Skip to content
TRUTH IN PEPTIDES

Risk Profiles

Compound-specific risk profiles covering side effects, contraindications, and monitoring recommendations for each peptide in the library.

Risk Level Guide

Low — generally well-toleratedModerate — common side effects, monitoring requiredModerate-High — significant monitoring and precautions needed

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Semaglutide

Moderate

Common Side Effects

  • •Nausea (20-44%)
  • •Vomiting (5-24%)
  • •Diarrhea (8-30%)
  • •Constipation (5-24%)
  • •Injection site reactions

Serious Risks

  • •Pancreatitis (rare)
  • •Gallbladder disease
  • •Thyroid C-cell tumors (animal data; boxed warning)
  • •Hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas

Contraindications

  • •Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
  • •Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • •History of pancreatitis

Monitoring Requirements

  • •Weight and BMI at each visit
  • •HbA1c every 3 months if diabetic
  • •Lipase/amylase if GI symptoms worsen
  • •Thyroid function baseline and annually

Tirzepatide

Moderate

Common Side Effects

  • •Nausea (12-33%)
  • •Diarrhea (12-23%)
  • •Decreased appetite
  • •Vomiting (5-9%)
  • •Dyspepsia

Serious Risks

  • •Pancreatitis (rare)
  • •Gallbladder disease
  • •Thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning, animal data)
  • •Severe GI events including ileus

Contraindications

  • •Personal or family history of MTC
  • •MEN 2 syndrome
  • •History of severe pancreatitis

Monitoring Requirements

  • •Weight and BMI at each visit
  • •HbA1c every 3 months if diabetic
  • •Lipase/amylase with GI complaints
  • •Renal function (dehydration risk from GI side effects)

Growth Hormone Secretagogues

MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

Moderate-High

Common Side Effects

  • •Increased appetite
  • •Water retention and bloating
  • •Joint pain
  • •Elevated blood glucose
  • •Lethargy

Serious Risks

  • •Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance
  • •Worsening of existing diabetes
  • •Potential tumor growth promotion (GH/IGF-1 axis)
  • •Carpal tunnel syndrome

Contraindications

  • •Active malignancy
  • •Uncontrolled diabetes
  • •Pituitary tumors
  • •History of carpal tunnel syndrome

Monitoring Requirements

  • •Fasting glucose and HbA1c every 3 months
  • •IGF-1 levels every 3-6 months
  • •Fasting insulin levels
  • •Blood pressure monitoring

CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin

Low-Moderate

Common Side Effects

  • •Injection site reactions
  • •Water retention
  • •Tingling or numbness in extremities
  • •Headache
  • •Flushing

Serious Risks

  • •Potential tumor growth promotion (theoretical)
  • •Carpal tunnel symptoms at high doses
  • •Glucose intolerance

Contraindications

  • •Active malignancy
  • •Pituitary disorders
  • •Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Monitoring Requirements

  • •IGF-1 levels every 3-6 months
  • •Fasting glucose
  • •General metabolic panel

Tissue Repair Peptides

BPC-157

Low (Limited Human Data)

Common Side Effects

  • •Injection site discomfort
  • •Nausea (oral form)
  • •Dizziness (rare)
  • •Headache (rare)

Serious Risks

  • •Limited human clinical trial data
  • •Unknown long-term effects
  • •Theoretical concern for tumor angiogenesis (promotes blood vessel growth)

Contraindications

  • •Active malignancy (theoretical, due to angiogenic properties)
  • •Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Monitoring Requirements

  • •General health monitoring
  • •No established monitoring protocol due to lack of clinical trials

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)

Low (Limited Human Data)

Common Side Effects

  • •Injection site reactions
  • •Headache
  • •Lethargy
  • •Temporary lightheadedness

Serious Risks

  • •Limited human safety data
  • •Theoretical tumor growth promotion
  • •Unknown interactions with immune-modulating drugs

Contraindications

  • •Active malignancy
  • •Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Monitoring Requirements

  • •General health monitoring
  • •CBC if used long-term

Hormone Optimization

Testosterone (TRT)

Moderate

Common Side Effects

  • •Acne
  • •Hair thinning or loss
  • •Increased hematocrit
  • •Testicular atrophy
  • •Mood changes
  • •Fluid retention

Serious Risks

  • •Polycythemia (elevated red blood cells) — stroke and clot risk
  • •Cardiovascular events (FDA warning)
  • •Liver toxicity (oral forms)
  • •Sleep apnea worsening
  • •Infertility during use

Contraindications

  • •Prostate or breast cancer
  • •Hematocrit > 54%
  • •Severe untreated sleep apnea
  • •Uncontrolled heart failure
  • •Desire for fertility (without adjunct HCG)

Monitoring Requirements

  • •CBC with hematocrit every 3-6 months
  • •PSA and digital rectal exam annually
  • •Comprehensive metabolic panel
  • •Lipid panel every 6-12 months
  • •Total and free testosterone levels
  • •Estradiol levels

Enclomiphene

Low-Moderate

Common Side Effects

  • •Visual disturbances (floaters, blurring)
  • •Headache
  • •Nausea
  • •Hot flashes
  • •Mood changes

Serious Risks

  • •Visual changes (discontinue if persistent)
  • •Ovarian hyperstimulation (in females)
  • •Thromboembolic events (rare)

Contraindications

  • •Liver disease
  • •Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
  • •Ovarian cysts (females)
  • •Pituitary tumors

Monitoring Requirements

  • •LH, FSH, total testosterone every 6-8 weeks initially
  • •Liver function tests
  • •Visual symptom assessment
  • •Semen analysis if fertility is a goal