Counterfeit Retatrutide: What to Know About Fake and Unapproved Products

Retatrutide — an injectable medication sometimes called “reta” online — has attracted a lot of media and public attention, even though it isn’t available yet. This is because promising clinical trial results have increased interest in its potential for weight loss.

At the same time, knock-off products claiming to contain retatrutide have appeared for sale online. But there’s no reliable way to confirm what these products contain or how they’re made. There have even been reports of these products potentially being linked to two deaths.

Thinking about buying retatrutide online? Here’s how to understand the claims sellers make and what to do if you’ve already purchased or used one of these products.

What is retatrutide?

Retatrutide is an investigational, once-weekly injectable medication developed by Eli Lilly. It activates three hormone binding sites: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon. Because of this, it’s sometimes called a “triple agonist.”

Through these actions, retatrutide may:

• Help the pancreas release insulin when blood glucose (sugar) is elevated

• Reduce sugar production in the liver

• Slow the movement of food out of the stomach

• Lessen appetite and increase feelings of fullness

• Increase the amount of energy the body uses

Researchers are studying retatrutide for weight loss, Type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions. So far, results have been promising but research is still ongoing.

What does ‘counterfeit retatrutide’ mean?

A counterfeit medication is made or labeled to look like an authentic product. It may contain the wrong ingredient, an incorrect amount of an ingredient, or no active ingredient at all. It may also contain harmful contaminants.

In the case of retatrutide, there’s no FDA-approved commercial product for a seller to copy. Products marketed as “retatrutide” may be fake, illegally marketed, or otherwise unsafe. Even if testing suggests that a product contains retatrutide, it would still be an unapproved medication made outside of Eli Lilly’s clinical trial program.

Why are fake and unapproved retatrutide products concerning?

The biggest concern with fake and unapproved retatrutide products is that you may not know what you’re buying or injecting. That creates several risks, including:

• These products haven’t undergone FDA review. Unapproved drug products haven’t gone through FDA review to determine that they work, are safe, and meet certain quality standards.

• The contents of these products may not match the label. Products may contain the wrong ingredient, an unexpected amount, or no retatrutide at all. For example, other countries have found counterfeit retatrutide that contained semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) instead — in amounts 8 times higher than commercially-available medications.

• Quality and sterility may be uncertain. Products may contain impurities, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

• The dosage instructions may be unreliable. There’s no FDA-approved retatrutide dosage or prescribing information. Instructions provided by a seller aren’t a substitute for an FDA-reviewed medication label.

• Some products aren’t intended for people to use. The FDA has also warned of companies selling people unapproved retatrutide products labeled “for research-use only” or “not for human consumption.”

Can you buy real retatrutide online?

Retatrutide is still in development, and is currently available only to eligible participants in authorized clinical trials or expanded access programs. So “real” retatrutide is not available to buy online, from a pharmacy, or through a telehealth service.

Currently, any retatrutide product sold directly to people is unapproved. This remains true even if:

• A healthcare professional prescribes it

• It’s a compounded product from a pharmacy

• The website displays a certificate of analysis

• The label says it was tested by an independent laboratory

• The product is described as “research grade” or “for research purposes”

Keep in mind that a certificate or laboratory report may not be authentic. And even legitimate testing of one sample doesn’t guarantee that every vial has the same contents, potency, or purity.

Can retatrutide be compounded?

No, the FDA has stated that retatrutide can’t be used in compounding under federal law. This is because retatrutide isn’t used in an FDA-approved medication or included in recognized standards or federal lists for compounding.

Plus, there’s another potential barrier: retatrutide could be regulated as a biologic. Because of its structure and molecule size, Eli Lilly plans to seek approval through a biologic license application. Federal law doesn’t allow biologics to be compounded.

Compounded medications, which are custom-made medications by compounding pharmacies, can meet important medical needs in certain situations. But their ingredients must still meet federal compounding requirements, and retatrutide doesn’t qualify.

How can you recognize fake or unapproved retatrutide?

Any retatrutide product currently offered for sale is unapproved. With that in mind, you don’t need to determine whether the product is “real” before deciding not to use it. Even so, common warning signs include:

• The product is sold through social media, an online marketplace, or a peptide website.

• It’s advertised as “reta,” “GLP-3,” or another alternative name.

• The label says “research-use only” or “not for human consumption.”

• The seller calls it compounded, generic, or equivalent to the retatrutide used in clinical trials.

• It comes as a powder that must be mixed with bacteriostatic water before injection.

• No prescription or medical screening is required.

• The website promises unusually fast results or offers prices that seem too good to be true.

• The label has spelling mistakes, missing instructions, or pharmacy information that can’t be verified.

What should you do if you bought or used fake retatrutide?

If you bought a product claiming to contain retatrutide, it’s best not to inject or use it. If you’ve already used it, don’t take another dose without talking to a healthcare professional.

Take the following steps:

• Contact a healthcare professional or Poison Control. Tell them what and how much you used, when you used it, and whether you’re experiencing side effects. You can reach Poison Control by calling 1-800-222-1222.

• Get emergency help for severe symptoms. Call 911 for trouble breathing, a seizure, loss of consciousness, or other life-threatening reactions.

• Keep the product information. Save the packaging, label, receipt, and any messages from the seller. These details may help your healthcare team or the FDA identify the product.

• Report the product to the FDA. You can report side effects and quality problems through MedWatch. You can also report a website that may be selling retatrutide illegally.

If you’re interested in retatrutide, ask your healthcare professional if you may qualify for a clinical trial or expanded access program. They can also discuss similar FDA-approved weight-loss medications that may be appropriate for you now.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD, MWC

Christina Aungst, PharmD, MWC is a senior pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019.

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