Look at what was measured.
A change in a hormone or a cell culture isn’t the same as a meaningful benefit in a person.
The peptide chart,
with a clearer picture.
A list of peptides and what the research shows. Explore brand names, documented effects and US status, with the context that matters.
YOUR REFERENCE, WITHOUT THE RABBIT HOLE
The peptide field guide.
Explore by name or topic. Colored tags group the questions people ask; each entry explains what the research has actually shown.
| PEPTIDE / BRAND | TOPIC / DOCUMENTED EFFECT | RESEARCH EVIDENCE ⓘ | US STATUS | Read details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Wegovy · Ozempic · RybelsusGLP-1 receptor agonist
|
Weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity. | Clinical trialsLarge randomized trials | FDA-approved productsFor specific indications | |
| 02 Zepbound · MounjaroGIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist
|
Weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity. | Clinical trialsLarge randomized trials | FDA-approved productsFor specific indications | |
| 03 Saxenda · VictozaGLP-1 receptor agonist
|
Weight reduction alongside diet and physical activity. | Clinical trialsLarge randomized trials | FDA-approved productsFor specific indications | |
| 04 Egrifta WR · Egrifta SVGrowth hormone–releasing hormone analogue
|
Less excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. | Clinical trialsIndication-specific clinical evidence | FDA-approved productsFor specific indications | |
| 05 No approved brandGIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
|
Weight and blood-glucose improvements in clinical trials. | Clinical trialsPhase 3 published · September 2026 | InvestigationalSee context & limitations | |
| 06 No FDA-approved brandSynthetic 15-amino-acid peptide
|
Small human reports of symptom improvement; tissue repair remains unproven. | Limited human dataSmall, mostly uncontrolled human reports | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations | |
| 07 No FDA-approved brandAc-LKKTETQ · thymosin β4 fragment
|
No established human clinical benefit for this fragment. | Preclinical / no direct trialNo direct human clinical data in FDA review | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations | |
| 08 Copper tripeptide-1 in cosmetic formulasCopper complex of glycyl-histidyl-lysine
|
Limited topical skin evidence; injectable benefits unestablished. | Limited human dataSmall, formulation-specific studies | Cosmetic ingredientTopical use ≠ injectable evidence | |
| 09 Thymalfasin · also known as Zadaxin outside the US28-amino-acid immunomodulatory peptide
|
No significant survival benefit in a large sepsis trial. | Clinical trialsPhase 3 trial · primary result negative | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations | |
| 10 No FDA-approved brandAla-Glu-Asp-Gly · synthetic tetrapeptide
|
Exploratory biomarker changes; longer human lifespan unproven. | Limited human dataCell studies and limited human biomarker data | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations | |
| 11 No FDA-approved brandLong-acting GHRH analogue with DAC
|
Increased GH and IGF-1 concentrations in healthy adults. | Limited human dataShort randomized biomarker trials | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations | |
| 12 No FDA-approved brandGhrelin receptor agonist / GH secretagogue
|
No significant improvement in the primary postoperative bowel-recovery outcome. | Limited human dataHuman trial in a different clinical setting | No FDA-approved drugSee context & limitations |
No peptides found.
Try another name, or broaden your evidence and status filters.
A topic is not a treatment claim. “Clinical trials” describes the research, including negative results. Approval applies to specific products and indications.
US status · Checked 07 Oct 2026Start with the question on your mind.
Peptides for weight lossSemaglutide vs. tirzepatideCompare the full costCheck FDA approval
CURIOSITY, WITH CONTEXT
A better starting point.
Not the last word.
Peptides are a diverse family of molecules. A medicine with large clinical trials and an experimental compound can share a headline. They shouldn’t share an assumption.
Read our evidence keyThe details change the answer.
The molecule, formulation, route and patient population need to match the claim.
Make room for “we don’t know.”
Small studies can offer clues. Missing data cannot promise safety. Bring the evidence to a qualified clinician.
HOW TO READ THIS GUIDE
Controlled human research examining a clinical outcome. Results can be positive, mixed or negative; this is not a formal certainty score.
Small reports, early trials or biomarker studies. Evidence may not demonstrate the benefits commonly claimed.
Laboratory or animal work, or no direct human trial identified for the exact molecule. Human benefit remains unestablished.
First edition · A curated reference, not an exhaustive or systematic review. Prepared by Pephelp from linked sources and our research notes. Clinical review is pending. Read our editorial process or explore the articles. US status is a dated snapshot; other countries differ. Educational information, not a prescription or personal treatment recommendation.
