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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Melissa Davey Medical editor

UNCOVERED: Peptide user tore oesophagus after using counterfeit product australian regulator warns - Caught on Camera

Different medical ampules toned blue on black background.
The TGA says it obtained a sample of the product used by the patient, which contained a different peptide that also targets hunger, called semaglutide, and no retatrutide. Photograph: Aivolie/Getty Images

A patient who tore their oesophagus after taking a counterfeit version of an experimental weight loss drug has prompted Australia’s medicines regulator to warn of serious risks of such products.

The concern relates to retatrutide, a type of drug known as a peptide. Retatrutide has not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or regulators overseas, and it cannot be legally prescribed or sold in Australia.

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