University Of Pennsylvania

Penn researchers use AI to analyze Reddit reports on unapproved retatrutide use

University of Pennsylvania scientists analyzed roughly 150,000 Reddit posts from about 40,000 users to study self-reported effects of retatrutide, an experimental GLP-1 weight-loss drug not yet approved by regulators but obtained by some people in unapproved forms online. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that increased appetite was the most commonly reported symptom among classifiable complaints—contrary to the drug's hunger-suppressing design and the digestive issues emphasized in Phase 2 trials.

sciencedaily.com · 2026-10-22

Penn study uses AI to flag Ozempic side effects missed in trials, via Reddit data

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used AI to analyze over 400,000 Reddit posts from nearly 70,000 users discussing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. The analysis, published in Nature Health, surfaced patient-reported symptoms—particularly menstrual changes and temperature issues like chills and hot flashes—that appear underrepresented in clinical trials and regulatory data. The team stresses this doesn't prove the drugs cause these effects, but flags them as signals worth further study.

sciencedaily.com · 2026-09-13