Richard Norton's Death Raises a Warning About Unapproved Peptides Promoted for Muscle Recovery
A veteran stuntman who trained Hollywood stars died after suffering a fatal anaphylactic reaction triggered by injections of unapproved peptides prescribed by his doctor. His death is believed to be the first confirmed fatality of its kind in Australia.
Coroner David Ryan found that Richard Norton, 75, an actor and fight coordinator, suffered a cardiac arrest after injecting CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, peptides promoted for muscle recovery and anti-ageing. He died in Melbourne on 30 March 2025.
Norton had taken more than the prescribed dose. Neither peptide is approved by regulators in the United States or Australia.
Why Norton Sought Treatment
Norton, who had undergone bilateral shoulder reconstruction, sought treatment from Dr Jerzy Muchnicki in March 2025 for fatigue, poor physical recovery, muscle loss and shoulder pain. He said another doctor had earlier prescribed him peptides.
Blood tests established his baseline health and screened for contraindications. Norton signed a consent form outlining the benefits and risks, including anaphylaxis, and the doctor discussed the treatment's experimental nature.
How the Peptide Stack Works
CJC-1295 and ipamorelin work together to stimulate the body's natural production of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. Some users and clinics promote the combination for muscle growth, fat loss, faster recovery and better sleep.
However, evidence for these claims, including muscle gains and performance, remains limited. Harvard Health notes a handful of test-tube and animal studies suggest peptides such as CJC-1295 might aid injury recovery, but evidence in people is largely absent.
Growth Hormone Risks
The stack carries potentially life-threatening risks, including cardiovascular complications and concerns about cancer. A published review lists glucose intolerance, fluid retention and possible growth promotion of occult malignancy as long-term concerns.
There is no good evidence that using growth hormone or its stimulators for anti-ageing improves longevity. Growth hormone-related treatments can carry risks, including changes in blood glucose and fluid retention, while the long-term safety of unapproved peptide combinations remains uncertain.
Final Days Before Death
Norton was prescribed the injections on 19 March. A week later, he reported feeling good and said the therapy was improving his symptoms.
On 28 March, he told a nurse he had been taking double the prescribed dose. The nurse advised him to return to the prescribed dose the following week.
Hours later, after injecting CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, Norton felt hot and flushed before becoming unresponsive. He was taken to the Alfred hospital, where he died.
Coroner Seeks Restrictions
The coroner was not satisfied it is appropriate for the peptides to be prescribed by medical practitioners. He found it unclear how their safe use could be clinically indicated, given uncertainties over their benefit and risks.
He called on the Therapeutic Goods Administration to review the peptides' benefits and safety risks. The review should consider moving them from prescription-only Schedule 4 to Schedule 10, limiting them to clinical trials and experimental use.
Board Scrutiny of Doctor
The Medical Board of Australia investigated Muchnicki. An independent expert found insufficient evidence that CJC-1295 or ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use, and called his patient notes inadequate.
The board deemed regulatory action unwarranted but ordered one-on-one training in clinical record-keeping. Muchnicki accepted accountability, expressed sorrow for the impact on Norton's family and pledged not to prescribe peptides without robust clinical evidence.
Warnings From Experts
Dr Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies dietary supplements, said online peptide health claims have not been vetted by experts or regulators. He does not recommend injecting peptides.
He advises those seeking better recovery or fitness to focus on the basics: adequate training, eating right, enough sleep and avoiding alcohol and nicotine. Clinicians are urged to screen patients for peptide injections and counsel them on risks.
Unregulated injectable peptides may carry impurities, and some could trigger abnormal immune responses, including anaphylaxis or autoimmune problems. Long-term effects remain unknown.