1. Understanding Peptide & Compound Therapy
What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signalling molecules within the body. They influence various biological processes including hormone regulation, tissue repair, metabolism, immune function, and cellular communication.

Peptide therapy involves administering specific peptides or related compounds to support or modulate these biological functions.

What Is Compound Therapy?

Compounded medicines are prepared specifically for an individual patient by a licensed compounding pharmacy rather than being commercially manufactured products.

Compounded medicines are not subject to the same pre-market evaluation process as registered medicines. However, licensed compounding pharmacies must operate in accordance with Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

Off-Label Use

Some therapies may be prescribed for uses that have not been specifically approved by a medicines regulatory authority. This is known as "off-label" prescribing and is common in medical practice.

2. Regulatory Status
South African Regulatory Framework

Medicines in South Africa are regulated by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) under the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965.

Certain medicines or compounds prescribed under this treatment plan may not be registered with SAHPRA and may be supplied under:

Section 21 authorisation
Section 14 compounding provisions
Other applicable legal frameworks
Important Acknowledgement

I understand that:

□ Some prescribed compounds may be unregistered.

□ Unregistered compounds have not undergone the full SAHPRA review process.

□ Treatment may be considered investigational or off-label.

□ My practitioner accepts professional responsibility for prescribing these therapies in accordance with HPCSA guidelines.

3. Evidence & Research

The scientific evidence supporting peptide therapies varies significantly between compounds.

Evidence ranges from:

Large human clinical trials
Cohort and observational studies
Case reports
Animal studies
Laboratory research
Expert opinion

I understand that some compounds have stronger evidence than others and that long-term safety data may be limited.

4. Potential Benefits

Potential benefits vary according to the specific compound prescribed.

Reported benefits may include:

Tissue repair and healing support
Growth hormone stimulation
Lean muscle support
Fat metabolism support
Improved recovery
Enhanced sleep quality
Immune system regulation
Skin rejuvenation and collagen support
Hair growth support
Gut health support
Anti-inflammatory effects
Healthy ageing support
Patient Acknowledgement

□ I understand that benefits cannot be guaranteed.

□ Individual responses vary significantly.

□ Peptide therapy is not a substitute for established medical treatment.

5. Risks, Side Effects & Contraindications
Absolute Contraindications

Treatment may not proceed in certain circumstances, including:

Active cancer
Pregnancy
Wilson's disease
Copper metabolism disorders
Copper chelation therapy
Acromegaly
Active diabetic retinopathy
Certain cardiovascular conditions
Known allergies to prescribed compounds
Relative Contraindications

Additional specialist assessment may be required for:

Previous cancer history
HIV infection
Tuberculosis
Diabetes
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Sleep apnoea
Athletes subject to anti-doping testing
Common Injection Risks
Pain at injection site
Bruising
Redness
Swelling
Infection
Lipodystrophy
Needle-related injury
Possible Systemic Side Effects
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue
Nausea
Flushing
Fluid retention
Appetite changes
Blood glucose changes
Blood pressure changes
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Serious Risks

Although uncommon, serious risks may include:

Severe allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis
Copper toxicity
Hormonal disturbances
Worsening of undiagnosed malignancy
Psychological effects
Unknown long-term effects
Patient Acknowledgement

□ I understand the risks and side effects associated with treatment.

□ I understand that unforeseen complications may occur.

6. Drug Interactions

Important interactions may occur with:

Diabetes medications
Insulin
Anticoagulants
Corticosteroids
Antidepressants
Hormone therapies
Chemotherapy agents
Various supplements and herbal remedies
Patient Acknowledgement

□ I have disclosed all medications, supplements, herbal products, and recreational substances.

□ I understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in serious harm.

7. Monitoring Requirements

Safe treatment may require:

Baseline blood testing
Ongoing laboratory monitoring
Follow-up consultations
Additional investigations where clinically indicated
Patient Acknowledgement

□ I understand monitoring forms part of safe treatment.

□ I understand that treatment recommendations may not be possible without appropriate investigations.

8. Alternatives To Treatment

Alternatives may include:

Dietary intervention
Exercise programmes
Sleep optimisation
Stress management
Nutritional supplementation
Registered medications
Hormone replacement therapy
No treatment
Patient Acknowledgement

□ I understand alternative treatment options have been discussed.

9. Patient Responsibilities

I agree to:

□ Provide accurate medical information.

□ Disclose all medications and supplements.

□ Complete required investigations.

□ Follow dosing instructions.

□ Attend follow-up appointments.

□ Report side effects promptly.

□ Store medication correctly.

□ Dispose of sharps safely.

□ Not share prescribed medication.

10. Special Risk Acknowledgements
Cancer Risk

Certain compounds may influence biological pathways associated with cell growth and tissue repair.

I acknowledge that:

□ Existing undiagnosed cancers may theoretically be affected.

□ I have disclosed my cancer history.

□ Recommended screening has been discussed.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
I acknowledge that:

□ I am not currently pregnant.

□ I understand treatment should not continue during pregnancy.

□ I understand risks to an unborn child may occur.

□ I understand safety data during breastfeeding is limited or unavailable.

HIV, Tuberculosis & G6PD Deficiency
I acknowledge that:

□ Relevant medical conditions have been disclosed.

□ Specialist clearance may be required.

□ Additional testing may be recommended.

WADA Compliance
For Competitive Athletes

□ I understand certain compounds may be prohibited by WADA.

□ I accept responsibility for verifying prohibited status.

□ I understand sporting sanctions may result from positive tests.

11. Telemedicine Consent (If Applicable)
I acknowledge that:

□ Consultations may occur via telemedicine.

□ Telemedicine has limitations compared with physical examination.

□ Additional in-person appointments may be required.

12. Protection Of Personal Information
I acknowledge that:

□ My information will be collected and stored for medical purposes.

□ My information will be protected in accordance with POPIA.

□ Certain anonymised reporting may be required by law.

□ I may request access to my information in accordance with applicable legislation.

13. Injection Training & Self-Administration

Where self-administration applies:

□ I have received adequate instruction.

□ I understand sterile injection technique.

□ I understand storage requirements.

□ I understand safe sharps disposal procedures.

14. Financial Consent
I acknowledge that:

□ Treatment costs have been explained.

□ Medical aid funding may not be available.

□ Monitoring costs form part of treatment.

□ I am proceeding voluntarily.

15. Right To Withdraw Consent
I acknowledge that:

□ I may withdraw consent at any time.

□ Withdrawal will not affect access to other healthcare.

□ Certain therapies may require supervised cessation.

16. Questions & Confirmation Of Understanding
I confirm that:

□ I have read this document.

□ I have had sufficient time to consider treatment.

□ I have had the opportunity to ask questions.

□ My questions have been answered satisfactorily.

□ I understand the risks, benefits, alternatives, and limitations of treatment.