Peptide users don’t think of themselves as injecting drug users. 5 safety basics injectors need to know

A growing group of individuals are using peptides, which are often marketed as supplements for muscle building, weight loss, workout recovery, or skin and sleep improvement. However, these substances are still drugs that are injected just like any other medication, and users may not consider themselves as injecting drug users. The issue arises because there is a lack of safety information on how to properly inject peptides, leading to potential health risks.

In New South Wales, hospitalizations related to peptide use have jumped from five in July 2025 to over 200 in September 2026. To protect oneself, there are five essential safety guidelines peptide injectors should follow.

Firstly, it is crucial to never reuse needles. Once a needle is used, it becomes blunt and carries bacteria from the user's skin into the bloodstream, resulting in skin infections and abscesses. A new, sterile needle and syringe should be used each time.

Secondly, sharing injecting equipment is strictly prohibited. This includes needles, syringes, vials, bacteriostatic water, swabs, and any other items that come into contact with the injection site. Blood-borne viruses can spread through shared equipment, even if needles are not shared. This caution also applies to vials, bacteriostatic water, and swabs.

Thirdly, treat the contents of the vial as unknown. Peptides sold online are not subjected to the same rigorous testing as prescription medications, and the label often does not match the actual contents. They may also be contaminated. Be aware of the signs of infection, such as spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus, or sudden fever. If any of these symptoms arise after injecting, seek medical attention immediately and provide as much information as possible about the product, including when and where it was obtained.

Fourthly, always use a sharps container to dispose of used needles. Never dispose of used needles in regular waste bins, as they can cause injury to others, including family members, cleaners, or waste workers. Needle and syringe programs provide free sharps containers, which should be returned when full to a needle and syringe program, public sharps disposal bin, or participating pharmacy.

Lastly, visit a needle and syringe program to access essential resources. These services are available to anyone who injects and are staffed by experts in safer injecting practices. They are confidential, non-judgmental, and provide free sharps containers. You can locate the nearest service through your state health department's website.

In New South Wales, you can find an interactive map to locate the nearest service. As peptides are often marketed as wellness products, health services must adapt their outreach efforts to reach this new population through online platforms, gyms, and purchasing locations. Additionally, needle and syringe programs must be adequately funded to cater to the growing number of peptide injectors, as the current services are operating on outdated budgets designed for a different era and injector demographic.