Health
People shouldn’t buy or use unauthorized, injectable peptide drugs claiming to help with body issues and wellness, warns Health Canada — they can come with serious side effects.
Agency warns the drugs, known as peptides, can have serious health impacts
CBC News · Posted: Apr 09, 2026 4:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 9
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The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Health Canada says peptides, which are mostly available as prescription medications in Canada, should only be used if advised by a doctor and if from a licensed pharmacy. (XiXinXing/Shutterstock)
People shouldn’t buy or use unauthorized, injectable peptide drugs claiming to help with body issues and wellness, warns Health Canada — they can come with serious side effects.
In a public advisory issued Thursday, the federal health authority said these drugs are often marketed as helping with weight loss, anti-aging or bodybuilding, along with general wellness. In Canada, peptides are regulated as prescription drugs — ones that have been approved by a doctor to treat specific conditions.
But off-market peptide drugs, which are mostly being sold online, can come with some severe side effects, including liver or kidney damage, blood clots and cancerous tumours. These drugs can also lead to infections, allergic reactions, contain contaminants or be improperly manufactured.
Health Canada says there are many different types of unauthorized injectable peptide drugs that they have seized so far, including the following:
BPC-157. CJC-1295. DSIP. Epitalon. GHK-Cu. HGH, HGH Fragment. Ipamorelin. Melanotan I and II. SS-31. Thymosin-β4 (TB4 or TB-500). Retatrutide.
Health Canada warns that many other unauthorized peptide drugs exist and should also be avoided. Only medications prescribed by a health-care professional and sold from licensed pharmacies should be used, it says.
If you have used one of the drugs listed above or another unauthorized peptide and don’t feel well, Health Canada recommends seeking medical attention and letting the agency know.
Drugs that are allowed to be sold and used in Canada are ones with an eight digit drug identification numbers printed on the label. Health Canada’s Drug Product Database also lists the medications that are allowed to be sold.
Just because some drugs are marketed as for research use only, Health Canada says that does not make them legal or exempt from regulatory requirements. In its Thursday advisory, the agency says it's "working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop unauthorized shipments from entering the country."
CBC News has reached out to Health Canada for further comment.