Legal status · Canada
Is IGF-1 DES legal in Canada?
No. IGF-1 DES is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary.
IGF-1 DES in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Not authorized for sale |
|---|---|
| Note | Prohibited in sport (WADA S2) |
| Health Canada approval status | Not approved by Health Canada |
| Evidence level | Preliminary (research strength: Preliminary) |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the IGF-1 DES profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
No product containing IGF-1 DES is approved by Health Canada for any use in Canada, so nothing on the market is authorized for people.
- 02
"Research use only" is a vendor label, not a legal category that permits human use. It does not exempt a product from medicines law.
- 03
Importing, supplying or promoting it for human use can fall under medicines legislation in Canada. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What IGF-1 DES is
IGF-1 missing its first three amino acids, which stops binding proteins from holding it and makes it roughly ten times more potent but cleared in minutes; in-vitro and animal data only.
Des(1-3)IGF-1 is a naturally occurring truncated IGF-1. Because IGF binding proteins cannot capture it, it acts strongly and briefly at the site of injection, which is the basis of the 'site growth' claim.
Mechanism: IGF-1 receptor agonism with escape from IGFBP sequestration, producing rapid local activity.
Regulatory history: Not approved
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for IGF-1 DES at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
IGF-1 DES in other countries
United States
Not approvedNot approved; sold 'for research use only'
Is IGF-1 DES legal in the United States?United Kingdom
Not approvedUnlicensed medicine; supply for human use is unlawful
Is IGF-1 DES legal in the United Kingdom?Australia
Not approvedNot approved; Schedule 4 or import-restricted
Is IGF-1 DES legal in Australia?Frequently asked questions
Is IGF-1 DES legal in Canada?
No. IGF-1 DES is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not authorized for sale". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. Human evidence: Preliminary. Note: Prohibited in sport (WADA S2)
Can I buy IGF-1 DES in Canada?
No approved product exists to buy. In Canada IGF-1 DES is classified as "Not authorized for sale", so there is no licensed pharmacy product. Vendors selling it "for research use only" are not selling it for human use, and that label does not change its legal status. This site does not list or recommend vendors. Note: Prohibited in sport (WADA S2)
Is IGF-1 DES Health Canada approved?
No. In Canada IGF-1 DES is classified as "Not authorized for sale", which is not a Health Canada marketing approval. For comparison, the US FDA status is: Not approved. Evidence level: Preliminary.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for IGF-1 DES live on its compound profile.
IGF-1 DES profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of IGF-1 DES in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.