Peptides Information

Peptides are a category of molecules that can be found in abundance throughout nature.

They consist of amino acids linked together to form a short chain and play a key role in many biological processes. Peptides are the building blocks of proteins. 

Peptides produced in the human body have important roles in maintaining normal physiological functions.

Peptide products are encountered regularly in the medical, sporting and wellness industries, including: 

• Approved medicine
• Medicines produced by compounding pharmacies
• Dietary supplements
• Unapproved / research only peptides.

Peptides are used therapeutically in a large range of lifesaving medications. 

One of the first peptides to be isolated was insulin in 1921 and is still used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus today.

Examples of common therapeutic peptides that are registered medicines are:

• Insulin
• Semaglutides
• Vasopressin
• Somatropin

If an athlete is prescribed a peptide on the WADA Prohibited List by a medical practitioner (such as insulin), a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may be granted.

The status of substances on the WADA Prohibited list can be checked on the Global DRO website

More information regarding TUEs can be found through the following link: Medical Evidence Needed for a TUE.

Recently, the use of peptides in the wellness industry has expanded rapidly. 

Many of these peptides are illegal, are not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia and are prohibited in sport. 

These unregulated peptides present a significant concern from both an anti-doping and public health perspective. 

Peptides are being sold labelled as “research chemicals” or “not for human consumption” and are often promoted by online influencers and wellness clinics. 

These peptides have been marketed for a variety of purposes, including anti-aging treatment, fat loss, cosmetic and muscle growth and recovery.

Many unapproved peptides are prohibited in sport. Some common examples include:

• BPC-157
• Ipamorelin
• Ibutamoren (MK-677)
• CJC-1295
• Thymosin beta-4 (TB-500)
• MOTS-C

The possession and/or use of prohibited peptide products by athletes can result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) and significant consequences, including a ban from sport.

Some health professionals may prescribe unapproved peptides, particularly through compounding pharmacies that specialise in custom-made medications.

It is important to note, if a medication needs to be made by a compounding pharmacy, it may not be approved by the TGA and would be considered an unregistered medicine. 

A TUE is unlikely to be granted for an unregistered medicine, and the athlete may be subject to an ADRV.

Substances that are not approved for human use pose numerous health risks. 

These peptides do not go through the same quality control as approved therapeutic medicines and therefore can have a large variability in the purity and composition of each product that could lead to serious harm if used.

There are limited studies investigating the health impacts of unapproved peptides over a long-term period, meaning potential side effects remain largely unknown.

Furthermore, most research into the toxicity of these peptides is in animal models, with results being interpreted for human use. 

As a result, this could lead to inaccurate assumptions about the safety of peptide use and there may be numerous unknown dangers that could be severe and potentially life threatening.

The TGA has highlighted the risks these products pose including severe allergic reactions, inflammation, blurred vision, extreme tiredness and musculoskeletal injuries. 

These adverse events sometimes required hospitalisation.

Sometimes, commercially available supplements are advertised as a peptide version of common supplement products.

These can include:

• Collagen
• Whey protein
• Creatine

While these specific ingredients are not prohibited in sport, athletes are reminded of the risk of supplement contamination. 

We recommend that if athletes choose to take any supplements, that the Sport Integrity App is used to check if the individual batch has been independently tested and certified.

Further information can be found on our Supplements in Sport page.

If you have a further question about your peptide product, you can contact us via email: substance.enquiries@sportintegrity.gov.au