NSW Health has warned of a sharp rise in emergency department presentations linked to the use of unapproved peptides.
The department said monthly presentations have risen from five in July 2025 to 217 in September 2026.
A quarter of presentations in that time period were people aged 16-24, with 71% of all visits mentioning the illegal peptide ‘retatrutide’.
It comes months after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned that unapproved peptides are a growing public health risk.
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
In simple terms, peptides are smaller versions of proteins that help regulate a range of bodily processes, including tissue growth and repair.
Some peptides occur naturally in the body, including insulin and endorphins.
Peptides have been used in medicine for around a century, with insulin among the first developed to treat type 1 diabetes.
Examples of peptides
GLP-1s: Includes prescription-only diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro, as well as retatrutide (illegal in Australia).
Collagen supplements and skincare: Some topical products can be bought over the counter (e.g. from The Ordinary).
Others, such as GHK‑Cu, are unapproved or illicit.
Muscle growth and recovery: Ibutamoren can be prescribed, but some, including TB-500, are illegal.
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Melanotan: An illicit peptide that increases melanin production so users seem more tanned.
Australia
The TGA has repeatedly cautioned consumers about peptides promoted on social media despite not being evaluated for safety, quality or effectiveness.
The regulator says unapproved peptides can carry risks including contamination, incorrect dosing and allergic reactions.
It has also raised concerns that many of the claimed benefits remain unproven.
In March, University of Queensland senior research fellow Dr Tim Piątkowski told TDA many unregulated peptides were essentially “Chinese research chemicals” being marketed directly to consumers.
NSW
New NSW Health data shows 217 emergency department visits in September mentioned unapproved peptide use – up from five in July 2025.
Across those 15 months, there were 1,180 ED visits where peptides were mentioned, with 18% ending in a hospital admission.
Health professionals have reported serious illnesses linked to peptide use, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and chest pain.
NSW Health says these products may contain unknown or harmful substances.
It also warned the peptides might not be labelled correctly, or be stronger than advertised.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: “A professional looking website, a label, purity claim, reviews, or influencer endorsement is not proof of what is inside the product.”
