TULSA, Okla. –
Peptides are becoming increasingly popular online, particularly among people looking for ways to lose weight, build muscle or improve their health
The FDA is also considering making six peptide-based medications more accessible to patients. An FDA committee voted to add the six peptides to a list that would allow specially licensed compounding pharmacies to use the ingredients to make customized medications with a doctor’s prescription. The vote still needs final FDA approval
But doctors say there is still a lot researchers do not know about some of these products
Dr. Cedric Griffin, a family medicine and obesity medicine specialist for Ascension St. John, says he is seeing more patients asking about weight loss medications and peptides
Q: What are peptides?
A: Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. They occur naturally in the body and help send signals involved in processes including hormones and immunity
Griffin says peptides can be used for a variety of purposes, including weight loss, building muscle and reducing fat
Q: Are all peptides the same?
A: No. Some peptide-based medications are FDA-approved and have gone through rigorous testing
GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are examples of peptide-based prescription medications
Other peptides have become popular online despite having much less research behind them
“We just don’t have the robust data and the evidence behind them,” Griffin said. “We can’t say, ‘Hey, these are what they are used for,’ in the same way that have the data behind medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide.”
Q: Why are peptides becoming so popular?
A: Griffin says more people are now comfortable talking about weight management because GLP-1 medications and other weight loss treatments have become more common
“We are seeing a significant uptick in patients who are interested in weight loss and weight management,” Griffin said
He says he also hears from patients who discover peptides through social media influencers or online advertisements
Q: What would the FDA’s decision mean?
A: The FDA committee voted to add six peptides to a drug compounding list. If the decision receives final FDA approval, specially licensed compounding pharmacies could legally purchase the raw ingredients and use them to prepare customized medications for patients with prescriptions
That does not mean the six peptides will suddenly be widely available or that they will become FDA-approved drugs
Griffin says the research on the peptides is still not at the level doctors would typically want to see before prescribing a medication
“Even if they do become available and they’re allowed to be compounded in pharmacies and doctors can write prescriptions for them, we would still be doing under the guise of, ‘Hey, we still really don’t fully know how well these work, what side effects are, and what the appropriate dosing is,’” Griffin said
Q: What concerns doctors about peptides sold online?
A: Griffin says he has patients who have purchased peptides online or from overseas. He cautions patients against relying on social media influencers or online advertisements for medical advice
His recommendation is to talk with a doctor first about the reason someone is considering a peptide and whether there is a better-studied option
“When they see these targeted ads that they see about these peptides that show up, my first recommendation is look at them but then go talk to your doctor first,” Griffin said
Q: What about FDA-approved weight loss medications?
A: Griffin says medications such as GLP-1s can be an effective part of a weight-management plan, but they are not a replacement for other healthy habits
“I look at the medication as a tool,” Griffin said
He says successful weight management also involves factors such as sleep, mental health, nutrition and exercise
Ryan Gillin