Peptide research notes
Checked 7 October 2026 · Clinical review pending · US regulatory context
Semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist · Wegovy · Ozempic · Rybelsus
Documented outcome
In STEP 1, 1,961 adults without diabetes were randomized. Average weight change at 68 weeks was −14.9% with semaglutide versus −2.4% with placebo; both groups received lifestyle support.
What this does not establish
This result is for the studied injectable formulation and population. It does not establish that every semaglutide product or compounded preparation has the same evidence.
US status & safety context
FDA-approved products have different formulations and indications. Wegovy includes weight management for eligible patients; Ozempic and Rybelsus are diabetes brands. Consult the exact current product label. Gastrointestinal effects are common. Product labels include important contraindications and a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors. Individual suitability requires a prescriber.
- STEP 1 · NEJM, 2021 (Peer-reviewed study)
- Wegovy · current prescribing information (Official label)
Tirzepatide
GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist · Zepbound · Mounjaro
Documented outcome
SURMOUNT-1 randomized 2,539 adults without diabetes. At 72 weeks, average weight changes across tirzepatide groups were −15.0% to −20.9%, versus −3.1% with placebo.
What this does not establish
Separate trials cannot rank medicines fairly: populations, duration and analysis differ. These results are not a promise of individual weight loss.
US status & safety context
Zepbound has FDA-approved weight-management and obstructive-sleep-apnea indications for eligible patients. Mounjaro is a diabetes brand. Approval belongs to the specific product and indication. Gastrointestinal effects are common. The label includes a thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning and other contraindications and precautions.
- SURMOUNT-1 · NEJM, 2022 (Peer-reviewed study)
- Zepbound · prescribing information (Official label)
Liraglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist · Saxenda · Victoza
Documented outcome
The SCALE trial randomized 3,731 adults without diabetes. Mean weight loss at 56 weeks was 8.4 kg with liraglutide versus 2.8 kg with placebo, alongside lifestyle counseling.
What this does not establish
Results are specific to the studied weight-management formulation and population. Diabetes and weight-management brands are not interchangeable recommendations.
US status & safety context
Saxenda is an FDA-approved weight-management product for eligible patients; Victoza is a diabetes brand. This guide highlights selected uses, not every indication. Nausea and diarrhea were frequent in the trial. The label contains a thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning and other prescribing restrictions.
- SCALE · NEJM, 2015 (Peer-reviewed study)
- Saxenda · prescribing information (Official label)
Tesamorelin
Growth hormone–releasing hormone analogue · Egrifta WR · Egrifta SV
Documented outcome
Placebo-controlled studies documented reduced visceral abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The prescribing information reports the trials and their specific patient population.
What this does not establish
This is not an approval for general weight loss, bodybuilding or anti-aging. The label states that the medicine is not indicated for weight-loss management.
US status & safety context
FDA-approved Egrifta formulations are prescribed for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. Formulations have different preparation instructions and are not interchangeable. Important issues include elevated IGF-1, glucose intolerance, fluid retention and malignancy-related contraindications. Long-term cardiovascular safety is not established.
- Egrifta WR · trials, indication and safety (Official label)
Retatrutide
GIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist · No approved brand
Documented outcome
TRIUMPH-2 randomized 1,152 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. At 80 weeks, mean weight change was −11.9% to −18.8% across retatrutide groups versus −5.1% with placebo.
What this does not establish
Phase 3 results strengthen the evidence but are not marketing approval. The participants had type 2 diabetes; findings should not be generalized to every population or online product.
US status & safety context
Investigational; no FDA-approved retatrutide product. Trial findings do not validate products sold online under the same name. Gastrointestinal adverse events were common; hypotension and altered sensation were more frequent than with placebo. The safety profile remains under evaluation.
- TRIUMPH-2 · The Lancet, 2026 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · unapproved GLP-1 medicines (Regulatory source)
BPC-157
Synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide · No FDA-approved brand
Documented outcome
A retrospective knee-pain report interviewed 16 people; 14 reported improvement. Four had also received thymosin beta-4. Other small human reports and older conference abstracts exist.
What this does not establish
No control group or objective demonstration of tendon/cartilage repair in that report. Animal healing findings and short safety observations cannot establish effective, safe human treatment.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved BPC-157 drug. FDA reviewed the substance for compounding in 2026; a compounding discussion is not drug approval. Human safety information is limited, especially for long-term use. Identity, purity and route matter; absence of reported events in a tiny sample does not establish safety.
- Knee-pain case series · 2021 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · BPC-157 evidence assessment, 2026 (Regulatory assessment)
TB-500
Ac-LKKTETQ · thymosin β4 fragment · No FDA-approved brand
Documented outcome
FDA’s 2026 assessment found no human clinical data for the seven-amino-acid fragment it evaluated as TB-500.
