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Health authorities have issued an urgent warning after six confirmed cases of Victorians being left with acute liver poisoning from taking an illegal peptide advertised for weight loss.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay said on Friday it was believed the patients became seriously unwell after using an unapproved peptide product labelled as Retatrutide.
Retatrutide is an experimental weight loss drug not approved for sale as a safe medical product in Australia.
It is marketed widely online for muscle growth, fat loss, recovery and anti-ageing.
McElnay said that since January this year, the Victorian Health Department had been notified of six cases of people becoming seriously unwell and experiencing acute liver toxicity linked to injecting Retatrutide.
She said investigations were ongoing, and it was believed similar cases had also been reported across Australia.
“These products have been purchased online, through friends and through social media accounts,” the alert said.
“These toxic effects are possibly associated with a contaminant in the products labelled as ‘Retatrutide’ and all such products are at risk.
“Unapproved peptide products, particularly those that are injected, carry significant safety risks, including contamination, infection or local tissue damage.”
Gastroenterologist Darcy Holt treated one of the patients who suffered acute liver toxicity after using peptides.
The young man arrived at a Melbourne hospital emergency department with abdominal pain, and blood tests revealed he had elevated liver enzymes. He had been using Retatrutide along with other peptides.
“I am surprised people are prepared to inject these substances,” said Holt, who works across a number of Melbourne hospitals. “They think they are natural.”
Holt said that while the patient made a full recovery, others may not be so lucky.
“If the liver injury is severe, the liver can fail, and they might need a liver transplant.”
The warning comes amid a surge of Victorians landing in emergency departments after suffering severe side effects linked to illegal peptides, including vomiting, abdominal cramping and chest pains that mirror heart attacks.
This masthead has previously reported a Victorian has died after using the substances and doctors warned that contaminated peptides were fuelling a surge of serious skin infections which resulted in skin grafts and even amputations.
Social media influencers have spruiked the use of injectable peptides for everything from weight loss and body building to skin improvements.
Acute liver toxicity is a rapid inflammation or damage to the liver caused by harmful substances. It can occur within days or weeks of exposure and in severe cases, or if not treated in time, it can trigger acute liver failure.
Australia’s drug watchdog, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), also sounded the alarm and on Friday the nation’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, said unapproved, black-market peptides posed a growing public health risk.
“Some of these products have not undergone sufficient human clinical trials and may cause significant harm,” Kidd said.
“Australians should not use these products and should seek advice from their trusted healthcare professional.”
Earlier this month, the TGA officially deemed illegal peptides a compliance priority and vowed to crack down on unlawful importation and online promotion of the substances.
Australia’s acting chief medical adviser Dr Amanda Cuss said the TGA is monitoring and responding to potential non-compliance.
“Where serious non-compliance is identified, the TGA may take regulatory action,” she said.
The Victorian Health Department urged anyone who develops unusual or concerning symptoms, in particular tiredness, abdominal pain, itchy skin, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin and easy bruising after using these products should seek medical immediately.
The Victorian Poisons Information Centre can be contacted 24/7 on 13 11 26 to provide information and advice about what to do in suspected cases of poisonings.
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Melissa Cunningham is a health reporter for The Age. She has previously covered crime and justice.Connect via X or email.
Henrietta Cook is a senior reporter covering health for The Age. Henrietta joined The Age in 2012 and has previously covered state politics, education and consumer affairs.Connect via X, Facebook or email.From our partners
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