Unapproved compounded versions of the next-generation weight loss treatment Retatrutide are being openly sold through medical spas and wellness clinics in Georgia.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported on the 15th that its investigation identified 17 medical and wellness facilities in Georgia promoting the availability of Retatrutide through websites and social media.
Retatrutide is an experimental obesity treatment currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, the final stage of testing, developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. FDA approval applications are expected to take place next year.
Unlike existing semaglutide or tirzepatide classes, Retatrutide is a so-called “triple agonist” that targets three hormone receptors. In clinical trials, it has shown the potential to reduce body weight by about 28% over two years, drawing attention as a next-generation weight loss treatment.
The problem is that the products currently sold on the market are not the official products used by Eli Lilly in clinical trials. Experts have warned that some compounding pharmacies may source raw materials from abroad, making it difficult to verify whether contaminants or altered ingredients are present.
More than 70 adverse event reports related to Retatrutide have been submitted to the FDA since 2024. The most common symptoms were nausea and vomiting, while this year’s reports also included 4 deaths, 40 severe cases, and 24 hospitalizations. However, the AJC emphasized that these reports have not been verified, and it does not mean Retatrutide was the direct cause of the deaths or adverse events.
The FDA has already issued guidance stating that compounding pharmacies should not use Retatrutide to manufacture drugs since it is not approved, and has sent warning letters to related companies multiple times.
Developer Eli Lilly is also filing lawsuits against companies that sell or compound and supply Retatrutide to consumers. The company maintains that selling Retatrutide to consumers, including medspas, wellness clinics, and online vendors, is illegal.
However, active crackdowns have yet to take place in Georgia. The Georgia Medical Board and the Board of Pharmacy are aware of the issue, but enforcement has proven difficult due to a regulatory structure where the state does not separately license or regulate medspas themselves.
