Public warned not to take unapproved weight-loss drug

A leading obesity consultant has warned that hospitals are witnessing an increase in patients experiencing side effects from an unapproved weight-loss drug called Retatrutide. The injectable peptide is currently under clinical trials by Eli Lilly but is being illegally sold online and on social media. Despite its unapproved status, the drug is being used by gym-goers, often under personal trainers' advice, without proper information about potential side effects.

Professor Donal O'Shea reported a case where a patient, who used Retatrutide twice a week, ended up in the hospital with vomiting and kidney disease. Common side effects of the drug include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, as well as effects on the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. Some patients may not disclose their use of Retatrutide due to embarrassment.

Online fitness coach Shauna Louise Cleary stopped taking the drug after experiencing severe nausea and vomiting, even after increasing her dosage. Eli Lilly has called on social media platforms to stop enabling the illegal market for Retatrutide and take steps to block its promotion. Meta, TikTok, and other platforms have banned advertisements and promotion of the drug, but some accounts continue to evade restrictions.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority has seen an upward trend in the number of illegitimate social media pages selling weight-loss drugs.