Injectable peptides and what they do
An index of the injectable peptides people actually ask about, grouped by what they do. Each entry states FDA status plainly and links to a calculator with that peptide's vial sizes preset.
Most peptides on this list are not FDA-approved. Inclusion here is descriptive, not a recommendation. Dose figures are commonly discussed reference information, not prescriptions.
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Semaglutide · Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
A GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribed for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, dosed once weekly.
FDA status: FDA-approved as a prescription drug (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus). Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved and is not reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
Commonly discussed: 250 mcg – 2.4 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
Tirzepatide · Mounjaro, Zepbound
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribed for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, dosed once weekly.
FDA status: FDA-approved as a prescription drug (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Compounded tirzepatide is not FDA-approved and is not reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
Commonly discussed: 2.5 mg – 15 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist
Retatrutide · LY3437943
An investigational triple receptor agonist studied for obesity and metabolic disease. Not available as an approved medicine.
FDA status: Investigational. Retatrutide is not FDA-approved for any use and remains in clinical trials. Material sold outside a trial is not an approved drug.
Commonly discussed: 500 mcg – 12 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Synthetic peptide fragment
BPC-157 · Body Protection Compound 157, Pentadecapeptide BPC 157
A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide widely discussed in connection with tissue repair. Human evidence is very limited.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved for any use. In 2023 FDA placed BPC-157 in Category 2 of its bulk drug substances list, citing significant safety risks for use in compounding.
Commonly discussed: 200 mcg – 500 mcg · calculator · chart PDF
TB-500 · Thymosin Beta-4 fragment, TB4
A synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, discussed alongside BPC-157 in repair-focused protocols.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved for any use. Thymosin beta-4 was placed in Category 2 of FDA's bulk drug substances list. Prohibited in sport by WADA.
Commonly discussed: 2 mg – 5 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Growth hormone secretagogue
Ipamorelin
A selective growth hormone secretagogue often discussed together with CJC-1295.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved for any use. Ipamorelin was placed in Category 2 of FDA's bulk drug substances list, which restricts its use in compounding.
Commonly discussed: 100 mcg – 300 mcg · calculator · chart PDF
Growth hormone releasing hormone analog
CJC-1295 · Modified GRF (1-29), CJC-1295 no DAC
A GHRH analog discussed in growth hormone secretagogue protocols, frequently paired with ipamorelin.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved for any use. CJC-1295 was placed in Category 2 of FDA's bulk drug substances list. Prohibited in sport by WADA.
Commonly discussed: 100 mcg – 300 mcg · calculator · chart PDF
Sermorelin · GRF 1-29
A GHRH analog historically used in diagnostic testing and now dispensed largely through compounding pharmacies.
FDA status: Previously FDA-approved as Geref, withdrawn from the US market in 2008 for commercial reasons. It is not currently marketed as an FDA-approved product but does appear on FDA's Category 1 bulk substances list for compounding.
Commonly discussed: 100 mcg – 500 mcg · calculator · chart PDF
Tesamorelin · Egrifta
A GHRH analog approved to reduce excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
FDA status: FDA-approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Use for any other purpose is off-label and requires a prescribing clinician's judgment.
Commonly discussed: 1 mg – 2 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Melanocortin receptor agonist
PT-141 · Bremelanotide, Vyleesi
A melanocortin receptor agonist approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
FDA status: FDA-approved as Vyleesi (bremelanotide) for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Research-grade PT-141 sold outside that product is not FDA-approved.
Commonly discussed: 500 mcg – 1.75 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Copper-binding tripeptide
GHK-Cu · Copper peptide, Copper tripeptide-1
A copper-binding tripeptide common in topical skin and hair formulations, also sold as a lyophilized vial.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved as a drug. GHK-Cu appears widely as a cosmetic ingredient in topical products, which are regulated differently from injectable drugs.
Commonly discussed: 1 mg – 2 mg · calculator · chart PDF
Growth hormone fragment
AOD-9604 · Anti-obesity drug 9604, hGH fragment 176-191
A fragment of human growth hormone originally investigated for obesity, which failed to meet endpoints in clinical trials.
FDA status: Not FDA-approved for any use. AOD-9604 was placed in Category 2 of FDA's bulk drug substances list. It did not demonstrate efficacy for weight loss in clinical trials.
Commonly discussed: 250 mcg – 500 mcg · calculator · chart PDF
Related
Peptide side effects · Are peptides legal? · All printable charts
Common questions
What are the most commonly used injectable peptides?
By volume, GLP-1 receptor agonists — semaglutide and tirzepatide — dominate, because they are FDA-approved prescription medications for diabetes and weight management. Outside approved medicine, BPC-157, TB-500, ipamorelin, and CJC-1295 are the most widely discussed, none of which are FDA-approved.
Why are peptides injected instead of taken as pills?
Peptides are chains of amino acids, so the digestive system breaks most of them down before they reach the bloodstream. Oral semaglutide exists but requires an absorption enhancer and much higher doses. Subcutaneous injection bypasses digestion entirely.
Which injectable peptides are FDA-approved?
Among those listed here: semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), tesamorelin (Egrifta), and bremelanotide (Vyleesi). Sermorelin was approved as Geref but withdrawn from the market in 2008 for commercial reasons. Everything else on this page is unapproved.
Educational content, not medical or legal advice. This page summarizes public regulatory information and commonly discussed practice. It is reviewed by a clinician but is no substitute for advice from your own clinician or attorney.