Aesthetic Industry Banned Advertising Terms
If it is:
• Schedule 4
• Schedule 8
• A prescription-only injectable
• A GLP-1 medication
• A botulinum toxin brand
• A prescription filler brand
It should not appear in public-facing marketing.
Primary Schedule 4 Drugs
Botox is a prescription-only botulinum toxin used to temporarily relax facial muscles and reduce dynamic wrinkles. Due to TGA and AHPRA regulations in Australia, it cannot be advertised by name and is commonly promoted more generally as “anti-wrinkle injections” or “wrinkle relaxers.”
Dysport is a prescription-only botulinum toxin used to temporarily relax facial muscles and soften dynamic wrinkles. Due to TGA and AHPRA regulations in Australia, it cannot be advertised by name and is commonly promoted more generally as “anti-wrinkle injections” or “wrinkle relaxers.”
Xeomin is a prescription-only botulinum toxin used to temporarily relax facial muscles and reduce dynamic wrinkles. Due to TGA and AHPRA regulations in Australia, it cannot be advertised by name and is commonly promoted more generally as “anti-wrinkle injections” or “wrinkle relaxers.”
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is a prescription-only medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite for diabetes and weight management. Due to TGA regulations in Australia, it cannot be advertised by name and is promoted more generally as prescription weight-loss treatment.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a prescription-only medication that activates GLP-1 and GIP receptors to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Due to TGA regulations in Australia, it cannot be advertised by name and is promoted more generally as prescription weight-loss treatment.
Hyaluronic acid prescription fillers are injectable gels used to restore volume, enhance contours, and smooth lines by attracting and retaining moisture in the skin. In Australia, specific brands cannot be advertised to the public due to TGA and AHPRA regulations, so they are promoted more generally as dermal fillers.
Deoxycholic acid (Belkyra) is a prescription-only injectable treatment that breaks down and absorbs fat cells, commonly used to reduce submental fullness under the chin. In Australia, it cannot be advertised by brand name due to TGA regulations and is promoted more generally as injectable fat-dissolving treatment.
Benzodiazepines are prescription-only medications that act on the central nervous system to reduce anxiety, promote sleep, relax muscles, and control seizures. In Australia, they cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations and are only prescribed and discussed within a clinical setting.
Lists
Primary Schedule 8 Drugs
Morphine is a prescription-only opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain by acting on receptors in the brain and spinal cord. In Australia, it cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations, as prescription medicines are prohibited from direct-to-consumer promotion.
Oxycodone is a prescription-only opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain by acting on opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. In Australia, it cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations, which prohibit promotion of prescription-only medicines.
Fentanyl is a prescription-only synthetic opioid used to manage severe pain, often in hospital or palliative care settings. It acts on opioid receptors in the brain and is highly potent. In Australia, it cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations prohibiting promotion of prescription-only medicines.
Ketamine is a prescription-only medication used as an anaesthetic and, in controlled settings, for pain management and treatment-resistant depression. It acts on NMDA receptors in the brain. In Australia, it cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations prohibiting promotion of prescription-only medicines.
Codeine (Schedule 8) is a prescription-only opioid used to treat moderate pain by acting on opioid receptors in the brain. When classified as Schedule 8, it is tightly controlled due to dependence risk. In Australia, it cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations prohibiting prescription medicine promotion.
Prescription cannabis medicines contain regulated cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD, used to manage conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, or nausea under medical supervision. In Australia, they cannot be advertised to the public under TGA regulations prohibiting promotion of prescription-only medicines.
