Quick answer: Print this page and take it to a licensed clinician or pharmacist. Ten questions, each with a one-line reason for asking. Ask for the answers in writing. A seller that cannot or will not answer questions 1 to 4 has told you something important.
These are questions to ask, not a scoring sheet. They sit alongside the five criteria on how to choose a peptide company. This is general information, not medical advice; see the medical disclaimer.
- Is a licensed prescriber involved? Ask who reviews you, what license they hold and in which state.
Why we ask: FDA's guidance on buying medicines online lists a doctor's prescription as a sign of a safe pharmacy.
- Who is the pharmacy, and where is it licensed? Ask for its name, address and state license.
Why we ask: FDA says to check the license in the state board database and not to use a pharmacy that is not listed.
- What is the product's FDA status, in plain words? Approved drug, compounded, or not approved at all.
Why we ask: A seller that states the status plainly is easier to check than one that avoids the question.
- Is it a brand-name drug or a compounded one? Ask which, and ask for the label or ingredient information.
Why we ask: Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, and FDA warns against claims that a compounded drug is the same as an approved one.
- How is quality tested, and can I see a batch record? Ask who tests, how often and whether a record for your batch exists.
Why we ask: A certificate that cannot be tied to your batch or to a verifiable lab shows little. This is our editorial point, not an FDA statement.
- What is monitored, and how often? Ask what follow-up the prescriber expects and who you contact between visits.
Why we ask: A prescription involves ongoing review by a clinician, not a one-time sale.
- What are the stop signs? Ask which symptoms mean you should stop and call, and which mean an emergency.
Why we ask: Labels of approved drugs list warnings; ask how the seller handles them for products without a label of their own.
- What is the written price and renewal? Ask for the total, what is included and when it renews.
Why we ask: FDA lists deep discounts and prices that seem too good to be true among warning signs.
- How do I cancel? Ask how, by when and what happens to a pending shipment.
Why we ask: Pressure and unclear cancellation often go together.
- What does the label or FDA page say? Read the label, or the FDA page for the product, with the clinician.
Why we ask: FDA's pages and approved labels are the primary sources. Seller descriptions are claims.
Also ask whether the product carries a "research use only" or "not for human consumption" label. FDA has said in warning letters that such wording does not change what a product is intended for, so a product meant for people should not carry it.
A licensed physician decides whether a prescription is appropriate, so there is no promise of approval from any seller. Date of this checklist: 2026-10-07.