FDA reviewed a specific product for a specific indication. Off-label wellness claims may still be unsupported.
THE EVIDENCE-GRADED DIRECTORY
The Peptide
Atlas.
Know what is medicine, what is research and what is marketing.
A field guide to the peptides most often discussed in metabolic health, recovery, skin, energy, cognition, sexual health and immune care—with dosing context, risks and original sources.
Explore 31 peptide profiles ↓OUR SCOPE
“Available” does not mean approved—or proven.
This atlas covers peptides commonly marketed in the U.S. biohacking, telehealth, cosmetic and research-chemical ecosystem, plus clinically important approved peptide therapies. It is not every peptide drug used across all of medicine. Regulatory status is current to July 2026 and can change.
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
Separate approved medicine from promising research and online marketing.
- 01Start with the goal
Choose the clinical or performance question before choosing a molecule.
- 02Check status and evidence
Approval, human evidence, formulation and dose context are separate questions.
- 03Prepare a clinician brief
Bring the exact product, claim, risks, monitoring plan and safer alternatives into the conversation.
0131DETAILED PROFILES
027HEALTH CATEGORIES
0310FDA-APPROVED PEPTIDES*
0416NOT FDA-APPROVED
*Approval applies only to the specific indication, formulation, population and dose described in the prescribing information—not every wellness claim attached to the molecule.
01 / BROWSE BY GOAL
Start with the outcome.
Then check the status.
The same peptide can appear in several marketing categories. We place it where consumers most commonly encounter it and explain the boundaries on its profile.01◇
Metabolic & fat lossIncretins, appetite pathways and body-composition therapies.
702⬡Muscle & recoveryGrowth signaling, tissue repair and performance claims.
703✺Skin & hairCollagen, pigmentation, wound signaling and cosmetic use.
404↑Energy & longevityMitochondrial peptides and healthy-aging claims.
405♥Sexual & reproductiveDesire, reproductive signaling and obstetric hormones.
306◎Cognition & sleepNeuroactive peptides marketed for focus, anxiety and sleep.
307✦Immune & gutImmune signaling, inflammation and barrier-health claims.
3STATUS KEY
Four labels that change the entire conversation.
Legitimate access may be limited to registered clinical trials.
Topical or oral consumer use does not establish injectable safety.
Being sold online or compounded does not make a product approved.
02 / READ THE RESEARCH
A promising mechanism is not a proven outcome.
Our evidence labels follow the drug-development path: laboratory signals can justify human research, but only well-designed clinical studies can establish benefits, harms and a usable dose.Useful for mechanism and toxicity questions. It cannot establish a consumer treatment.
Usually explores safety, pharmacology and dose—not whether a wellness claim works.
Tests the intervention in people with the target condition and continues safety work.
Larger studies test whether benefits hold up against a comparator and reveal more harms.
Review applies to a defined product, indication and label; monitoring continues after launch.
03 / SEARCH THE COMPLETE ATLAS
Find the signal.
Skip the noise.
Filter every profile by goal and regulatory status, or search a molecule, alias, claim or evidence level. Each result opens a full research passport with dosing context, risks and primary sources.31 profiles match
Search by molecule, alias, goal, status or evidence.FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Metabolic & fat loss · Wegovy · Ozempic · Rybelsus
Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist with strong outcome data for defined metabolic indications.DOSE CONTEXTApproved obesity injection labeling starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and escalates in 4-week steps toward a maintenance dose commonly 1.7 or 2.4 mg weekly. Other semaglutide products use different schedules. This is label context, not an individualized prescription.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Metabolic & fat loss · Zepbound · Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
A dual GIP/GLP-1 peptide agonist with strong evidence for obesity and type 2 diabetes.DOSE CONTEXTLabeling begins at 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks, then 5 mg weekly. Maintenance is individualized; labeled options include 5, 10 or 15 mg weekly with increases no faster than 2.5 mg every 4 weeks.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Metabolic & fat loss · Saxenda · Victoza
Liraglutide
A daily GLP-1 peptide with established metabolic indications and longer real-world history.DOSE CONTEXTSaxenda labeling starts at 0.6 mg daily, increasing weekly through 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4 mg to a 3 mg daily maintenance dose in adults if tolerated. Diabetes-product dosing differs.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Metabolic & fat loss · Egrifta WR · Egrifta SV
Tesamorelin
Approved for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy—not general weight loss.DOSE CONTEXTFormulation-specific: Egrifta WR is labeled 1.28 mg subcutaneously once daily; Egrifta SV is 1.4 mg once daily. The formulations have different preparation instructions and are not interchangeable.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Metabolic & fat loss · Imcivree
Setmelanotide
A precision therapy for obesity caused by specific rare genetic pathway disorders.DOSE CONTEXTCurrent U.S. labeling is diagnosis-specific. For BBS or POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency in adults and patients age 12 or older, start 2 mg subcutaneously once daily for 2 weeks and increase to a 3 mg once-daily maintenance dose if tolerated. Acquired hypothalamic obesity uses a slower 0.5 mg to 1 mg to 2 mg to 3 mg escalation over 6 weeks. Pediatric and severe-renal-impairment schedules differ.
