A powerful new weight loss injection, known on social media as 'Reta', is gaining notoriety despite not being approved for use in the UK. Individuals are sourcing the drug, officially named Retatrutide, from unlicensed online suppliers, risking their health for its purported dramatic effects.
The Social Media Phenomenon and User Risks
Retatrutide has become a viral sensation, with the hashtag #reta used over 44,000 times on TikTok and nearly 100,000 mentions on Instagram. This is despite platform rules prohibiting the promotion of prescription drugs. Users like Erin, a 33-year-old retail worker, are documenting their journeys online, drawn by claims it is far more potent than established treatments.
Erin, who started using the injections after seeing success stories online, told Metro: "It was easy enough to buy via some click through links. It costs me around £180 for 10mg which I inject a small amount of weekly." She acknowledges the danger, stating, "I know it’s a risk, but there’s been so much success on social media, it seems quite a small one."
However, medical professionals issue a starkly different warning. Retatrutide is not licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and remains in phase 3 clinical trials. Dr Helen Wall from the Oaks Family Practice in Bolton emphasises the peril: "The issue is, we don’t really know what the risks are and we don’t know the dosing either."
How Retatrutide Works and the Unknown Dangers
Retatrutide is a triple hormone receptor agonist, meaning it works on three metabolic pathways simultaneously to suppress appetite, stabilise blood sugar, and boost fat burning. This makes it pharmacologically distinct and potentially more powerful than Ozempic (a GLP-1 agonist) or Mounjaro (which works on two pathways).
Early trial data suggests users could lose nearly a third of their body weight. Yet, Dr Wall cautions that such rapid loss carries significant physical costs, including potential electrolyte imbalances and bone health issues. "Put bluntly, right now, Retatrutide is really unsafe," she states.
The list of potential side effects is concerning and includes:
- Increased heart rate and palpitations
- Risk of pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening
- Potential for kidney stones and bone fractures
- Dangerous cardiac arrhythmias due to electrolyte imbalance
Dr Wall adds, "We’ve seen plenty of patients... with life threatening pancreatitis, and sadly, some of them do die." The prevalence of counterfeit versions online further amplifies the risk, as buyers cannot be sure of the substance they are injecting.
Official Stance and Regulatory Action
The drug's developer, Eli Lilly, has confirmed that Retatrutide is an investigational molecule not available outside of clinical trials. A spokesperson for Lilly UK stated: "Any product falsely representing itself as a Lilly investigational product... may expose patients to potentially serious health risks."
In response to the trend, TikTok has reviewed and removed content violating its community guidelines and has banned the hashtag #retatrutide. Despite these actions, the conversation continues across social platforms, driven by personal testimonials.
Erin reports side effects like heart palpitations but also dramatic appetite suppression, saying the smell of cooking lasagne made her feel full. This juxtaposition of perceived benefit against severe, unknown risk encapsulates the current dilemma. Experts unanimously advise the public to avoid this unapproved drug until full trial data is published and regulatory approval is granted by the MHRA.
