that retatrutide could be the most powerful drug to be developed for the treatment of obesity. A trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that retatrutide helped patients achieve significant body weight loss. The weight-loss results at 48-weeks with the 12 mg (higher dose) retatrutide group achieved a mean weight reduction of -24.2%, while the placebo group only saw a -2.1% change.

What are the side effects of retatrutide?

Currently, retatrutide is still in the testing phase, meaning a full list of side effects has not yet been released. As it will act on the GLP-1 receptor, it is likely that it may cause nausea, dizziness, or diarrhoea, but these gastrointestinal (GI) side effects usually go away as your body gets used to the treatment.

📝 Conclusion

Storing retatrutide correctly can make all the difference in the efficacy and safety of retatrutide and your weight loss journey. Always speak to your healthcare provider about the proper storage of retatrutide. A healthcare professional can also give you information on the shelf life and solubility of peptide solutions.

Sources

Medical Disclaimer

NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.

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