Actor dies after injecting doctor-prescribed peptides
New York Post • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Richard Norton, a 75-year-old Australian actor and stuntman, died from cardiac arrest after receiving injections of unapproved anti-aging peptides CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, marking the first reported death of its kind in Australia.
- The peptides, prescribed by Dr. Jerzy Muchnicki, are marketed for muscle growth and recovery but lack large-scale, long-term studies verifying their safety and efficacy.
- Norton exceeded the prescribed dosage, taking twice the recommended amount shortly before his death, despite being informed of the experimental nature and risks of the treatment.
- The coroner criticized the availability of these peptides for general medical use, urging the Therapeutic Goods Administration to impose stricter regulations and restrict their use to clinical trials.
- Dr. Muchnicki faced scrutiny for his prescribing practices and record-keeping, resulting in mandated retraining rather than formal disciplinary action.
