NSW warns against unapproved peptides as hospital visits rise sharply
ABC reported that nearly 220 people attended NSW emergency departments in September after taking unapproved peptides, up from five in July 2025.
NSW health authorities have warned against using unapproved peptides after a sharp rise in emergency department visits across New South Wales, Australia. ABC News reported on 19 October that nearly 220 people sought treatment in September after taking the products, compared with five in July 2025.
ABC reported that NSW Health data recorded 1,180 emergency department presentations linked to unapproved peptide use between July 2025 and September 2026. Those are presentations by people seeking treatment after use; the reported figures do not establish that every product caused the condition for which a patient sought care.
What NSW Health says about unapproved peptides
NSW Health says it is seeing more people attend emergency departments after using unapproved peptides. Cases it describes include difficult-to-control vomiting, allergic reactions, infections and liver injuries. The department also warns of severe allergic reactions requiring hospital treatment and other significant complications.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and some peptide-based medicines have approval from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, ABC explained. The warning concerns unapproved products. NSW Health says those products have not been assessed by the regulator for safety, quality or effectiveness. They may contain the wrong ingredients or doses, contaminants, or may not be sterile.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said unapproved peptides can have serious side effects, including liver and kidney damage, allergic reactions and severe vomiting, according to ABC. Tim Jones, a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners representative, told ABC he was concerned that products might contain different ingredients or doses from those listed, or be mixed with other substances.
Advice for people using peptide products
NSW Health advises people against buying or using peptide products unless their usual health professional has prescribed or recommended them and they are supplied through a registered Australian pharmacy. It advises anyone who has used an unapproved peptide product to speak with a GP or pharmacist before taking another dose.
ABC reported that unregulated peptides have gained attention on social media through promises of weight loss, ageing reversal and muscle growth. The reported hospital trend has prompted the warning, but those promotional claims should not be confused with the approved uses of regulated peptide-based medicines.
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Sources and context
- 'This is not minor': Peptide warning after surge in NSW hospital visitsABC News
- Peptide productsNSW Health
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.