Open research passport ↗InvestigationalEarly human
Metabolic & fat loss · LY3437943 · triple agonist
Retatrutide
A triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist in clinical development—not an approved drug.DOSE CONTEXTBest human-research range: 1, 4, 8 or 12 mg subcutaneously once weekly in phase 2, with stepwise escalation for higher targets. Phase 3 programs use protocol-defined weekly targets such as 4, 9 or 12 mg. Retatrutide remains investigational; these are authenticated trial doses, not a prescription or a basis for using products sold online.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Metabolic & fat loss · HGH fragment 176–191
AOD-9604
A modified growth-hormone fragment marketed for fat loss without an established safe, effective dose.DOSE CONTEXTBest human-study range: 0.25–1 mg orally once daily for up to 24 weeks; efficacy was inconsistent. Most published U.S. clinic protocols use 250–500 mcg subcutaneously once daily for 4–12 weeks. The injectable range is reported practice, not an FDA-approved or validated standard.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Muscle & recovery · Body protection compound 157
BPC-157
A heavily marketed repair peptide whose human evidence does not support the confidence of the claims.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported U.S. clinic range: 250–500 mcg total daily by subcutaneous injection, given once daily or divided, often for 4–8 weeks. This is a market-practice range—not an FDA-approved or validated guideline—and FDA's 2026 review found no human subcutaneous studies.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Muscle & recovery · Thymosin beta-4 fragment · LKKTETQ
TB-500
A synthetic thymosin beta-4 fragment marketed for healing without identified human exposure data for the fragment.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported clinic/community range: 2–5 mg subcutaneously twice weekly for 4–6 weeks, followed by 2–5 mg every 1–2 weeks. FDA has identified no human exposure data for the TB-500 LKKTETQ fragment, so this is market practice—not an FDA-approved or evidence-based regimen.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedEarly human
Muscle & recovery · CJC-1295 with DAC · without DAC
CJC-1295
A growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog with limited early studies and no approved wellness use.DOSE CONTEXTBest human-research range for authentic CJC-1295 with DAC: single subcutaneous doses of 30–60 mcg/kg and repeated doses around 20–30 mcg/kg weekly. Clinics more commonly publish 1–2 mg once or twice weekly for the DAC form. 'CJC without DAC' is modified GRF 1-29—a different short-acting molecule commonly listed at 100–200 mcg once or twice daily. Neither clinic regimen is FDA approved.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedEarly human
Muscle & recovery · Growth-hormone secretagogue
Ipamorelin
A ghrelin-receptor agonist marketed for GH release with major evidence and product-quality gaps.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported clinic range: 200–300 mcg subcutaneously once nightly, sometimes divided into two daily doses, for about 8–12 weeks. A controlled postoperative-ileus study used a very different regimen—0.03 mg/kg by IV infusion twice daily for up to 7 days. The clinic range is not FDA approved, and the IV research dose does not establish a wellness protocol.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedEarly human
Muscle & recovery · GHRH(1–29)
Sermorelin
A short GHRH analog with historical diagnostic/pediatric use but no currently marketed FDA-approved product.DOSE CONTEXTHistorical pediatric treatment dose: 30 mcg/kg subcutaneously at bedtime. Most current adult clinics publish 200–500 mcg subcutaneously once nightly, commonly starting near 200–300 mcg. The adult anti-aging range is compounded-practice information; there is no currently marketed FDA-approved sermorelin product.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Muscle & recovery · Increlex · recombinant IGF-1
Mecasermin
Prescription IGF-1 for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency—not a bodybuilding peptide.DOSE CONTEXTThe label uses weight-based subcutaneous dosing, generally starting at 0.04–0.08 mg/kg twice daily and increasing only under specialist supervision to a maximum of 0.12 mg/kg twice daily. It must be coordinated with food because of hypoglycemia risk.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedPreclinical
Muscle & recovery · Pegylated mechano growth factor
PEG-MGF
A marketed IGF-1-related research peptide for which FDA found no human exposure data.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported community range: 200–400 mcg per injection, 1–2 times weekly for 4–8 weeks. FDA has identified no human exposure data for PEG-MGF, so this is self-reported market practice—not an FDA-approved dose or human clinical-research regimen.
