Tirzepatide, marketed under the name Mounjaro, is a widely popular injectable weight loss medication designed to help users feel satiated for extended periods with just a weekly dose.
According to Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, the surge in demand for these weight loss injections has spawned a hazardous black market filled with unlicensed and counterfeit products that could land users in the hospital. "It's both alarming and deeply concerning to see 'Reta,' short for Retatrutide, being offered online in the UK, despite not being approved for human use," she noted.
In a significant crackdown, a medicine watchdog in Northampton recently confiscated over £250,000 in counterfeit weight-loss jabs, marking what is believed to be the largest seizure of such drugs globally. Andy Morling, head of the Criminal Enforcement Unit at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), warned, "These products are untested, unauthorized, and potentially lethal."
Morling emphasized the importance of exercising "extreme caution" when purchasing medications online, advising consumers to buy only from registered pharmacies to avoid exposure to "harmful chemicals and incorrect dosages that could dangerously interact with other medications."
"These issues not only render the products ineffective but also pose significant life-threatening risks," Morling added.
Kiran Jones has outlined five warning signs to watch for when considering injections not obtained through professional medical consultation. If you notice any of these red flags in the products you are using, discontinue use immediately and seek expert medical advice.