Health Canada has warned Canadians not to use unauthorised injectable peptide drugs sold online after laboratory testing found bacteria in the products that can cause serious infections.

The federal health agency said it seized and tested unauthorised injectable peptides from Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd., known as ERP Peptide, and found bacteria including Acinetobacter seifertii, Acinetobacter nosocomialis and Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium) acnes. In total, more than 11,400 vials were seized from ERP Peptide and from two Canadian online retailers selling its products, truenorthbiolabs.ca and bcaxiompeptide.com.

Health Canada said it obtained court-issued entry warrants to seize the products from the two retailers, and that as a result of its compliance and enforcement action the websites are no longer active. The advisory, published on 6 November, carries the identification number RA-82930.

The products named in the warning include human chorionic gonadotropin, known as hCG, as well as MOTS-C, NAD+, retatrutide, tesamorelin and tirzepatide. Such products are often promoted online for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-ageing or general wellness.

Injecting contaminated products can cause serious infections, hospitalisation and, in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis, Health Canada said. The risk of infection is higher in people with a compromised immune system. The agency warned that injecting unauthorised peptide drugs also risks hormonal imbalance, mood swings, blood sugar imbalance, liver or kidney damage, blood clots and the growth of cancerous tumours.

In Canada, injectable peptides are generally regulated as prescription drugs, and authorised peptide drugs should only be used under the care of a licensed healthcare professional to treat specific conditions. Selling unauthorised drug products is illegal, and the products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy or quality, nor shown through scientific trials to deliver the health benefits they claim.

Health Canada said there is no way of knowing what is in an unauthorised product or how it was made. It may contain too much, too little or none of the active ingredient, unlisted or dangerous ingredients, or contaminants such as solvents, heavy metals, particles or microbes, and it may be poorly labelled or improperly manufactured, transported or stored.

Anyone who has used an unauthorised injectable peptide drug and develops symptoms such as redness, swelling or pain at the injection site, fever or chills, or who feels unwell, should seek medical attention immediately, the agency said. It also urged people not to use drugs labelled “For Research Use Only – Not for Human Consumption”, which are intended for laboratory use and can be dangerous to health.

Authorised prescription drugs in Canada carry an eight-digit Drug Identification Number on the label, and shoppers can check whether a drug is authorised by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database. Prescription drugs should only be bought from licensed pharmacies.

Health Canada said it has asked ERP Peptide to stop selling illegal peptides into Canada immediately and is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop unauthorised shipments from entering the country. It said it will continue enforcement action, including seizures, testing and disrupting distribution channels, to remove the products from the Canadian market.