—
——
Editorial reference
A sourced editorial reference on peptide therapies — for readers who want the evidence, not the marketing.
ProPeptideGuide is a long-form reference on the mechanism, regulatory status, and published research behind each peptide currently used in clinical and investigational contexts. Every page is sourced, dated, and verified before publication.
Sourced
Inline numbered citations link every claim to a peer-reviewed source, regulatory document, or named expert.
Verified
Each page carries a verification date and, when available, the name of the medical reviewer who signed off on its accuracy.
Independent
Editorial coverage is independent of any commercial relationship. Affiliate compensation is disclosed in line, never hidden.
Visual reference
The Peptide Map
Every peptide we cover, organized by what it acts on across the top and regulatory status from FDA-approved at the top to research-only at the bottom.
Metabolism
Growth
Healing
Immune
Energy
Cognition
Sexual
Skin
FDA approved
(7)
Compounded · clean
(7)
Compounded · contested
(4)
Not legal · US
(19)
Investigational
(5)
FDA-approved
Metabolism
- Sem Semaglutide GLP-1 receptor agonist; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, cardiovascular and kidney risk reduction (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus).
- Tir Tirzepatide Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro), chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (Zepbound).
- Lir Liraglutide GLP-1 receptor agonist; FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12+ (Saxenda).
Legally compounded
Energy
- GSH Glutathione Endogenous tripeptide antioxidant (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly). Listed in FDA 503A and 503B Category 1 interim bulk-substance lists; injectable compounding requires strict sterile controls per 2019 FDA alert.
- NMN NMN NAD+ precursor sold as an oral dietary supplement. Not FDA-approved as a drug; FDA reversed its 2022 drug-preclusion position in September 2025 and concluded NMN is not excluded from the supplement definition.
- NR Nicotinamide Riboside Not FDA-approved as a drug; marketed in the US as a dietary supplement ingredient with FDA GRAS and NDI history for nicotinamide riboside chloride.
Skin
- GHK GHK-Cu Copper Tripeptide-1. Longstanding cosmetic ingredient marketed for visible signs of aging. No FDA-approved injectable pathway in the U.S.
- Mtx Matrixyl Cosmetic skin-care ingredient (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4). Not FDA-approved as a drug; cosmetic positioning depends on appearance claims rather than collagen-rebuilding or wrinkle-removal claims.
- Arg Argireline Cosmetic topical peptide ingredient (acetyl hexapeptide-8). Not FDA-approved as a drug; cosmetic positioning depends on appearance claims rather than botulinum-toxin-like or muscle-relaxation claims.
Compounded with regulatory complexity
Growth
- Ipa Ipamorelin Selective GHRP. FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted against 503A bulks-list inclusion in October 2024; remains in 503B Category 2 safety-risk.
- CJC CJC-1295 Long-acting GHRH analogue. FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted against 503A bulks-list inclusion for CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 DAC substances in December 2024.
Not currently legal in US
Growth
- AOD AOD-9604 Synthetic hGH C-terminal fragment. Not FDA-approved; AOD-9604 nominations were withdrawn from the 503A category process and the substance is not on the 503A bulks list — no compliant US compounding pathway as of 2026.
- Hex Hexarelin Synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide (ghrelin receptor agonist). Not FDA-approved; no 503A Category 1 listing or 503B bulks-list pathway identified.
- MK6 MK-677 Ibutamoren — nonpeptide oral ghrelin receptor agonist. Not FDA-approved; FDA lists ibutamoren mesylate in 503A and 503B Category 2 with congestive-heart-failure, fluid-retention, and hyperglycemia safety concerns.
Healing
- BPC BPC-157 Body-protective compound 15. FDA placed BPC-157 on the 503A "do-not-compound" list in 2023; not available through compliant U.S. channels.
- TB5 TB-500 Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4. Not FDA-approved; not on FDA bulks lists for compliant U.S. compounding.
- KPV KPV C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-MSH. Removed from FDA Category 2 after nomination withdrawal; PCAC consultation planned for July 23, 2026. No compliant US pathway.
- LL3 LL-37 Endogenous cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. Removed from FDA Category 2 after nomination withdrawal; PCAC consultation planned before end of February 2027. No FDA-approved product.
Energy
- MOT MOTS-c Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Research-only; not on FDA bulks lists for compliant U.S. compounding.
- Hum Humanin Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Research-only in the US; no FDA-approved product or 503A/503B compounding pathway identified.
- Epi Epitalon Synthetic tetrapeptide popularized in longevity contexts. No FDA-approved or compliant U.S. compounding pathway.
Cognition
- Cer Cerebrolysin Porcine-brain-derived neuropeptide preparation. Approved in several countries; not FDA-approved in the U.S.
- Smx Semax ACTH(4-10) analogue; approved in Russia for neurological indications. Not FDA-approved in the U.S.
- Sel Selank Synthetic anxiolytic peptide; approved in Russia. Not FDA-approved in the U.S.
- DSI DSIP Delta sleep-inducing peptide; research-only with no FDA-approved or compliant U.S. compounding pathway.
- Dhx Dihexa Angiotensin IV-derived oligopeptide analog. Research-only; Dihexa acetate withdrawn from FDA 503A Category 2; PCAC consultation planned before end of February 2027. The 2014 HGF/c-Met mechanism paper was retracted in 2025.
- P21 P021 CNTF-derived neurotrophic peptide mimetic (Ac-DGGLAG-NH2 with adamantylated glycine). Research-only; not on FDA bulks lists. Preclinical only — no human clinical trials. Unrelated to p21/CDKN1A despite the name.
- Adm Adamax Grey-market Semax-related ACTH analogue marketed as a cognitive enhancer. Evidence-insufficient: no Adamax-specific peer-reviewed studies or analytical characterization were located. New Zealand Medsafe identifies Adamax in a proposed prescription-medicine ACTH-analogue group.
Investigational
Metabolism
- Ret Retatrutide Investigational triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist (Eli Lilly). Phase 3 trials reporting up to 28.7% mean weight loss; not FDA-approved.
- Sur Survodutide Investigational GLP-1 / glucagon dual agonist (Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand) under development for obesity and MASH.
- Cag Cagrilintide Investigational long-acting amylin analogue; studied alone and combined with semaglutide (CagriSema) for chronic weight management.