Rising peptide-related hospital visits raise concerns for GPs
20 Oct 2026
NSW Health data show a sharp increase in emergency department (ED) presentations associated with unapproved peptide use between July 2025 and September 2026.The results raise concerns about the health risks linked to these products and the importance of educating patients about their potential harms.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued warnings about unapproved peptides, while Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, has also raised concerns. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has released guidance on prescribing off-label and unapproved medicines.
NSW Health recorded 1,180 ED presentations linked to unapproved peptides during the period studied. Monthly presentations rose from five at the beginning of the reporting period to 217 by September 2026. Around 18% of these presentations resulted in hospital admission.
Associate Professor Mark Putland, Director of Emergency Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, told newsGP that hospitals in Victoria are also seeing more patients with peptide-related side effects.
Reported symptoms include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, vomiting and sweating. These symptoms can resemble signs of serious conditions, including reduced blood flow to the heart, requiring medical assessment.
NSW Health found that retatrutide was linked to 71% of the recorded presentations. Retatrutide is an experimental medicine that has not been approved for sale in Australia. It has been promoted online for weight loss, muscle growth, recovery and anti-ageing.
Most presentations involved gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Other cases involved cardiovascular symptoms, severe allergic reactions and adverse effects related to medicines.
More than four in five presentations involved people younger than 45. Those aged 25–34 accounted for 32% of cases, followed by people aged 35–44 at 26% and those aged 16–24 at 25%. People aged 45–54 accounted for 12%. The remaining presentations involved other age groups. The figures were similar across sexes, with women accounting for 49% and men 51%.
Associate Professor Putland said some patients presenting to emergency departments had changed their doses or how often they used peptides without medical advice. Buying products online from unreliable sources was another concern, as users might not receive reliable information about dosing or safety.
He believes GPs can help by asking patients about peptides and other substances they use, including products they may not initially mention.
Associate Professor Putland said trusted relationships with GPs can make it easier for patients to discuss their use openly. He encouraged practitioners to have practical conversations about risks, side effects and safer, evidence-based treatment options.
He also warned that some people may use peptides to pursue unrealistic body image goals rather than to manage a diagnosed medical condition. He said GPs could help identify patients experiencing body image concerns or possible eating disorders and guide them towards appropriate support.
Associate Professor Marguerite Tracy, a member of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care and Deputy Chair of the Specific Interests Addiction Medicine group, also described the NSW Health findings as alarming.
She said direct-to-consumer marketing of these products was becoming an increasing concern. The reported harms, she noted, went beyond the careful use of off-label medicines and unapproved therapeutic goods.
Associate Professor Tracy said GPs already ask about prescribed and non-prescribed medicines, supplements and other substances when taking a patient's history. She suggested asking specifically about peptides when use is suspected or when reviewing a patient's medicines.
She added that practitioners should create a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their use, allowing GPs to help reduce harm and identify evidence-based alternatives.
Rising peptide-related hospital visits raise concerns for GPs
Sources: NSW Health — Unapproved peptide use report; newsGP — original report.