Complete List of Banned Advertising Terms
Alfentanil
Alprazolam (Xanax, Kalma)
Amfetamine (amphetamine)
Amobarbital (amylobarbitone)
Anabolic and androgenic steroidal agents
Androisoxazole
AOD-9604 (CAS No. 221231-10-3)
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepine derivatives
Benzphetamine
Bolandiol
Bolasterone
Boldenone
Bolmantalate
Bromazepam (Lexotan)
Buprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone)
Butorphanol
Calusterone
Cannabis (Sativex)
Cathine
Chlorandrostenolone
Chlordiazepoxide
Chloroxydienone
Chloroxymesterone
CJC-1295 (CAS No. 863288-34-0)
Clobazam (Frisium)
Clonazepam (Rivotril)
Clorazepate
Clostebol
Cocaine
Codeine
Darbepoetin (Aranesp)
Dexamfetamine (dexamphetamine)
Dextropropoxyphene
Diazepam (Valium)
Diethylpropion
Dihydrocodeine
Dihydrolone
Dimethandrostanolone
Dimethazine
Diphenoxylate
Doxapram
Drostanolone
Dronabinol
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Enobosarm (Ostarine)
Ephedrine
Epoetins (Eprex, Procrit)
Erythropoietins
Ethchlorvynol
Ethinamate
Ethyldienolone
Ethyloestrenol
Fencamfamin
Fenproporex
Fentanyl (Durogesic)
Fibroblast growth factors
Flunitrazepam
Fluoxymesterone
Flurazepam
Follistatin
Formebolone
Formyldienolone
Furazabol
Glutethimide
Growth hormone releasing hormones (GHRH)
Growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP)
Growth hormone releasing peptides-6 (GHRP-6)
Growth hormone secretagogues
Hexarelin
Hydromorphone (Jurnista)
Hydroxystenozol
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Insulin-like growth factors
Ipamorelin
Ketamine
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Mazindol
Medazepam
Mefenorex
Meprobamate
Mesabolone
Mestanolone
Mesterolone (Proviron)
Methadone
Methandienone (Dianabol)
Methandriol
Methenolone (Primobolan)
Methylandrostanolone
Methylamfetamine (methylamphetamine)
Methylclostebol
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
Methylphenobarbitone
Methyltestosterone
Methyltrienolone
Methyprylone
Mibolerone
Midazolam
Morphine
Nabiximols (Sativex)
Nabilone (Cesamet)
Nalbuphine
Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin)
Nitrazepam
Norandrostenolone
Norbolethone
Norethandrolone
Normethandrone
Opium
Oxabolone
Oxandrolone (Anavar)
Oxazepam (Serepax)
Oxycodone (Endone, OxyContin)
Oxymesterone
Oxymetholone (Anadrol)
Paraldehyde
Pentobarbitone
Perampanel (Fycompa)
Pethidine
Phenobarbitone
Phentermine (Duromine)
Pholcodine
Pipradrol
Pralmorelin (GHRP-2)
Prasterone
Prazepam
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Propylhexedrine
Pseudoephedrine
Psilocybine
Pyrovalerone
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Quinalbarbitone (secobarbital)
Quinbolone
Remifentanil
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)
Selective androgen receptor modulators (Ostarine, Ligandrol)
Silandrone
Sodium oxybate
Somatropin (human growth hormone) (Genotropin, Norditropin)
Stanolone
Stanozolol (Winstrol)
Stenabolic (SR9009)
Stenbolone
Tapentadol (Palexia)
TB-500
Temazepam (Temaze)
Testolactone
Testosterone (Reandron, AndroGel, Testogel)
Tetrahydrocannabinols
Tianeptine
Thiomesterone
Thymosin beta 4
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Tramadol
Trenbolone
Trestolone
Triazolam
Zolazepam
Zolpidem (Stilnox)
Zopiclone (Imovane)
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, Teosyal, Belotero)
Deoxycholic acid (Belkyra)
What you can't say
| Category | Prohibited / High-Risk Terms |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Outcomes | guarantee, guaranteed, permanent, erase, eliminate, reverse ageing, transform instantly, instant results, cure, fix, perfect, miracle, “100% results”, “works every time” |
| Safe Claims | safe, safest, risk-free, no downtime, no side effects, painless, zero pain, gentle but powerful, non-toxic |
| Prescription Medicine References | “anti-wrinkle” (as product noun), anti-wrinkle units, lip filler deals, 1ml / 2ml, top-ups, muscle relaxant day, product-coded nicknames |
| Comparative / Superiority Claims | better than other clinics, more effective, safer, fastest results, longest-lasting, premium results, superior outcomes, best results, best injector, most advanced |
| Emotional Manipulation | “fix your face”, “erase insecurities”, “get your confidence back”, “glow-up guaranteed”, “look 10 years younger instantly”, “anti-ageing cure” |
| Dramatic Before/After Language | dramatic transformation, lifted, sculpted, snatched, tightened, rejuvenation guaranteed |