Latvia’s State Agency of Medicines (SAM) and the Health Inspectorate have issued a public warning after an adolescent required treatment at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital following the use of a weight-loss product purchased online.

The authorities urge the public not to buy unregistered medicinal products via the internet, warning that such products may pose serious health risks.

According to the State Agency of Medicines, the product’s label listed retatrutide as its active ingredient. However, retatrutide is not authorised for use in Latvia or elsewhere in the European Union. The substance is currently being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials, meaning its safety profile, approved indications and appropriate patient population have not yet been established.

The medicine is currently being studied only in adults with metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Authorities also stress that the product purchased online is unlikely to be the same substance used in the clinical trials, as investigational medicines are available exclusively within authorised research studies.

The State Agency of Medicines warns that consumers purchasing medicines from unverified websites cannot know whether a product actually contains the stated ingredient, whether the concentration is accurate, or whether it contains other undeclared substances or harmful impurities. 

The composition, quality and safety of such products have not been verified, and counterfeit medicines are also a significant risk.

The use of unregistered or counterfeit medicines can lead to serious adverse health effects, including allergic reactions, infections, hormonal disturbances, cardiac arrhythmias, and damage to the liver and pancreas.

The agency advises the public to purchase medicines only from licensed online pharmacies, which can be identified by the common EU logo for authorised internet pharmacies.

In Latvia, only non-prescription medicines may be legally sold through licensed online pharmacies.

The authorities emphasise that products promoted on the internet are not necessarily safe and urge consumers to verify the legitimacy of any online pharmacy before making a purchase.

29.06.2026.