New weight loss drug ‘Reta’ is a lot stronger than Ozempic - but there’s a catch

We've all heard of Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy by now - but did you know there's reportedly an even stronger weight loss drug on the way?

Commonly referred to as 'the triple G' or 'Reta,' retatrutide is gaining attention around the world because it could allegedly support weight loss by targeting three hormone pathways.

It's said to be stronger than other weight loss drug options, which makes it attractive to those hoping to shed the pounds.

However, 'Reta,' which actually comes from the same manufacturers of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, is not currently approved for use and hasn't been released to the public.

It's an experimental injection that is still in the later stages of phase three clinical trials, so it’s not yet available to buy or on the NHS.

And because it remains in clinical trials and is not approved for use, any sale to consumers is illegal.

But this hasn't stopped counterfeit versions from being widely promoted on social media, as reported by the Guardian, so it's important not to buy this drug online.

'Reta' is thought to be stronger than the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro (Getty Stock Image)

What is retatrutide?

To break it down, as per ASDA Online Doctor, retatrutide is the active ingredient in a new, once-weekly injection for weight loss and type 2 diabetes that is currently being developed.

As we say, it's known as a triple hormone receptor agonist because it mimics the actions of three hormones that control appetite and blood glucose levels: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon.

Because of its ability to act on the receptors of these three hormones, it has a big effect on appetite and blood sugar management, and is expected to be more effective than other common weight loss drugs.

Trials are reportedly expected to be completed in May 2026 and so it's unlikely to become available before 2027.

Have people been taking retatrutide?

As we say, retatrutide is currently unavailable for weight loss as it hasn't passed all of it's clinical trials yet, so realistically, no one should be taking it. However, reports have been popping up all over social media of people trying it out.

One woman recently told Metro of how she's been buying it illegally from unlicensed suppliers due to 'incredible effects' she's heard about from others.

Dr Helen Wall, from the Oaks Family Practice in Bolton, told the publication: "It’s certainly not just a stronger version of Ozempic and Mounjaro. It’s working on a different pathway, so that needs exploration in terms of, what the safety is, what the risks are and what the side effects are.

The drug has not been approved for use yet (Getty Stock Image)

“It’s been developed by Eli Lilly, who are a reputable, well-known pharmaceutical company, so ultimately, it may well end up on the market, but at the moment it’s still in clinical trials."

However, it's impossible to know whether the drug she bought is actually the Eli Lilly drug that's being tested, due to all of the knock offs floating around.

As per Business Insider, some people are buying powder labeled 'reta' or 'ret' online from research labs, which are legally allowed to manufacture compounds for research only.

The publication also reports that doctors warning their patients that they have no idea what they are getting and unregulated drugs are often inconsistently dosed and have been found to carry contaminants like formaldehyde.

Eli Lilly told Business Insider in a statement: "Anyone purporting to sell retatrutide for human use is breaking the law. No one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrutide outside of a Lilly-sponsored clinical trial."

A spokesperson for Eli Lilly told Tyla: "Retatrutide is an investigational molecule that Lilly is studying for the treatment of obesity – it is in phase 3 clinical trials and is not available to patients outside of these trials. Retatrutide has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory agency anywhere in the world, and therefore at this time no one can sell retatrutide for human use. Any product falsely representing itself as a Lilly investigational product not yet approved by regulators may expose patients to potentially serious health risks."