Open research passport ↗Food supplement / cosmeticEarly human
Skin & hair · Copper tripeptide-1
GHK-Cu
A copper-binding cosmetic peptide with a very different risk profile when injected.DOSE CONTEXTUse a finished topical cosmetic exactly as labeled; published products and studies use formulation-specific concentrations rather than a universal milligram dose. There is no FDA-approved injectable dose, and topical cosmetic exposure cannot be converted into an injection amount.
Open research passport ↗Food supplement / cosmeticModerate
Skin & hair · Hydrolyzed collagen
Collagen peptides
A food-derived peptide supplement with modest evidence for selected skin and joint outcomes.DOSE CONTEXTCommon study amounts range from about 2.5–10 g/day for skin outcomes and 5–15 g/day in connective-tissue or joint research, depending on product and endpoint.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Skin & hair · Scenesse
Afamelanotide
An implanted melanocortin analog for erythropoietic protoporphyria—not cosmetic tanning.DOSE CONTEXTOne 16 mg subcutaneous implant administered by a trained healthcare professional every 2 months under the label.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Skin & hair · MT-2 · tanning peptide
Melanotan II
An unapproved tanning peptide linked to serious case reports and unpredictable products.DOSE CONTEXTBest human-research range: 0.01–0.025 mg/kg subcutaneously in a small phase 1 program; severe nausea occurred at 0.025 mg/kg in some subjects. Current users and clinics more often publish 0.25–0.5 mg daily for loading, followed by 0.25–0.5 mg once or twice weekly. The market range is not approved and should not be interpreted as a safe consumer standard.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Energy & longevity · Forzinity · SS-31
Elamipretide
The first FDA-approved Barth syndrome therapy; approval does not establish general mitochondrial enhancement.DOSE CONTEXTThe approved Forzinity dose is 40 mg subcutaneously once daily for adult and pediatric patients with Barth syndrome weighing at least 30 kg.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedPreclinical
Energy & longevity · Mitochondrial open-reading-frame peptide
MOTS-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide with intriguing biology but no identified human exposure data for marketed products.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported clinic protocols: 5 mg subcutaneously every 5 days for four doses, or 5 mg twice weekly for about 8 weeks. FDA has identified no human exposure data for MOTS-c drug products, so these are clinic conventions—not FDA-approved or validated human regimens.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Energy & longevity · Epithalon · AEDG peptide
Epitalon
A tetrapeptide marketed for telomeres, sleep and longevity without reliable clinical proof.DOSE CONTEXTBest available limited-human ranges: 0.5 mg daily for 20 days in some studies; evidence reviews also report 5–10 mg intramuscularly daily for 10–20 days or 10–30 mg intranasally daily for 20–30 days. Modern clinics commonly use the 5–10 mg daily, 10–20 day cycle. These schedules are not FDA approved, and compound identity is not consistent across all historical studies.
Open research passport ↗InvestigationalPreclinical
Energy & longevity · Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Humanin
A mitochondrial stress-response peptide studied mainly as biology, not as an established human therapy.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported clinic range: 250 mcg–1 mg subcutaneously daily; some clinics use 2–5 mg two or three times weekly. These unapproved protocols may refer to native humanin or the much more potent S14G-humanin analog, so the exact molecule must be confirmed. No therapeutic human dosing trial has validated either range.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Sexual & reproductive · Vyleesi · PT-141
Bremelanotide
An as-needed melanocortin therapy for acquired, generalized HSDD in selected premenopausal women.DOSE CONTEXTThe Vyleesi label uses one 1.75 mg subcutaneous dose at least 45 minutes before anticipated sexual activity, no more than once in 24 hours and no more than 8 doses per month.
Open research passport ↗InvestigationalEarly human
Sexual & reproductive · KP-10
Kisspeptin-10
A reproductive-signaling peptide under study—not a consumer libido or fertility protocol.DOSE CONTEXTBest human-research range: IV boluses of 0.01–3 mcg/kg in healthy men; subcutaneous research also produced prolonged LH responses. Current clinics commonly publish 100–300 mcg subcutaneously per injection, once daily, every other day or a few times weekly. The clinic range is not FDA approved or validated as a general fertility, libido or testosterone protocol.
