Retatrutide, BPC-157, TB500, NAD+… These substances circulate outside of any health control and are often injected. Their composition is uncertain, their effects can be severe and their marketing is illegal. Health authorities point out that no promise of physical transformation justifies taking such a risk.
When the quest for the ideal body opens the door to the most dangerous products
Lose weight quickly, get “dry” before summer, accelerate recovery after training or even slow down aging. The promises associated with “peptides” are multiplying on the internet and social networks, where these products are presented as simple solutions to objectives that are often difficult to achieve.
The phenomenon now goes well beyond specialized circles. Injectable vials or pre-filled pens are also offered through informal channels: sports coaches, acquaintances or resellers who promise spectacular results without a prescription.
Faced with this growing spread, the ANSM is today sounding the alarm. These products are not simple food supplements. They contain active substances capable of acting on the body, without having been evaluated or authorized by health authorities.
In some cases, they are even fraudulently presented as medicines. In others, they are sold as food supplements even though their biological effects far exceed what is expected for this type of product.
Among the substances currently offered illegally include retatrutide, BP180, TB500, GH, GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and even NAD+.
Hospitalizations which remind us that these injections are not harmless
The alert launched by the ANSM is not based on a theoretical risk. The agency says it has recently received several reports regarding the use of fraudulent peptides, particularly retatrutide.
Some people have developed complications serious enough to require hospitalization.
The danger is all the greater because no one can really know what these products contain. Their manufacture escapes pharmaceutical controls, their dosage is unknown and their quality cannot be guaranteed. The same name can thus cover very different compositions.
The adverse effects recorded can be numerous and sometimes severe. Users may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. A significant loss of appetite can lead to dehydration, while severe fatigue, malaise or dizziness may appear.
Doctors also observed liver damage visible on biological analyses, abnormal sensitivity to touch, infections at the injection site as well as severe allergic reactions.
The risk is even higher when these substances are injected, because they enter the body directly without any guarantee of sterility or quality.
False promises hide a much more worrying reality
The success of these products is often based on very attractive messages: rapid weight loss, improved sports performance, accelerated recovery or even “anti-aging” effects.
However, points out the ANSM, these arguments are not based on a scientific evaluation leading to marketing authorization.
The agency also invites people to be wary of certain notices on packaging, such as “For research use only”, “Reserved for research” or “Not for human use”. These indications precisely mean that these products are not intended for use in humans.
The health authorities are currently continuing their investigations, in conjunction with other competent organizations, in order to identify the products concerned and take the necessary measures.
What to do if you have purchased or already used it?
The ANSM calls for never purchasing peptides, whether injectable or intended to be swallowed, when they are offered on the internet, social networks or through parallel channels.
She also recommends never injecting a product that has not been prescribed by a doctor and dispensed in a pharmacy.
People who have already used these substances are advised to immediately stop their consumption and to consult a healthcare professional quickly if any adverse effects appear. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, you should immediately contact 15 or 18.
Even if there are no symptoms at the time of taking it, complications may appear secondarily. The authorities therefore encourage users to report any adverse effects observed.
Finally, if the objective is to lose weight, improve sporting performance or benefit from metabolic care, the ANSM reminds that there are safe care pathways. A doctor or pharmacist will be able to propose a strategy adapted to each situation, far from the dangerous promises circulating today on social networks.