Prescription Peptides: Programs, Evidence, and Clinical Oversight

At Arizona Sports Medicine / PROpeptides, prescription peptide therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Every plan begins with a medical consultation, appropriate labs, and an evidence-guided protocol tailored to your goals (weight management, body composition, performance, or sexual health). Ongoing follow-up, safety monitoring, and dose adjustments are built in.

How Our Consultation & Oversight Works

  1. Intake & Risk Screen
    Medical history, current meds, prior responses, pregnancy status (when applicable), and red-flag contraindications (e.g., pancreatitis history for GLP-1s; personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma for GLP-1s; active malignancy considerations for GH-axis therapies).

  2. Baseline Labs (ordered as indicated)
    Typically a subset of: CBC, CMP, A1C/fasting glucose, fasting lipids, TSH/Free T4, IGF-1 (for GH-axis programs), pregnancy test when applicable, and others based on your case.

  3. Goal Mapping & Protocol Selection
    We match clinical goals to an appropriate peptide program and set objective metrics (weight, waist, A1C, IGF-1, strength/performance, symptom indices).

  4. Personalized Dosing & Education
    Clear instructions, expected timelines, common side effects, drug/food interactions, and when to contact us.

  5. Follow-Ups & Adjustments
    Scheduled check-ins (telemedicine or in-clinic), symptom review, side-effect management, and dose titration guided by your response and labs.

  6. Safety Monitoring
    Periodic labs as indicated by the specific peptide class, plus blood pressure/heart rate monitoring for select therapies (e.g., PT-141).

  7. Long-Term Plan
    Criteria for continuation, cycling/holidays, transition to maintenance, and integration with nutrition/training/sleep.

    (you can book for free in our "Book an Appointment" tab located in the menu above)

Primary Prescription-Required Peptides We Offer

Below are the core Rx peptide programs we prescribe. Each summary includes peer-reviewed evidence supporting clinical effects.

GLP-1 / GIP Class — Metabolic & Weight Management

Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®—used as indicated)
A GLP-1 receptor agonist that improves satiety, slows gastric emptying, and supports substantial weight reduction when paired with lifestyle changes. The STEP-1 randomized trial in adults with overweight/obesity (without diabetes) showed clinically meaningful weight loss and body-fat reduction vs. placebo. New England Journal of Medicine

Tirzepatide (Zepbound®/Mounjaro®—used as indicated)
A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that produced greater mean weight loss than placebo in SURMOUNT-1, with many participants achieving ≥20% reduction at higher doses alongside lifestyle measures. New England Journal of Medicine

Clinical Oversight Highlights (GLP-1/GIP):

  • Contraindication screening (personal/family history of MTC/MEN-2, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease).

  • Baseline and interval A1C/glucose, lipids, weight/waist, and symptom tracking.

  • Stepwise dose titration with nausea-mitigation strategies; review of other agents that slow gastric emptying.

GH-Axis Optimization — Pulsatile Support Programs

Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29)
A pituitary secretagogue that can restore more physiologic, pulsatile GH release and support IGF-1 within age-appropriate ranges when used at appropriate frequency. Reviews and clinical experience note benefits when dosing mimics physiologic signaling rather than constant stimulation. PMC+1

CJC-1295 (GHRH analog) ± Ipamorelin (GHS agonist)
CJC-1295 has demonstrated sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-1 in healthy adults. Ipamorelin is a selective GH secretagogue with minimal ACTH/cortisol effects in early human pharmacology studies. We combine these judiciously when clinically indicated, with informed consent about the evidence base and regulatory context. Oxford AcademicPubMed+2PubMed+2ScienceDirect

Clinical Oversight Highlights (GH-Axis):

  • Baseline IGF-1, fasting glucose/A1C, and periodic reassessment.

  • Cancer history screening and shared decision-making about benefits/risks.

  • Dosing strategies to preserve pulsatility; avoid overtreatment.

Sexual Health

PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
An FDA-approved melanocortin receptor agonist for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women; RCTs and long-term extension data show improved desire and reduced distress vs. placebo. Blood pressure and nausea are monitored, and it’s used on an as-needed basis. Lippincott JournalsPMC

Clinical Oversight Highlights (PT-141):

  • Screen for uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy, and medication interactions.

  • BP monitoring around first uses; side-effect counseling (nausea, flushing, headache).

  • Frequency-of-use guidance to balance benefit and tolerability.

HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy (Specialty Indication)

Tesamorelin (Egrifta SV®)
A GHRH analog FDA-approved for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Trials show significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue and improvements in select metabolic markers in indicated patients. We prescribe it only for on-label indications and coordinate closely with the patient’s HIV specialist. PubMedJAMA Network

Clinical Oversight Highlights (Tesamorelin):

  • On-label use only; HIV care coordination.

  • Baseline/interval VAT assessment (waist, imaging when available), A1C, lipids, IGF-1.

  • Education on injection timing and adherence.

Safety, Compliance, and Access

  • Medical-Only Access: All Rx peptides are prescribed by licensed clinicians after clinical review; some are FDA-approved for specific indications, while others are compounded and used off-label where appropriate and legal. We provide informed consent detailing evidence strength, alternatives, and potential risks.

  • Monitoring Is Not Optional: Periodic follow-ups and labs are part of every program to maintain safety and efficacy.

  • Integrated Care: We coordinate with your primary or specialty providers when needed (e.g., endocrinology, HIV care).

  • Telemedicine: Available when clinically and legally appropriate based on your location.

Is a Prescription Peptide Program Right for You?

If you need medically supervised support for weight management, body-composition change, performance recovery,or sexual-health concerns, we’ll help determine candidacy, set realistic goals, and guide you through a structured, evidence-informed plan with close follow-up.

Ready to get started? Book a consult. We’ll review your history, order any necessary labs, and map a safe, stepwise plan.

References (Selected)

  • Semaglutide (STEP-1): Wilding JPH, N Engl J Med, 2021. New England Journal of Medicine

  • Tirzepatide (SURMOUNT-1): Jastreboff AM, N Engl J Med, 2022. New England Journal of Medicine

  • Sermorelin physiology and dosing considerations: Walker RF, Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab (review/open-access). Sinha DK, Front Endocrinol, 2020. PMC+1

  • CJC-1295: Teichman SL, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006; Ionescu M, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006. Oxford Academic+1

  • Ipamorelin pharmacology/PK-PD: Raun K, Growth Horm IGF Res, 1998; Gobburu JV, J Clin Pharmacol, 1999. PubMed+1

  • PT-141 (Bremelanotide) RCTs/long-term: Kingsberg SA, Obstet Gynecol, 2019; Simon JA, Sex Med, 2019. Lippincott JournalsPMC

  • Tesamorelin for HIV lipodystrophy: Falutz J, N Engl J Med, 2007; Stanley TL, JAMA, 2014. PubMedJAMA Network