Unauthorized injectable peptides and their potential serious health risks

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Regulated members are likely aware that, in Canada, it is illegal for vendors to sell unauthorized prescription medications that have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy or quality.

CPSA wishes to remind physicians and physician assistants that Health Canada has issued several warnings about unauthorized and counterfeit injectable peptide medications being sold online and in retail settings in Canada. Health Canada has seized injectable peptide products from multiple vendors that have been confirmed to be unauthorized.¹

What is the concern?

Injectable peptides are regulated as prescription medications in Canada, and while some peptide-based medications are authorized for specific medical indications, many products marketed online are experimental and unauthorized for human use.

These products are often promoted for bodybuilding, anti-aging, weight loss, tissue regeneration or athletic performance enhancement. Increased public interest in GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for weight loss has also contributed to the online marketing of unauthorized peptide products.²

It is important to note that even authorized injectable peptides may carry significant risks and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional for approved medical indications. Obtaining peptide therapy from unverified or unlicensed sources increases the risk of harm. ³

Potential health risks

Patients may not realize that injectable peptides are regulated as prescription medications in Canada and must be authorized for sale by Health Canada. Still, many products marketed online as “research peptides” or performance-enhancing substances are sold without authorization. These products are often labelled “for research use only” or “not for human consumption,” despite being presented in formats intended for injection.⁴

For many experimental peptides, there is limited or no high-quality human clinical evidence supporting their safety or effectiveness.⁴

Because these products are unauthorized, their contents, quality and manufacturing standards are unknown. Unauthorized or counterfeit injectable medications may:

• Contain too much, too little or none of the active ingredient
• Contain undisclosed high-risk ingredients, additives or contaminants
• Cause infections, allergic reactions or other serious adverse events
• Interact with other medications a patient may be taking
• Have been manufactured, handled or stored improperly^1,2,3

Some online retailers and social media advertisements may misuse official logos or display false endorsements to appear legitimate. Health Canada does not endorse health products and does not permit its logo to be used in product advertising or packaging.²

Products identified

Health Canada has identified numerous unauthorized injectable peptide products, including (but not limited to):

AOD9604, ARA 290, Bremelanotide (PT-141), Bronchogen, BPC-157, CJC-1295, Cortagen, DSIP, Epitalon, Frag 17-23 of Thymosin-β4, GHK, GHK-Cu, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, GLP-1 (7-37), Gonadorelin, Hexarelin, HGH and HGH Fragment, Humanin (HNG), Ipamorelin, KCF-18, Kisspeptin, Kisspeptin-10, KK-23, KPV, Livagen, LL-37, Melanotan I, Melanotan II, Mots-C, NR-7, Ovagen, Pal-GHK, Pinealon, PNC-27, Prostamax, PTD-DBM, QS-13, Retatrutide, Selank, Semax, Sermorelin, SS-31, Tesamorelin, Thymosin alpha (Thymosin-α1), Thymosin-β4 (TB4 or TB-500), Thymulin, Tirzepatide, Vesugen, Vilon and VIP. ^1,2

Guidance for physicians

Physicians are encouraged to:

• Ask patients about the use of non-prescribed injectable products, particularly those purchased online.
• Be alert to potential complications associated with unregulated peptide use.
• Verify whether an injectable peptide product has been authorized for human use by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database⁵ or Licensed Natural Health Product Database⁶.
• Counsel patients about the risks of purchasing prescription medications from unlicensed sources and advise them not to buy or use unauthorized products.
• Educate patients that, in Canada, prescription medications can only be legally sold by licensed pharmacies, and that authorized products will display one of the following on the label:
  • An eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN)
  • A Natural Product Number (NPN)
  • A Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM) ^1,2
• Inform patients that unused products should be returned to a local pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Report adverse events related to health products to Health Canada.

Remember, do not buy or use unauthorized products. CPSA supports Health Canada’s actions to address the sale of unauthorized and counterfeit prescription medications and remains committed to protecting the health and safety of patients in Alberta.

References

1. Health Canada. (2025, August 1). Unauthorized injectable peptide drugs seized and sold by Canada Peptide may pose serious health risks [Public advisory]. Government of Canada. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/unauthorized-injectable-peptide-drugs-seized-and-sold-canada-peptide-may-pose-serious
2. Health Canada. (2026, January 21). Thinking about buying GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro? Beware of fake or unauthorized products [Public advisory]. Government of Canada. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/thinking-about-buying-glp-1-drugs-ozempic-or-mounjaro-beware-fake-or-unauthorized
3. Health Canada. (2025, April 14). Unauthorized injectable peptide drugs sold may pose serious health risks [Public advisory]. Government of Canada. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/unauthorized-injectable-peptide-drugs-sold-prime-research-may-pose-serious-health
4. Willyard, C. (2026, February 23). Peptides are everywhere. Here’s what you need to know. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/02/23/1133522/peptides-are-everywhere-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
5. Health Canada. Drug Product Database: Access the database. Drug Product Database: Access the database – Canada.ca
6. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD). Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) – Canada.ca