Unapproved peptide drugs have become increasingly popular across the United States, especially among wellness influencers, fitness figures, and public personalities who promote them for muscle growth, weight control, and anti-aging purposes. Online stores sell injectable vials priced between 300 and 600 dollars, while wellness clinics provide evaluations and injection packages that can cost thousands of dollars per month. Interest has grown because peptides are naturally found in the human body and support key functions such as regulating blood sugar. However, many peptide products gaining attention have never been tested in large human studies. Health specialists warned that this lack of evidence may lead to allergic reactions, metabolic problems, and other serious side effects. Regulators stated that injectable substances meant to improve health are legally classified as drugs and must receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Experts reported increasing concern about how these substances are used. Some influencers recommend combining several peptides at once, a practice viewed as unsafe due to unknown interactions. Many injectable peptides are also produced by compounding pharmacies, which operate with less oversight than companies supervised by federal authorities. The FDA recently expanded a list of peptides that should not be compounded because of safety risks. Analysts observed that strong financial incentives have encouraged wider marketing and claims not supported by scientific evidence. These developments have raised questions about consumer safety and the future of peptide regulation.