A seventh case of acute liver toxicity in a black-market peptide user has prompted warnings over the use of unapproved products. (ABC News: Kylie Silvester)
There are fears a "contaminated batch" of counterfeit peptides is causing hospitalisations for acute liver toxicity.
The latest patient became seriously unwell after taking unapproved peptide labelled as retatrutide.
Doctors are testing the counterfeit peptides linked to the liver failure cases, amid warnings that unapproved products can cause serious harm.
Another black market peptide user has suffered a severe liver injury, with doctors concerned a possible "contaminated batch" might be to blame.
The latest case means seven Victorian patients have now been hospitalised for acute liver toxicity, after using a counterfeit of the weight loss peptide retatrutide.
Liver transplant specialist Marie Sinclair, who has treated liver failure patients in Victoria, said another patient had recently become seriously unwell after taking an unapproved peptide labelled as retatrutide.
"We have seen a recent case again, fairly similar to previous cases, where after a second dose of unregulated retatrutide there was severe liver injury," Dr Sinclair said.
"It's uncertain as to why this has happened, but one possibility is that there could be a contaminated batch of [counterfeit] retatrutide that is in Victoria.
Doctors warn use of any black-market peptides could cause serious harm. (Supplied)
"It's one possible explanation … we don't have any testing results to support that, it's purely a hypothesis at this stage."
Dr Sinclair said she had commissioned testing of counterfeit peptides used by liver failure patients.
"This is something I think we are going to continue to see with peptides if the unregulated market continues," she said.
Dr Sinclair said the affected patients sustained liver injuries "within a few weeks" of taking the black market retatrutide.
"They may become yellow or jaundiced, which is very frightening for patients, and they can become very unwell," she said.
