Australia’s medicines regulator is proposing to reclassify certain sports supplements as therapeutic goods rather than foods in the wake of several deaths among users.

In a consultation paper released this week, the TGA says it is looking to “resolve uncertainty” about the regulatory status of some supplements to ensure the products have accurate labelling and are supported by evidence.

The regulator notes specific ill-effects of products marketed as sports supplements, including overconsumption of caffeine that can lead to agitation, palpitations and elevated blood pressure, large amounts of protein causing raised blood urea or creatinine, and long-term use of androgenic steroids resulting in androgen deficiency and hypogonadism on cessation.

“The potential risks to consumer safety posed by the above phenomena have been highlighted by recent deaths in Australia that have been linked to sports supplements,” the TGA says.