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Self-Reported Side Effects Among Reddit Users Taking Unapproved Retatrutide

Sehgal, N. K. R.; Tronieri, J. S.; Rader, B.; Ungar, L.; Guntuku, S. C.

2026-06-03 health informatics
10.64898/2026.05.28.26352819 medRxiv
Show abstract

Gray-market retatrutide use is increasing, but patient safety experiences remain poorly characterized. This cross-sectional analysis examined Reddit posts and comments from retatrutide-specific and broader peptide or weight-management communities through December 2025. A validated large language model classified self-reported retatrutide use and extracted author-attributed symptoms mapped to MedDRA Preferred Terms. Among 13,589 users reporting current use, 7,823 had at least one mapped symptom after exclusions. Unlike phase 2 trial findings dominated by gastrointestinal events, Reddit reports most often described appetite increase, fatigue, increased energy, nausea, food craving, insomnia, and elevated heart rate. Findings are hypothesis-generating and warrant pharmacovigilance attention.

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