Peptides

What is actually authorised, and what is not

Almost every page that ranks for these names is selling something. This one states each peptide’s regulatory position, with a source and a date, and nothing else.

This section gives no doses and no protocols. For most of what follows there is no authorised human dose to give, and a number printed here would look exactly like one on a seller’s page. If you are considering any of these, that conversation belongs with a clinician who knows your history.

Status at a glance

Strongest evidence first. Checked against the cited sources on 2026-09-27.

Peptide	Status	In sport
Bremelanotide (PT-141)Melanocortin receptor agonist	Approved medicine	—
LiraglutideGLP-1 receptor agonist	Approved medicine	—
SemaglutideGLP-1 receptor agonist	Approved medicine	—
TesamorelinGrowth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue	Approved medicine	Prohibited (WADA)
TirzepatideDual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist	Approved medicine	—
RetatrutideGIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist	In clinical trials	—
CJC-1295Growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue	No human authorisation	Prohibited (WADA)
GHK-Cu (copper peptide)Copper-binding tripeptide	Cosmetic ingredient	—
IpamorelinGrowth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist)	No human authorisation	Prohibited (WADA)
BPC-157Synthetic gastric peptide fragment	Regulatory gap	Prohibited (WADA)
TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment)Thymosin beta-4 fragment	Regulatory gap	Prohibited (WADA)

Approved medicines that are peptides

Ordinary prescription medicines, with authorised strengths, pack sizes and an authorisation holder.

SemaglutideApproved medicineGLP-1 receptor agonistA GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide, authorised as a prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, under several brand names.Ozempic · Rybelsus · Wegovy

TirzepatideApproved medicineDual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonistA dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide, authorised as a prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes and weight management.Mounjaro · Zepbound

LiraglutideApproved medicineGLP-1 receptor agonistAn earlier, once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide, authorised for type 2 diabetes and for weight management.Victoza · Saxenda

TesamorelinApproved medicineGrowth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogueA synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, authorised for one narrow use: reducing excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.Egrifta

Bremelanotide (PT-141)Approved medicineMelanocortin receptor agonistA melanocortin receptor agonist peptide, authorised for acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.Vyleesi

In clinical trials

Being studied under regulatory oversight. Not authorised, and not for sale legitimately.

RetatrutideIn clinical trialsGIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonistAn investigational once-weekly peptide that acts on three hormone receptors, in late-stage clinical trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Research chemicals, cosmetics and compounding gaps

None of these is an authorised human medicine anywhere.

BPC-157Regulatory gapSynthetic gastric peptide fragmentA synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a sequence found in gastric juice, and the most-searched research peptide.

TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment)Regulatory gapThymosin beta-4 fragmentA synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, sold as a research chemical.

IpamorelinNo human authorisationGrowth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist)A growth-hormone secretagogue peptide. Developed pharmaceutically, never brought to market.

CJC-1295No human authorisationGrowth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogueA modified analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, developed pharmaceutically and never approved; often sold paired with ipamorelin.

GHK-Cu (copper peptide)Cosmetic ingredientCopper-binding tripeptideA copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) used in topical skincare.

Nothing on these pages is sponsored, and nothing will be. The only reason this section is worth reading is that it has nothing to sell — a sponsor would destroy the thing it was paying for. It is enforced in code: the commerce module cannot see this section.