From Aggressive Selling to Subcutaneous Injections: Do We Need Regulations or Should It Be a Free-for-All?

In the late 1800s, “snake oil salesmen” traveled town to town peddling miracle elixirs. They promised guaranteed cures for everything from baldness to impotence. Most of these potions were useless at best, dangerous at worst. Out of that era came something essential: the modern pharmacist.

Today, licensed pharmacists stand at the intersection of science, safety, and public health. But while the profession has evolved, the snake oil mentality hasn’t disappeared, it’s just been rebranded. Instead of wooden wagons and carnival barkers, we now see glossy ads, influencer-driven “biohacks,” and a booming online trade in so-called research chemicals.

One of the hottest frontiers? Peptides.

The concern isn’t always the compounds themselves (though sometimes it is). The real danger lies in how they’re being sourced, dosed, and injected, often by people with no medical training. In an unregulated marketplace, the label may not match what’s in the vial. And if you can’t confidently explain the difference between milligrams and milliliters, drug concentrations, or the nuances of intramuscular vs. intravenous vs. subcutaneous injections… you probably shouldn’t be self-medicating with injectables. The risks to your health can be enormous. 

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as biological messengers in the body. They influence everything from metabolism to tissue repair, hormone production, inflammation, and more.

In regulated, medically appropriate settings, some peptides offer real, sometimes life-changing benefits. But the growing trend of self-injecting peptides from questionable online sources, often marketed with vague, sweeping promises, feels like a modern echo of the false hope once sold by snake oil salesmen.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most talked-about peptides, what they’re actually approved for, and where hype starts to outpace evidence.

Semaglutide:
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, and it is now FDA-approved for chronic weight management as well. It works by helping regulate both blood sugar and appetite — which makes it effective, but also potentially risky if not used properly.

It’s sold under several brand names you’ll probably recognize, but regardless of the label, it should only be taken under medical supervision with careful monitoring. Dosing typically needs to be increased gradually (titrated) to allow the body to adjust. Skipping that process or starting too high can backfire quickly, leading to severe side effects such as nausea, constipation, dehydration, headaches, or changes in heart rate. In some cases, complications may even require emergency care.

Retatrutide (Investigational):
Retatrutide is a “triple agonist” that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Early studies suggest it may have significant weight-loss potential, but here’s the reality: it is not FDA-approved, and there is currently no legal pathway for safe consumer access.

That means anyone selling it is either bending the law or bypassing essential safety protocols. And if a seller is willing to ignore regulations around approval and distribution, what other safeguards are they ignoring? Sterility standards? Accurate labeling? Dosage consistency?

At the end of the day, this is your body and your health. Handing over your money to someone who doesn’t follow the rules means you can’t be sure which rules they are following, and that uncertainty carries real risk.

Tesamorelin (Egrifta):
Temoralin is one of the few FDA-approved peptides in this category. Its approved use is very specific: reducing visceral fat in HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy. It works by stimulating growth hormone release. What it’s not approved for is general weight loss of cosmetic use. Using it outside of its intended indication not only falls outside regulatory safety, but also carries risks that haven’t been adequately studied.

GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide):
GHK-Cu is best known as an ingredient in topical skincare and hair growth products. It’s believed to support collagen production and wound healing, and when applied topically, it is generally considered safe. The concern arises when injectable versions show up in online marketplaces. These products are unregulated and unapproved, and sterility is far from guaranteed. Ask yourself: if the bright blue liquid in that vial isn’t actually what the label claims, are you prepared for the consequences of injecting it into your body?

BPC-157 & CJC-1295:
These peptides are frequently marketed online as recovery enhancers and growth hormone boosters. Neither has FDA approval, and safety data is limited at best. Compounding the problem, quality control for peptides purchased online is virtually nonexistent. That means you can’t be sure about purity, potency, or even whether the vial contains the compound it claims to. The risks are real, and they’re largely unknown.

The Dangers of DIY At-Home Peptide Use

Even when marketing sounds clinical, injecting peptides at home without medical oversight carries serious risks. Here’s why:

• Questionable Quality

Most peptides sold online are labeled “for research use only” or “not for human consumption.” They’re often made in unlicensed facilities, with no regulatory oversight, no testing, and no proof of purity or potency.

• Risky Administration

These aren’t vitamins. Most peptides require subcutaneous injections. Without sterile technique or proper training, you risk infections, scarring, tissue damage, or dosing errors.

• Hormonal Disruption

Peptides that affect growth hormone, insulin, or other endocrine systems can cause wide-ranging effects: fatigue, swelling, water retention, mood swings, or even metabolic instability. These risks increase dramatically when doses are guessed or labels cannot be verified.

• Lack of Oversight

Peptides often influence complex systems within the body. Without lab testing or follow-up care, self-dosing becomes trial and error — with your health on the line. And unlike buying a fake “AAAA clone” Rolex, spending hundreds or thousands on something that could seriously harm you is a gamble you can’t afford to take. 

A Pharmacist’s Perspective

I’m not anti-peptide. In fact, some of these molecules are promising, even exciting. A few are already FDA-approved and safely used in clinical settings every day.

But the recent explosion in casual, unsupervised peptide use is a serious red flag. Just like the miracle tonics of the 1800s, today’s peptides are being sold as quick fixes, only with sharper branding, slick photos, and polished sales copy.

Wellness should never involve guessing. Hormonal and metabolic therapies demand data, monitoring, and precision, not hype.

Bottom Line

Peptides do hold incredible promise, and I’m genuinely optimistic about what they may offer in the future. But not everything that sounds scientific is safe, and not everyone selling them online has your best interest at heart.

If you’re curious about peptides, or any therapy that claims to "optimize" your body, speak with a provider who understands the full picture. If your current provider doesn’t have experience in this area, find one who does. At the very least, you’ll have someone who can give you sound, professional advice and monitor your response.

At the end of the day, this is your body, not a chemistry experiment. While the idea of staying youthful, maintaining muscle mass, or preserving vitality indefinitely is appealing, taking reckless shortcuts can have serious consequences. The future of wellness is exciting, but let’s pursue it safely.

As always, if you have questions about skincare, supplements, or anything health-related, feel free to stop by our Pharmacy Forum. We're here to help you make informed choices. 

Be well. 

~ Pharmacist Eddie