Approved vs research-only

Regulatory status.

Approval status is a regulatory fact, separate from how strong the evidence is. A few tracked compounds are approved drugs for specific indications; most are research-use-only and not approved for the uses commonly discussed online.

FDA-approved11

AfamelanotideApproved 2019 (Scenesse implant) to increase pain-free light exposure in erythropoietic protoporphyria. Not approved for tanning.GonadorelinApproved historically for humans (Factrel, Lutrepulse); those US products are discontinued and current human access is largely via compounding.HCGChorionic gonadotropin (Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) is approved for specified fertility and endocrine indications. Not approved for weight loss.Human Growth HormoneRecombinant human growth hormone (somatropin) is approved for specific deficiency indications.LiraglutideApproved (Victoza, Saxenda) for type 2 diabetes and weight management.OxytocinApproved (e.g. Pitocin) for obstetric indications.Pentosan PolysulfatePentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) is approved for interstitial cystitis.PT-141Bremelanotide (Vyleesi), approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.SemaglutideApproved (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.TesamorelinApproved (Egrifta) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.TirzepatideApproved (Mounjaro, Zepbound) for type 2 diabetes and weight management.

Investigational12

ACE-031Reached randomized human trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy; development was discontinued in 2011 on safety grounds.CagrilintideIn clinical development; not approved.CagriSemaIn clinical development; not approved.CerebrolysinRegistered and used clinically in a number of countries; not FDA-approved and not marketed in the US.CortexinRegistered prescription medicine in Russia and several neighbouring states; not FDA-approved.LarazotideReached Phase 3 for celiac disease; the pivotal trial was halted for futility and it is not approved.MazdutideIn late-stage trials, most advanced in China (IBI362); not FDA or EMA approved.RetatrutideIn clinical trials; not approved.SS-31Investigational; currently in registered human clinical trials and not approved.SurvodutideIn Phase 3 obesity and MASH trials (BI 456906); not approved.ThymalinRegistered as a medicine in Russia; not FDA or EMA approved.Thymosin α-1Approved in several countries (Zadaxin); not FDA-approved.

Research-use-only45

5-Amino-1MQ Adipotide AOD-9604 Argireline B7-33 BPC-157 CJC-1295 CJC-1295 DAC Dihexa DSIP Epitalon Follistatin-344 FOXO4-DRI GHK-Cu GHRP-1 GHRP-2 GHRP-6 Glutathione Hexarelin HGH Fragment 176-191 Humanin IGF-1 LR3 Ipamorelin Kisspeptin KPV LL-37 Matrixyl Melanotan II MGF Mod-GRF (1-29)MOTS-c N-Acetyl Semax Amidate P21 PE-22-28 PEG-MGF Pinealon PTD-DBM Selank Semax Sermorelin SNAP-8 TB-500 Thymosin β-4 Vilon VIP

Several peptides are also prohibited in sport. See the WADA note. Regulatory status can change; this reflects a conservative, public-record snapshot.

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