People are already taking this new, unapproved drug to lose weight

Such endorsements abound online. Other Rita boosters also point to its purported ability to reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol. (Some clinical literature has suggested the potential of GLP-1 drugs in treating addiction, due to their ability to rewire dopamine signals in the brain.) Less desirable side effects, in trials and anecdotally, include low energy, dizziness, skin hypersensitivity (a form of extreme sensitivity to touch), and decreased libido.

Eli Lilly, the drug’s manufacturer, is currently completing phase III trials. If all goes according to plan, FDA approval should follow, and marketing could be possible by late 2026 or early 2027, based on timelines for other drugs in this class. In a statement to WIRED, Lilly spokesperson Nikki Pirro noted that due to its effectiveness, retaretide is currently targeted at “those with a high BMI or with obesity-related complications that require a high degree of weight loss, where the clinical need may be greater.”

Biro also warns, “Retatrotide is an investigational molecule that is only legally available to participants in Lilly clinical trials. Anyone claiming to sell retatrotide for human use is breaking the law, and no one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrotide outside of Lilly-sponsored clinical trials.” When WIRED brought this up to Terry, he reiterated that the products are not intended for human consumption. “It’s for research purposes only,” he says. “It’s all over the site.”

Suffice it to say that online retailers potentially risk violating patents protected by pharmaceutical companies. In fact, Dresser says producers of such chemicals can learn about a drug’s molecular structure by referring to patent documents submitted by drug sponsors to regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration.

When reached for comment, the US Food and Drug Administration indicated Past warnings Issued against companies that sell retatrotide. “These products were sold directly to consumers for human use with dosing instructions,” the FDA statement to WIRED reads. “The agency urges consumers not to purchase these products of unknown quality that may harm their health.”

Pending FDA approval, the drug is likely to find a thriving online market, where it is being investigated by users looking to jump-start weight loss or accelerate reductions, and is supplied by middle-man retailers such as Jake Terry. “The only reason I did it was to make it more accessible,” Terry says. “If I can help people become healthier, that’s my goal.”