NSW Health is warning people not to buy or use unapproved peptide products after a sharp rise in emergency department visits linked to their use.
New surveillance data shows 1,180 presentations to NSW emergency departments associated with peptide use between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026. Monthly presentations rose from just five in July 2025 to more than 217 in September 2026. Presentations were previously very rare.
People may use unapproved peptides hoping to achieve “wellness”. They have been marketed through social media as promoting weight loss, promoting injury repair, or even reversing ageing.
Products may claim to contain peptides such as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, TB-500, retatrutide, and CJC-1295. None of these peptides are currently approved in Australia for any purpose.
NSW Health is urging people not to buy or use unapproved products, particularly those promoted through social media, online retailers, overseas suppliers, or informal sellers. They may contain unknown or harmful substances, be incorrectly labelled, or contain different strengths or ingredients than advertised.
“We know that using these unapproved substances can come with real health risks, but it’s particularly alarming to see the growing pressure they’re placing on our health system,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
“Even when a product looks professional or comes in convincing packaging, that does not guarantee it is safe for use.”
Clinicians have reported serious illness, including kidney damage and liver injury. When a patient with serious illness likely due to peptide use is identified, NSW Health works with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and where relevant, law enforcement agencies, to investigate the source of the product.
“A professional looking website, a label, purity claim, reviews, or influencer endorsement is not proof of what is inside the product,” said NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
“The contents and strength may also vary between products carrying the same label.”
NSW Health advises people to:
Talk about their health goals with their usual doctor. There may be safe, evidence-based options available.
Only use approved peptide products prescribed by a qualified health practitioner in Australia. The practitioner should be willing to discuss care other than peptides.
Check with the prescriber that the product is a registered medicine with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
If already using an unprescribed peptide product, speak with a qualified health professional before taking the next dose.
People should also tell their treating health professional if they are using peptide products, particularly before surgery or other treatment. Serious complications can occur when they are combined with other medicines.
“I’m urging the community to be mindful of the potential long-term harms of unprescribed peptides, and speak with their GP for safe, evidence-based health advice,” Mr Park said.
If someone is unconscious or having difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. For advice on medication errors or adverse symptoms, call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, 24 hours a day.
More information on peptide products is at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/patients/Pages/peptides.aspx#unapproved
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