Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton died after an anaphylactic reaction that led to cardiac arrest, following the administration of twice the prescribed dose of the unapproved peptides CJC1295 and Ipamorelin, according to a Victorian coroner’s report. Norton, 75, had appeared alongside Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan and had trained Hollywood actors including Ben Affleck, Tom Hardy, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie.
In a report submitted to the Victorian Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Melbourne-based coroner David Ryan concluded that Norton’s death was “triggered by the injection,” stating that “Richard was taking more medication than his doctor had prescribed.”
According to the coroner’s report, a nurse administered twice the prescribed dose of CJC1295 and Ipamorelin two days before Norton’s death on March 30, 2025. “The nurse advised Richard to only take the prescribed doses from the next week onwards,” the report said.
Norton’s death appears to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia linked to the unapproved peptides. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported the case.
Norton sought peptide treatment after surgery
Peptides are small proteins that have been promoted by online influencers and others as treatments for purposes ranging from wound healing and skin rejuvenation to improving sleep and extending lifespan.
While recovering from shoulder surgery on March 11, 2025, Norton visited Dr. Jerzy Muchnicki, reporting fatigue and pain. He told Muchnicki that he was interested in peptide therapy and acknowledged that another practitioner had previously prescribed peptides for similar symptoms.
Muchnicki reviewed Norton’s medical history and “discussed in detail matters related to peptide therapy, including the experimental nature of the treatment,” according to the report. They also discussed the potential risks, and Norton signed a consent form before Muchnicki prescribed the peptides.
On March 25, Norton consulted with Muchnicki and said he was feeling well and that his symptoms were improving with peptide therapy, the report said.
On March 28, Norton contacted Muchnicki’s office and said that the vials of CJC1295 and Ipamorelin had been dropped and broken. He requested replacements and reported “no side effects, improved sleep, reduced pain, and improved mobility.”
“The nurse spoke with Dr. Muchnicki over the phone, and the doctor authorized the exchange,” the report stated.
That night, however, Norton’s wife, Judy Green, called Muchnicki’s office and said that after her husband received the second dose, he “complained of a hot flash, a flushing sensation, and then collapsed and became unresponsive.”
Norton was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later. The report concluded that the injection caused an anaphylactic reaction, leading to cardiac arrest.
Coroner criticized prescribing decision
The report criticized Muchnicki for authorizing an additional dose of the peptide on March 28 “without reference to the nurse on duty’s record that the patient had reported that the medication had been administered incorrectly.”
It also found that Muchnicki failed to speak directly with Norton “to confirm proper use or to assess potential misuse or adverse effects.”
According to the report, Muchnicki “accepted responsibility for his actions,” apologized “for the error in judgment,” and will no longer prescribe peptides.
NBC News emailed Muchnicki through his practice seeking comment. He has not replied.
Calls for tighter controls on unapproved peptides
Ryan recommended that Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, the country’s equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, impose stricter restrictions on the use of unapproved peptides.
In the United States, some peptides are used in FDA-approved medicines for diabetes, obesity and other health conditions. There is also a “gray market” for products containing unapproved peptides promoted by online influencers and others.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services granted permission for compounding pharmacies that offer off-the-shelf medicines to begin manufacturing six of these widely promoted peptides.
The decision came even though the FDA’s own scientists concluded that there was insufficient data to establish whether certain peptides — including BPC-157, Epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, semax and TB-500 — are safe and effective.
Source: www.nbcnews.com