What this does not establish
Full-length thymosin beta-4 has 43 amino acids and is a different molecule. Its eye-drop trials do not establish tendon healing or safety for injectable TB-500. Sellers may use the names inconsistently.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved TB-500 drug. This entry describes the acetylated fragment assessed by FDA, not all products sold under the name. Human benefit and safety are not established for this fragment. The identity of a research product cannot be inferred from a marketing name.
- FDA · TB-500 assessment, 2026 (Regulatory assessment)
- Related molecule only: full-length Tβ4 eye-drop trial (Peer-reviewed study)
GHK-Cu
Copper complex of glycyl-histidyl-lysine · Copper tripeptide-1 in cosmetic formulas
Documented outcome
In a randomized study after CO₂ laser resurfacing, 13 participants completed follow-up. Objective skin measures did not show an advantage, although subjective satisfaction was higher.
What this does not establish
This small study does not settle every cosmetic use. Evidence from a topical formula cannot be transferred to injections, hair regrowth or systemic anti-aging.
US status & safety context
Used as a cosmetic ingredient. Cosmetic sale is not FDA approval as a drug, and does not establish an injectable medicine’s status or safety. Formulation and route are central. Topical tolerability is not evidence that injection is safe; injectable clinical benefits have not been established here.
- Topical copper tripeptide trial · 2006 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · cosmetics and approval (Regulatory source)
Thymosin α1
28-amino-acid immunomodulatory peptide · Thymalfasin · also known as Zadaxin outside the US
Documented outcome
TESTS randomized 1,106 patients with sepsis and analyzed 1,089. Thymosin α1 did not significantly reduce 28-day mortality compared with placebo.
What this does not establish
A plausible immune mechanism is not proof of infection prevention in healthy people. The negative primary result should not be hidden behind secondary or subgroup findings.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved thymosin α1 drug. It is not Rethymic, the thymus-tissue product used for congenital athymia. Approval and availability outside the US vary. Use in clinical research does not establish safety or efficacy for preventive wellness. Patient population and concomitant treatments matter.
- TESTS · BMJ, 2025 (Peer-reviewed study)
- TESTS · published correction (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · thymosin alpha-1 approval clarification (Regulatory source)
Epitalon
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly · synthetic tetrapeptide · No FDA-approved brand
Documented outcome
A small shift-worker study examined melatonin-related markers after sublingual AEDG. Earlier telomerase findings came from cultured human cells, not a trial showing longer life in people.
What this does not establish
A changed biomarker is not demonstrated improvement in sleep, lifespan or disease outcomes. Epitalon is distinct from epithalamin extract; route and identity must match the study.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved epitalon drug. FDA’s 2026 assessment evaluates evidence for proposed compounding uses; it is not an approval. The available data do not establish long-term safety or the safety of injectable use for longevity.
- Shift-worker biomarker study · 2020 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · epitalon assessment, 2026 (Regulatory assessment)
CJC-1295
Long-acting GHRH analogue with DAC · No FDA-approved brand
Documented outcome
Two short placebo-controlled trials demonstrated sustained increases in growth hormone and IGF-1 after the studied long-acting CJC-1295 formulation.
What this does not establish
Higher hormone levels are not proof of better sleep, strength, recovery or longevity. Products described as “CJC without DAC” should not inherit evidence for this long-acting formulation.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved CJC-1295 drug. This entry concerns the long-acting molecule studied with its drug-affinity complex (DAC). Short trials cannot establish long-term safety. FDA has identified safety concerns in its assessment of CJC-1295, including cardiovascular reactions.
- CJC-1295 randomized trials · JCEM, 2006 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · CJC-1295 evidence assessment, 2024 (Regulatory assessment)
Ipamorelin
Ghrelin receptor agonist / GH secretagogue · No FDA-approved brand
Documented outcome
A randomized phase 2 trial analyzed 114 surgical patients. Median time to tolerating a meal was 25.3 hours with intravenous ipamorelin versus 32.6 hours with placebo; the difference was not statistically significant.
What this does not establish
That route, population and outcome cannot establish better sleep, muscle gain or recovery from subcutaneous use, including combinations with CJC-1295.
US status & safety context
No FDA-approved ipamorelin drug. FDA flags injectable-compounding safety concerns and gaps in data for other routes. FDA notes serious events, including deaths, in intravenous clinical research; that observation alone does not establish causation. Safety for other injectable uses remains uncertain.
- Postoperative ileus trial · 2014 (Peer-reviewed study)
- FDA · ipamorelin assessment, 2024 (Regulatory assessment)
- FDA · compounding safety information (Regulatory source)