Doctor's serious warning over ‘world's most powerful weight loss drug’ as users share ‘unbearable’ side effect

The 'world's most powerful' weight loss jab might be as much as three times as powerful as its competitors, but a doctor has issued a stern warning over its usage.

Retatrutide, which has not yet been approved by the FDA or any other major regulatory body worldwide, is an experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company - the makers of Mounjaro.

Yet, people ave managed to get hold of unapproved versions of the medication, which promises to target three different hormone receptors which will suppress appetite and increase fat burning, and some have reported 'unbearable' side effects.

It's already been dubbed the 'Godzilla of weight loss', since the more typically known medications target just one hormone receptor and, as it enters phase three of clinical trials, it's probably only a matter of time until it enters the market.

However, a doctor on TikTok has now raised a serious warning about the drug as media coverage of the 'miracle' medication continues to grow.

Dr Chris Raynor said: "Retatrutide is still in clinical trials, meaning real world crash test results aren't in yet. Unlike established medications or surgeries, the downside can hit where you least expect - your overall durability and function.

"Here is a fact. More advanced doesn't always mean better. The extra receptors targeted by these new triple agonists add complexity and possible side effects. Start by challenging flashy marketing and influencer advice and stick to regulated channels."

The doctor certainly isn't wrong, as we should always stick to medical and expert advice rather than the opinions of those on social media, especially after several TikTok users were banned last year for illegally advertising the weight loss drugs.

There is a lot of hope for Retatrutide of course, and while there are many benefits to the other GLP-1 medications, they do come with side effects and you'd expect a stronger version of them to pose other potential problems.

Professor Ania Jastreboff, lead investigator on the trial at Yale School of Medicine, added: "Obesity is a chronic disease, and people living with obesity deserve treatment options that match the complex biology of their neurometabolic disease.

"It was impressive to see that every dose of Retatrutide resulted in clinically meaningful weight reduction for nearly all participants, and people with severe obesity on the highest dose lost on average 30 percent of their body weight over two years.

"Importantly, treatment with Retatrutide not only resulted in robust weight reduction, but also in clear improvements in assessed cardiometabolic health measures.

"For patients I see in clinic, Retatrutide may potentially be a highly impactful future tool to treat their obesity and transform their health trajectory."

‘Unbearable’ side effect of Retatrutide described by users

It isn't just doctors who've passed on warnings, though, but people who have claimed to have used the drug as well.

One Reddit user said they had been 'unable to experience joy or happiness' since taking Retatrutide, saying it was 'unbearable'.

Another added: "I became much more anxious, emotionally flat, depressed, irritable/angry, and just not like myself mentally."

These feelings might be linked to a condition called anhedonia, which leads to struggles in feeling happiness or pleasure.

However, anhedonia is not an officially recognised side effect of Retatrutide, and there is no proof that the drug directly causes it at present.

In Phase Two trial data, the most commonly reported adverse effects for the drug included:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite

In a statement given to LADbible Group, Eli Lilly and Company explained: “Retatrutide is an investigational molecule and cannot legally be sold to the public. It has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory agency in the world.

“No one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrutide outside of a Lilly-sponsored clinical trial.

“The company continues to warn the public about the potential dangers of fake medicines.

“Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority.

“We take reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) should only be used when prescribed by a healthcare professional.

“We encourage patients to consult their doctor or other healthcare professional regarding any side effects they may be experiencing and to ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.

“Side effects or adverse events should be reported to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme.”

Ever since celebrities started showing off their significant weight loss, GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, have become commonplace across the world.

Although they were initially designed as treatments to Type 2 diabetes, they have since switched their focus to weight loss, with Wegovy even available on the NHS to those who meet strict restrictions.