Two Deaths Linked to Bootleg Versions of Experimental Weight-Loss Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating two deaths that have been linked to bootleg versions of retatrutide, an experimental weight-loss drug not yet approved for market. The medication, nicknamed "triple G" and known as "reta," is currently undergoing clinical trials.

The first reported death occurred in July. A 41-year-old woman with obesity suffered cardiac arrest. An FDA report from a healthcare professional listed retatrutide as a "suspect product," noting the medication was obtained "from an unreliable source."

In September, the agency received a second report involving a 49-year-old patient who experienced severe dehydration, malnutrition, and cardiac arrest. According to the report, a licensed nurse allegedly persuaded the patient to purchase the drug from an online peptide vendor. Images from the FDA report suggest the medication may have originated from a company called "AlphaLabs," which offers peptides for "research use only."

While the FDA has stated that it reviews adverse event reports and gathers additional information when needed, the agency generally does not comment on potential or ongoing compliance matters. The reports do not definitively confirm that the experimental drug caused either death, but they highlight the potential risks associated with obtaining unapproved medications from illicit sources.

According to Public Citizen, at least 14 individuals have been hospitalized after using gray-market versions of retatrutide. In July, Eli Lilly, the drug's developer, stated in a news release that serious heart-related reactions occurred infrequently in patients receiving retatrutide during clinical trials and that the drug reduced certain measures of cardiovascular risk.

Retatrutide targets three metabolic receptors, GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. Previous research indicated that users lost up to 28% of their body weight over an 80-week period. The drug has gained attention from various demographics, leading Eli Lilly to pursue legal action against knockoffs. The company plans to submit retatrutide for FDA approval in early 2027, with the review process potentially taking up to a year.