‘We are going to see serious adverse events’: What are injectable peptides?

University of Alberta health misinformation expert Timothy Caulfield explains what peptides are and why there is so much buzz around them among influencers.

Health Canada is warning Canadians about the risks of injectable peptides sold online, as the products grow in popularity for uses ranging from weight loss to anti-aging.

In a statement the government agency says, “peptides are biologically active substances that can change how the body works and are often regulated as prescription drugs,” and that “unauthorized peptide products sold for wellness purposes have not been assessed for safety, quality, or effectiveness.”

Over the past six months, Health Canada says it has received four complaints of adverse reactions where an unauthorized peptide was believed to be the suspected cause. In those cases, individuals reported feeling ill or experiencing negative side effects after use.

The department notes those reports do not establish a direct causal link, but says it takes the complaints seriously and will act if violations of the Food and Drugs Act are identified.

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“Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm you,” reads the government advisory.

Despite the warning, injectable peptides are gaining traction online, often promoted on social media for muscle growth, anti-aging and weight loss. The popularity of approved peptide-based drugs such as Ozempic has also helped bring broader attention to the category.

Typically sold as a powder in small vials, the products are mixed with water and self-injected by users often outside the traditional health-care system.

‘Is it contaminated?’

While a small number of peptide-based medications are approved in Canada, most products sold online are not, raising concerns among medical experts.

“Is it contaminated? Did it come from some lab in some third world country that didn’t have proper sterile processes?” asked Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, a professor of pediatrics and medicine at McMaster University.

Tarnopolsky also raised concerns about inaccurate labelling.

“Mark my words, this will absolutely happen — we are going to see serious adverse events,” he said.

For some users, the appeal is the benefits they say they experience.

Adam Blackwell, a Calgary-based personal trainer and nutritionist, says he uses peptides for reasons including recovery, mental clarity and overall health, but acknowledges risks tied to unregulated products.

“Some of these companies are just kind of saying, ‘Here, take this.’ It’s much cheaper right?” Blackwell said.

“And what people are going to do is they’re going to go to a cheaper site because a lot of these peptides have more of an expense to them.”

He said sourcing is critical, emphasizing the importance of third-party testing and certification to verify purity.

“There are pharmaceutical-grade peptides that you can get through specific chains.”

The growing trend has also been fuelled by online influencers, though not all are willing to promote the products.

Kristi Stuart, founder of a Calgary-based wellness company, said she declined a request to endorse peptides.

“I’m definitely not qualified to educate or sell something that you inject into your body,” she said.

Health Canada is advising consumers to only use authorized health products, which carry an eight-digit drug identification number.

The agency is urging Canadians to report any suspected unauthorized or non-compliant health products.