Health Canada warns against injecting unauthorized drugs that promise to stop aging, lose weight or stay healthy
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Health Canada warns that people should not buy or use unauthorized, injectable peptide drugs that claim to help with body problems and health – they could come with serious side effects.
one in public consultation The federal health authority released on Thursday These drugs are often said to be marketed as helping with weight loss, anti-aging or bodybuilding, as well as general health. In Canada, peptides are regulated as prescription drugs—those approved by a doctor to treat specific conditions.
But off-market peptide drugs, mostly those being sold online, can come with some serious side effects, including liver or kidney damage, blood clots and cancerous tumors. These medications may cause infections, allergic reactions, contain contaminants, or be improperly manufactured.
Health Canada says they have several different types of unauthorized injectable peptide drugs 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-beta4 (TB4 or TB-500).
- Rettrutide.
Health Canada warns that several other unauthorized peptide medications exist and should also be avoided. It states that only medicines prescribed by a health care professional and sold from licensed pharmacies should be used.
If you have used one of the medicines listed above or another unauthorized peptide and are not feeling well, Health Canada recommends seeking medical help and telling the agency.
Medicines that are allowed to be sold and used in Canada have an eight-digit drug identification number printed on their label. Health Canada’s Drug Products Database It also lists the medicines that are allowed to be sold.
Just because some drugs are marketed for research use only, Health Canada says it does not make them legal or exempt from regulatory requirements. In its Thursday advisory, the agency says it is “working with the Canada Border Services Agency to prevent unauthorized shipments from entering the country.”
CBC News has contacted Health Canada for further comment.
