“Gray market” retatrutide poses serious health risks, experts say, while legitimate retatrutide under clinical investigation appears to be generally safe.
Bootleg Retatrutide Poses Serious Health Risks
Experts warn that buying retatrutide from a vendor that isn’t legally permitted to sell it could be dangerous. “If you’re buying a drug through illegitimate channels, you may run into quality control issues,” says DeCotiis. A contaminated product could be harmful.
“There’s no guarantee that what the retailer says the drug contains is actually in it,” says Davis.
You could also end up receiving a product with an incorrect dosage, which could pose additional health risks.
What’s more, since you’re getting this medication without a prescription, “There’s no medical oversight if you develop complications like severe GI effects, pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, dehydration, or dangerous drug interactions,” says Dr. Snyder. “You assume medical, quality, and legal risks without any of the safeguards that are built into regulated care.”
Weight loss medications should be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider, which isn’t available when you purchase retatrutide from the gray market. “You need to be monitored,” says DeCotiis.
Legitimate Retatrutide Is Generally Safe, Studies Show
Late-stage clinical research studies have shown that the retatrutide manufactured by Eli Lilly is generally safe.
Additionally, about 11 percent of study participants on the highest dose discontinued the medication because of side effects. A number dropped out because they thought they were losing too much weight.
Some experts are also worried about the possible effects of retatrutide’s very rapid and dramatic weight loss.
“There’s a concern that there may be a greater likelihood of bone fractures,” says Snyder.
These risks may not be deal breakers for people with severe obesity, for whom the benefits of retatrutide may outweigh the risks. Experts emphasize the importance of ongoing communication with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medication and doses depending on a person’s individual needs.
Research studies underway may also help shed more light on best practices for prescribing retatrutide. “We need to better understand how the dosing and dose intervals affect all of the above risks and results,” says Snyder.
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