Emerging risks of health optimisation: refractory nausea associated with peptide injections reported to contain retatrutide.

Authors

Raphael M Buzzi, Lars C Huber

Published in

BMJ case reports. Volume 19. Issue 10. Oct 07, 2026. Epub Oct 07, 2026.

Abstract

A woman in her mid-20s presented with 5 days of persistent nausea, repeated vomiting, loose stools and markedly reduced oral intake. Blood tests, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasonography and cerebral MRI identified no alternative cause. Symptoms persisted despite intravenous fluids, metoclopramide, ondansetron and domperidone. Repeated, non-judgemental exposure history revealed 4 once-weekly, dose-escalated subcutaneous injections of an unverified product reported to contain retatrutide, an investigational triple glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, administered in a wellness setting by a self-described life coach without medical qualification. She did not consider the injections to be medication. Symptoms improved 2 days after admission and resolved within 1 week. The Naranjo score (7) indicated probable causality. This case illustrates how pharmacologically active substances supplied through the wellness industry may evade routine medication history. Clinicians should ask explicitly about injections, peptides, research chemicals, online products and substances recommended by non-medical wellness practitioners.

PMID:
42843917
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Oct 2026.

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