The drug is still going through lengthy clinical trials despite being sold by some sites
A clinical pharmacist has shared a warning over a weight loss drug being advertised for sale online in the UK(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
A clinical pharmacist has shared a warning over a weight loss drug being advertised for sale online in the UK. Retatrutide is an experimental drug and not approved for human use. Therefore, it could be incredibly dangerous, or even lethal, if consumed.
The drug, which is known as the ‘Godzilla’ of slimming jabs, is still going through lengthy clinical trials in the United States by manufacturer Eli Lilly, who are the makers of Mounjaro. Retatrutide is not expected to be available to the public until 2027, if it gets regulatory approval.
Kiran Jones from Oxford Online Pharmacy says: “It is alarming and deeply concerning to see ‘Reta’, [short for Retatrutide], being advertised for sale online in the UK.
“A quick Google for Retatrutide brings up a host of online shops where you can buy vials ready to mix with sterile water and self-inject with measuring syringes.
“These sites are clearly not pharmaceutical wholesalers and appear to be knowingly targeting the public, offering other health and nutrition products like creatine and cosmetic peptides.”
The pharmacist warned: “Product listings do have warnings like ‘For laboratory use only—not for human consumption’ and ‘Sold for research use only’ but it seems that actually anyone can make a purchase with no ID checks. Discreet packaging is also promoted. Often, product pages include mixing guides on how to reconstitute a vial of Retatrutide at home, too.”
Weight loss medication – those that are approved by regulators such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro, is only safe for use when prescribed by an authorised pharmacist or healthcare professional in the correct dosage.
Retatrutide for sale online(Image: OxfordOnlinePharmacy)
The online pharmacists say: “If you see Retatrutide for sale online (not by a registered pharmacy) or social media, or any other approved weight loss medication, you could be risking your life. There is no guarantee what you are putting into your body.”
Retatrutide will likely come in a pen injector and be delivered as a subcutaneous injection into the arm, thigh, or stomach. It is expected to be administered weekly, starting with a lower dose to minimise side effects.
Retatrutide has some common side effects, similar to Wegovy and Mounjaro, including:
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Constipation
● Diarrhoea
Retatrutide is currently in the latter stages of clinical trials (Phase 3), if it continues to do well, it could be available by 2027. It will be licensed as a prescription-only drug so will not be available over-the-counter.
In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) must review the trial data before they approve any drug. This process can take several months or even years, but it is important that drugs and medicines are checked for affordability and effectiveness.
Dr Amir Khan has warned about people using the “black market” to gain access to weight-loss injects including Mounjaro. on Lorraine last month, he said: “you mustn’t and I know people are desperate when it comes to weight loss and getting healthier. But you mustn’t get it on the black market.
“I have some patients who have got it on the black market, just syringes, they’re not even labelled and they have other thing in.” He recalled his sister, who works in A&E see to people who were sold weight loss medication which turned out to be insulin, he said “just not worth it.”