A health alert has been issued after six Victorians developed liver damage after using an unapproved peptide.
Since January this year six cases of acute liver injury have been detected in Victoria by people who have used the unapproved peptide product labelled as Retatrutide.
Since January 2026, there have been six cases of acute liver injury in Victoria in people who have used an unapproved peptide product, labelled as Retatrutide. Victorian Health Department
The experimental peptide is being clinically trialled for obesity and diabetes management and is not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or any other international regulatory agencies.
But health officials believe versions of the product, which may be counterfeit, are being sold online under labels Retatrutide, Reta, R-10 and R-20.
“We don’t think this particular drug is safe to use at the moment,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay said.
“We don’t know what’s in it, so people are taking a risk that if they buy it and they use it, that it could contain contaminants. It may not be what they think it is.”
The health department is investigating whether contaminants in the products used by affected patients may have worsened the impact on their livers.
“This particular situation we’re more concerned about contamination of the product, but we don’t yet know that so we’ve put out an alert just to warn people.”
Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay warned the community not to buy or use the unapproved peptide product Retatrutide. 9News
People who have bought Retatrutide should not use the product and should throw it out safely, McElnay warned.
Anyone who develops unusual symptoms including tiredness, abdominal pain, itchy skin, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin and easy bruising after using the products should seek medical attention.
Similar cases been reported in other states, the Department said.
The TGA last month issued a warning about the risks of using unapproved peptides ordered online.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are organic compounds found in proteins, that can mimic or stimulate natural biological processes.
In Australia, most peptides, such as GLP-1s and insulin, are prescribed medications and should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Yet unapproved peptides have recently exploded in popularity on social media for their supposed aesthetic and health benefits, leading to stark health warnings.
The TGA warns unapproved peptides carry signficant health risks including contamination, infection, local tissue damage and potentially life-threatening reactions.
The Victorian Poisons Information Centre can be contacted 24/7 on 13 11 26 to provide more information about poisons and what to do in suspected cases of poisonings linked to this product.
“Our key message for Retatrutide is do not buy this product, do not use this product,” McElnay said.