A new weight-loss drug, Retatrutide, is being accessed by individuals through unofficial channels, often purchased online from sellers in countries such as China. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved the drug, which is currently in clinical trials by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
Medical professionals are expressing strong warnings about the health risks associated with using Retatrutide without doctor supervision and regulatory oversight. Concerns include uncertainty about the product's purity and the actual amount of the drug it contains. In June, six cases of acute liver toxicity were reported in Victoria, Australia, among patients who had consumed a product labelled as retatrutide.
Retatrutide is described as a "triple agonist," targeting three hormone receptors, which could potentially lead to significant weight loss. In an 80-week clinical trial, patients with severe obesity and heart disease taking the highest weekly doses reportedly achieved an average weight loss of 22%, or 55lb, according to Eli Lilly.
Despite the warnings, demand for the drug is high, with a Reddit group dedicated to it receiving over 179,000 visits weekly. Some patients, dissatisfied with legally available weight-loss drugs or unable to qualify for special access programmes, are turning to the gray market. One individual, Henry, reported losing 30lb since starting the drug, experiencing extra sensitive skin as a side-effect.