Self-Reported Side Effects Among Reddit Users Taking Unapproved Retatrutide
Journal:
medRxiv
Published Date:
Jun 3, 2026
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.
