Peptides like CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, BPC-157, and Sermorelin are prescription compounds. They must be prescribed by a licensed physician, NP, or PA. If a clinic is selling peptides without a prescription — over-the-counter or via "research" labeling — that's an immediate red flag.

The gold standard is a 503A or 503B licensed compounding pharmacy in the US. These facilities are FDA-registered and undergo regular inspections. Peptides sourced from overseas or unverified domestic labs carry significant contamination and dosing accuracy risks.

A quality provider doesn't hand you a generic "peptide stack" from a menu. They review your health history, goals, and current labs, then build a protocol matched to your biology. If it feels like ordering from a restaurant, keep looking.

Any reputable peptide program should baseline your IGF-1 levels, and many will check metabolic panels, hormone levels, and other markers. This establishes what's actually happening before therapy — and lets you track real change.

Peptide therapy works over months, not days. A provider who prescribes and disappears isn't offering safe, effective care. You should have scheduled check-ins to assess progress, adjust doses, and catch anything unexpected.

Side effects, questions, and protocol curiosities come up between appointments. Your provider or a clinical team member should be reachable — via messaging, phone, or video — without a 3-week wait.