Open research passport ↗FDA-approvedHigh for approved indication
Sexual & reproductive · Pitocin · endogenous peptide hormone
Oxytocin
An established obstetric hormone whose intranasal bonding and wellness uses remain unapproved.DOSE CONTEXTFor labor induction or augmentation, the Pitocin label starts an IV infusion at 0.5–1 milliunit/minute and increases by 1–2 milliunits/minute every 30–60 minutes until an adequate contraction pattern is established. For postpartum uterine bleeding, labels describe 10 units IM after placental delivery or 10–40 units in 1,000 mL IV diluent titrated to uterine tone. There is no FDA-approved intranasal wellness dose.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Cognition & sleep · ACTH(4–7)-PGP analog
Semax
A neuroactive peptide marketed for focus and brain recovery without an FDA-approved indication.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported intranasal range: 200–600 mcg total per day, divided into 2–3 administrations for 5–14 days. This comes from Russian/Eastern European use and current clinic references, not an FDA-approved U.S. regimen. Higher-concentration acute-neurologic protocols are not nootropic dosing and require hospital-level context.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Cognition & sleep · TP-7
Selank
An anxiolytic peptide analog with limited human evidence and no approved U.S. product.DOSE CONTEXTRegistered Russian-product range: 300 mcg intranasally three times daily—900 mcg/day—for 10–14 days. Current clinic sources often publish 300–600 mcg/day in divided intranasal doses. These are international-label or market-use numbers, not an FDA-approved U.S. anxiety regimen.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedInsufficient
Cognition & sleep · Emideltide · delta sleep-inducing peptide
DSIP
A sleep-associated peptide whose name promises more than the human evidence supports.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported sleep-use range: 100–300 mcg subcutaneously 30–60 minutes before bedtime for 2–4 weeks. An indexed human-use record reports 25 nmol/kg intravenously in a different experimental context. The bedtime range is not FDA approved or validated as an insomnia guideline.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedEarly human
Immune & gut · Thymalfasin · Zadaxin
Thymosin alpha-1
An immune-modulating peptide used in some countries but not FDA-approved in the United States.DOSE CONTEXTBest-established international thymalfasin regimen: 1.6 mg subcutaneously twice weekly, spaced 3–4 days apart; patients under 40 kg have been dosed at 40 mcg/kg twice weekly. Historical hepatitis regimens commonly continued 6–12 months. This is international-label and trial context—not an FDA-approved U.S. or universal immune-wellness protocol.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedPreclinical
Immune & gut · Lys-Pro-Val · alpha-MSH fragment
KPV
A three-amino-acid anti-inflammatory fragment marketed for gut and skin health without human exposure data.DOSE CONTEXTMost commonly reported clinic/community range: 200–500 mcg once daily orally or subcutaneously for 4–8 weeks; some oral protocols use 500 mcg–1 mg/day. FDA has identified no human exposure data for KPV drug products, so these are market-use ranges based largely on preclinical rationale—not approved or evidence-based human doses.
Open research passport ↗Not FDA-approvedPreclinical
Immune & gut · Cathelicidin LL-37
LL-37
An endogenous antimicrobial peptide with complex immune and tumor biology—not a general infection defense.DOSE CONTEXTBest human dose evidence is topical: venous-leg-ulcer trials applied 0.5 or 1.6 mg/mL twice weekly for 4 weeks; 3.2 mg/mL caused more local reactions. Reported systemic clinic/community protocols range from about 100–500 mcg subcutaneously daily to 50 mcg/kg daily, but no injectable human trial validates them. The topical study cannot be converted into an FDA-approved systemic dose.
Open research passport ↗04 / REAL-WORLD CHECKS
Research does not end at the molecule.
Product identity, pharmacy legitimacy, sport rules and adverse-event reporting can matter as much as the headline claim.VERIFYCheck an online pharmacy.
Use FDA’s BeSafeRx tools before purchasing prescription medicine online.
Open FDA BeSafeRx ↗ATHLETESCheck sport status.Many peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances are prohibited. Search the exact active ingredient and confirm with your governing body.
Open Global DRO ↗REPORTDocument a serious problem.FDA MedWatch accepts reports about serious reactions, product-quality problems, use errors and therapeutic failures.
Open FDA MedWatch ↗Competitive-sport rules change and can be substance-, route- and timing-specific. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List is in force; Global DRO is a medication-status reference, not a substitute for your anti-doping organization.
BEFORE ANY PEPTIDE
Verify five things before a needle ever enters the conversation.
- 01Exact identity
Brand, molecule, salt or analog, concentration, route and lot.
- 02Regulatory status
Approved product, lawful compounding need, clinical trial or gray market.
- 03Human evidence
Meaningful outcomes in people—not only animal mechanisms or testimonials.
- 04Clinical fit
Diagnosis, contraindications, medication interactions and monitoring plan.
- 05Exit criteria
What success means, when to reassess and which symptoms mean stop.
THE MODERN BIO STANDARD