Retatrutide, an experimental loss drug being called the 'Godzilla' of weight loss jabs, has been reported to cause 129 symptoms, including burning sensation on skin, panic attack, a racing heartbeat and depression. It earned the nickname after clinical trials indicated that it could be more powerful than Ozempic and Mounjaro. The discovery has raised concerns, especially amid the growing use of the drug outside clinical trials. Retatrutide is still being studied and has not yet been approved for general use but it is being bought illegally in the UK as well as across the world. Study Identifies 129 Serious Symptoms According to Daily Mail, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, analysed 148,640 Reddit posts related to retatrutide and identified 13,589 users who claimed to be taking retatrutide and analysed the side effects they reported. Of these, 7,823 reported at least one side effect, researchers identified 129 different symptoms. The reports included physical symptoms as well as psychological complaints. But it does not prove that this weight loss drug is directly responsible for these side effects. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.Social media reports can help identify safety concerns, but they have limitations. Researchers cannot independently verify every user’s medical history, the product they took, its ingredients or whether another condition could explain their symptoms.The side effects were split into 14 different categories, including gastrointestinal problems, mental disorders, heart problems and skin changes. The most common side effect was increased appetite surprisingly which was seen in almost one in five users, affecting 1,336 people.Fatigue was the second most reported symptom, which was flagged by around 15% of the users, which means almost 1, 188 patients. Nausea, on the other hand, was on top of the list of gastrointestinal issues, affecting fewer than one in 10.Also read: 21% In 80 Weeks: Lancet Study Finds Lilly’s Retatrutide Delivers One Of The Biggest Weight Losses EverAbout RetatrutideRetatrutide is being developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly as a treatment for obesity. It works on three hormone receptors involved in regulating appetite, blood sugar and energy balance: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. The drug has attracted attention because clinical trials have shown substantial weight loss. In a Phase 2 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants receiving the highest dose lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight over 48 weeks.It also delivered nearly 21% average weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to results from a large Phase 3 trial published in The Lancet. In the TRIUMPH-2 trial, people who received the highest 12 mg dose lost an average of 20.8% of their body weight over 80 weeks, equivalent to about 49.6 pounds or 22.5 kg. However, promising results do not mean the drug is suitable for unsupervised use, especially since it is unapproved.Also read: 2 Indians Charged In US Over Fake Ozempic Scheme: How To Spot Counterfeit GLP-1 DrugsSide Effects Reported In The Clinical Trials In controlled clinical trials, the most frequently reported side effects have included nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. These gastrointestinal problems were generally more common at higher doses and during dose increases. Researchers have also reported increased heart rate and skin sensitivity in some participants. In the Phase 2 trial, adverse events related to skin sensitivity were reported in 7% of participants receiving retatrutide, compared with 1% in the placebo group. The symptoms reported in online discussions, including panic attacks and depression, require careful interpretation. Their appearance in user posts does not, by itself, prove that the drug caused them or establish how frequently they occur among people taking retatrutide under medical supervision.Retatrutide remains under study, which means its safety profile is still being assessed by researchers. Products sold online or through unlawful ways may not contain the right advertised drug. Professor Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, warned against purchasing unlicensed weight-loss products online. “I would urge people to avoid buying unlicensed weight-loss products online,” he said, according to Daily Mail. “There is no certainty about what these products contain, and without proper regulatory oversight there is a risk of adverse effects.”