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Peptide Reference

Peptides

15 pages in this section, most recently updated September 4, 2026.

  1. 01

    BPC-157: what the human evidence is, and what FDA has said

    BPC-157 has hundreds of rat studies and no controlled human trial. FDA placed it in Category 2 in 2023, later listed it as withdrawn, and the compounding advisory committee discussed it in July 2026. Grade D + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  2. 02

    TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment): the trials people cite are for a different molecule

    TB-500 is a seven-amino-acid fragment of thymosin beta-4. The controlled human trials are of full-length thymosin beta-4 in eye drops and intravenous infusion. FDA reports no human exposure data for the fragment. Grade D + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  3. 03

    CJC-1295: two human studies from 2006 and an FDA safety note

    CJC-1295 is a long-acting GHRH analogue. Its human record is a placebo-controlled dose study and a mechanistic study, both from 2006, with no clinical outcome measured. FDA cites increased heart rate and systemic vasodilatory reactions. Grade C + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  4. 04

    Ipamorelin: one failed phase 2 trial, and still in FDA's Category 2

    Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue. Its only efficacy trial, 117 surgical patients with postoperative ileus, missed its primary endpoint. FDA placed it in Category 2 in September 2023 and it is still listed; PCAC reviewed it in October 2024. Grade C + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  5. 05

    Sermorelin: the GHRH analogue that was an approved drug

    Sermorelin (Geref) was approved by FDA in 1990 as a diagnostic and in 1997 to treat growth hormone deficiency in children, then discontinued. Randomised comparisons against growth hormone exist for that use. Adult anti-ageing use has no comparable trial. Grade B.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  6. 06

    Tesamorelin (Egrifta): an approved GHRH analogue, and what its label actually covers

    Tesamorelin is FDA approved as Egrifta for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. Two phase 3 trials in 806 patients, a full warnings section, and three formulations with different storage rules. Grade A for the labelled use only.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  7. 07

    MOTS-c: mouse data, human blood measurements, and no human trial

    MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-encoded peptide with metabolic effects in mice. In humans it has only been measured, never administered in a published trial. FDA states it has no human exposure data; PCAC discussed it in July 2026 for obesity and osteoporosis. Grade D + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  8. 08

    GHK-Cu: a cosmetic topical literature and no trial of the injectable

    GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide with decades of small topical skin studies and no controlled trial of the injectable form. FDA put injectable GHK-Cu in Category 2 in 2023; non-injectable GHK-Cu is in Category 1 as of May 2026 with a PCAC review promised by February 2027. Grade D + X for injection.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  9. 09

    NAD+ injections and infusions: Category 1 status, and the evidence that is not there

    NAD+ is a coenzyme, not a peptide, sold by injection and IV drip. It sits in Category 1 of FDA's 503A list, so it is treated differently from research peptides, but the only human study of infused NAD+ is an uncontrolled pharmacokinetic pilot. Grade D.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  10. 10

    Semax: Russian stroke studies, a nootropic reputation, and an FDA flag

    Semax is an ACTH(4-10) analogue developed in Russia, where it is used after stroke. The controlled studies are small, open and from one research tradition. FDA placed it in Category 2 in 2023 and PCAC discussed it on July 24, 2026. Grade C + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  11. 11

    Selank: small anxiety trials against benzodiazepines, no placebo, and an FDA flag

    Selank is a tuftsin analogue from the same Russian laboratory as Semax, studied for anxiety in randomised comparisons of 60 to 70 patients against medazepam and phenazepam. No placebo-controlled trial, no independent replication. FDA Category 2 in 2023, then withdrawn. Grade C + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  12. 12

    Epitalon (epithalon): telomerase in a dish, a thin human record, and a common substitution

    Epitalon is a synthetic pineal tetrapeptide from the Khavinson group. It extends telomeres in cultured cells. The human studies are small, single-source, and the longevity trials usually cited used epithalamin, a gland extract, not the tetrapeptide. FDA Category 2 in 2023, then withdrawn; PCAC July 24, 2026. Grade C + X, lowest confidence.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  13. 13

    PT-141 (bremelanotide, Vyleesi): an approved drug with a narrow label

    Bremelanotide is FDA approved as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women, on two phase 3 trials in 1,267 women. It is not approved for men or for erectile dysfunction. The label carries blood-pressure, hyperpigmentation and nausea warnings. Grade A for the labelled use only.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  14. 14

    AOD-9604: a growth hormone fragment whose obesity trials were never published

    AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone developed for obesity in the early 2000s. Phase 2 trials were run; no peer-reviewed results exist. FDA placed it in Category 2 in 2023 citing possible serious adverse events, then listed it as withdrawn; PCAC considered it in December 2024. Grade D + X.

    Updated September 4, 2026

  15. 15

    The GLP-1 peptides: where the evidence actually is

    Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide are peptides too, and they are the ones with approved labels, phase 3 programmes in thousands of people and cardiovascular outcome trials. This page is a pointer to the GLP-1s Explained encyclopedia and a contrast with everything else on this site.

    Updated September 4, 2026