Question 1

Are peptides safe?

Accepted Answer

'Peptide' covers a huge range — from licensed medicines used by millions of people to unlicensed grey-market compounds with no human safety data. Safety depends entirely on which compound, from whom, for whom. Anyone claiming a class-wide answer is oversimplifying.

Question 2

What are the risks of unlicensed peptides?

Accepted Answer

Identity uncertainty (is it really what it says?), purity and contamination, dose uncertainty, unknown long-term effects, anti-doping risk for athletes, and regulatory exposure. See /safety-centre/unlicensed-peptide-risks.

Question 3

How do I report a suspected side effect in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme — yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. You can report online, via the Yellow Card app, or via the published phone route. Reports for both licensed medicines and suspected counterfeit / falsified products are welcome.

Question 4

What do I do if I think I have a counterfeit Ozempic / Mounjaro pen?

Accepted Answer

Stop using it. Seek medical advice (NHS 111 or 999 in emergency). Do not throw the product away — the MHRA may need it. Report via Yellow Card and the MHRA's counterfeit reporting route. Report to Action Fraud if you have been scammed.

Question 5

How can I tell if a UK pharmacy is real?

Accepted Answer

Check the GPhC register (England, Scotland, Wales) at pharmacyregulation.org/registers, or the PSNI register (Northern Ireland) at psni.org.uk. Genuine UK pharmacy websites show their registration number, superintendent pharmacist, and the UK internet pharmacy logo linking back to the regulator's site.

Question 6

What are 'red flags' for an unregulated peptide seller?

Accepted Answer

No company name or UK address; no GPhC / PSNI registration; contact only via Telegram / WhatsApp / Instagram DM; offering UK POMs without a prescription; promoting cycles, stacks, and click charts; cryptocurrency-only payment; emphasis on stealth shipping. See /safety-centre/online-seller-red-flags.

Question 7

Are 'compounded' GLP-1 medicines safe?

Accepted Answer

UK compounding has narrow rules and is not a workaround for unlicensed peptide supply. Most products marketed as 'compounded semaglutide' or 'compounded tirzepatide' are grey-market product without regulatory provenance.

Question 8

What questions should I ask a clinic offering peptide therapy?

Accepted Answer

Is the compound a licensed UK medicine? Who is the named prescriber and on what register? Is each product on your menu licensed for the indication you're prescribing it for? What is the written complaints procedure and which regulator covers it? See /safety-centre/clinic-claim-red-flags.

Question 9

What does 'strict liability' mean for athletes?

Accepted Answer

Under WADA / UKAD rules, an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, even if they took it unknowingly or it was a contaminant. Intent is generally not a defence. This is why grey-market peptides are a particular risk for athletes.

Question 10

Can a 'certificate of analysis' prove a peptide is safe?

Accepted Answer

No. A certificate of analysis can be falsified, can refer to a different batch from the one shipped, or can simply measure identity without addressing sterility, dose accuracy, or long-term safety. It is not a substitute for regulated supply.

Question 11

What should I tell my doctor about peptides I've used?

Accepted Answer

Everything you can remember — name of compound, where you got it, what dose, how long, and any symptoms that began after starting. Clinicians cannot help safely without that information; disclosure is not judgement.

Question 12

Are cosmetic peptides like Matrixyl or Argireline regulated?

Accepted Answer

Topical cosmetic peptides are regulated under UK cosmetics legislation, not medicines law. Claims permitted on cosmetics are also constrained — they cannot make medicinal claims about treating skin conditions.

Peptide safety — UK frequently asked questions

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Peptide safety — UK frequently asked questions

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