Peptide products

About peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Amino acids are small substances your body uses to make proteins. Proteins help your body grow, repair itself and function properly.

When amino acids join together in short chains, they form peptides.

Your body makes some of them, such as insulin and other hormones. They help control things like metabolism, appetite, hormone activity, tissue repair and growth, and skin health.

Others are made in labs and used to mimic or boost the effects of natural peptides.

Some peptide products are approved medicines. Others are unapproved products that may cause serious health problems.

Safe approved peptide medicines

Some peptide medicines, including insulin, semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), are safe and effective when prescribed by a doctor and used as directed. They help people manage diabetes, maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of heart disease.

In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) must approve medicines before they’re sold.

Look for an AUST R or AUST L number on the packaging. You can check these numbers on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Risks of unapproved peptides

Unapproved peptide products can cause serious health problems. Many haven't been tested in people, so there's little information about their safety, the right dose or how they might interact with other medicines.

Some people who have used or injected these products have had serious health issues including:

• infections and tissue damage
• liver damage
• severe allergic reactions
• prolonged vomiting.

Some of these cases have needed medical treatment in hospital.

Unknown ingredients and quality

The TGA hasn't assessed unapproved peptide products for safety, quality or effectiveness.

These products may:

• have too much, too little or none of the ingredients listed on the label
• have different ingredients or harmful substances
• not be sterile, increasing the risk of infection if injected
• vary in quality between batches.

Claims about weight loss, muscle growth, injury recovery, athletic performance, tanning and anti-ageing may also lack scientific evidence.

Protecting yourself from unsafe peptides

If you're using or thinking about using peptide products:

• talk to your GP - ask about the benefits, risks, evidence and possible interactions with other medicines
• don't use products you're unsure about - talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking another dose, even if you feel well
• tell your health professional what you've used - include the product name, dose, when and how you used it, and any other medicines or substances you take
• tell your doctor before surgery - some peptides can affect how your body responds to anaesthesia
• don't share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment - sharing equipment can spread infections, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Only use peptide products prescribed by a doctor and supplied by a registered Australian pharmacy. Don’t buy them from social media, informal sellers or overseas websites.

If you're worried about someone else using peptides, encourage them to talk to a GP or another health professional. Listen to them without judgement.

Buying and selling unapproved peptides

It's illegal to import, advertise, manufacture or supply unapproved peptide products in Australia without specific approval from the TGA. Products that don't meet import rules can be seized and destroyed at the border.

The TGA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are investigating practitioners who aren't meeting acceptable standards of care.

Be careful of clinics that:

• only provide peptide products
• require you to buy peptide products directly from them
• prescribe peptides without a thorough consultation.

Reporting concerns about peptides

If you think someone is illegally advertising, importing, making or selling peptide products, you can report it to the TGA.