Retatrutide weight-loss drug linked to two deaths in U.S

Reports of two deaths in the United States have raised concerns regarding the circulation of unauthorized versions of the experimental weight-loss drug Retatrutide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports involving a 41-year-old woman who experienced severe heart arrhythmia and a 49-year-old woman who suffered from extreme dehydration, malnutrition, and cardiac arrest after using products allegedly containing the substance.

Retatrutide, which is being developed by Eli Lilly, is currently in clinical trials and has not received regulatory approval for commercial sale. While a direct causal link between the products and the deaths has not been independently verified, data from U.S. poison control centers shows a significant rise in exposure cases, with 862 reported cases in the three months ending in September, up from 460 in the previous quarter.

Eli Lilly has warned that some products marketed under the drug's name may contain incorrect amounts of the active ingredient or harmful contaminants. Medical experts are urging caution against purchasing unapproved versions of the medication through online sources due to these significant health risks.