Has an approved use

DDAVP · ADH Synthetic Analog

A synthetic antidiuretic-hormone (vasopressin) V2-receptor analog, FDA-approved for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting, nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria, and perioperative bleeding control in mild hemophilia A and type 1 von Willebrand disease. It also triggers release of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. Off-label memory-enhancement use is experimental and rests on limited, dated human data.

ADH Analog / MemoryFDA Approved. Central diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis, perioperative hemostasis in mild hemophilia A and type 1/2M von Willebrand disease, and nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria (Noctiva, 2017). NOT approved for memory or cognitive enhancement.

Pancreatic Alpha-Cell Hormone

Insulin's counter-regulatory hormone, FDA-approved for emergency hypoglycemia and the basis for the dual/triple agonist drug classes (tirzepatide, retatrutide).

Counter-Regulatory HormoneFDA Approved (emergency hypoglycemia)

The Original Peptide Drug (1922)

The first peptide drug ever used clinically (1922, Banting and Best in Toronto) and the first peptide structurally characterized and synthesized, the foundational proof that small amino-acid chains could be therapeutic drugs.

Metabolic / FoundationalFDA approved. Recombinant human insulin (Eli Lilly Humulin) approved 30 October 1982; many analog and formulation approvals since.

Lupron · GnRH Long-Acting Agonist

A long-acting GnRH agonist, FDA-approved for prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty. Paradoxically suppresses sex hormones through pituitary desensitization.

GnRH Agonist / Hormone SuppressionFDA Approved (Lupron)

Victoza / Saxenda (GLP-1 Analog)

A once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and the direct predecessor to semaglutide, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Outpaced by newer agents but still widely prescribed and cheaper in some markets.

GLP-1 AgonistFDA Approved (Victoza, Saxenda)

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist · Ozempic / Wegovy

The drug that pulled all of peptide medicine into the mainstream.

Metabolic / GLP-1FDA approved: Ozempic (injection) 2017 for type 2 diabetes, Rybelsus (oral) 2019 for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy (2.4 mg) 2021 for chronic weight management; later cardiovascular and kidney indications added.

Forteo · PTH (1-34) Fragment

A PTH (1-34) fragment, FDA-approved for severe osteoporosis and the gold-standard anabolic bone builder. Growing longevity interest for age-related bone loss.

Bone Anabolic / PTH AnalogFDA Approved (Forteo)

Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonist · Mounjaro / Zepbound

Beat semaglutide head-to-head: 20.2% vs 13.7%. The current peak of incretin medicine.

Metabolic / Dual IncretinFDA Approved (Mounjaro, Zepbound)

Decapeptyl · GnRH Long-Acting Agonist

A long-acting GnRH agonist, FDA-approved for prostate cancer via androgen deprivation. Used off-label in some hormone protocols.

GnRH Agonist / OncologyFDA Approved: Trelstar (triptorelin pamoate) for advanced prostate cancer; Triptodur (triptorelin depot) for central precocious puberty in children 2+

Tymlos · PTHrP Analog

A PTHrP analog FDA-approved to build bone in postmenopausal women (2017) and later in men (2022) with osteoporosis at high fracture risk. Its anabolic action draws bone-health interest, though use is limited to the approved osteoporosis setting.

Bone Anabolic / PTHrPFDA Approved (Tymlos), postmenopausal women 2017 and men at high fracture risk 2022; osteosarcoma boxed warning later removed

Scenesse · Melanotan I Analog

An FDA-approved alpha-MSH analog for erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare disorder of extreme sun sensitivity. Distinct from and far less risky than Melanotan II.

Alpha-MSH AnalogFDA Approved October 2019 (Scenesse, 16mg implant, EPP phototoxicity); EMA authorised December 2014

Byetta / Bydureon · Gila Monster Peptide

The first FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist (2005), derived from exendin-4 in Gila monster venom, the compound that launched the entire drug class. Now largely displaced by semaglutide and tirzepatide.

GLP-1 Agonist / Exendin-4FDA Approved: Byetta twice daily 28 Apr 2005 (first-in-class GLP-1 RA); Bydureon once weekly 27 Jan 2012

Dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist

Multiple randomized trials support weight and glycemic effects. Approval is limited by jurisdiction, and the long-term safety record is still developing.

Metabolic / Dual receptor agonistGovernmental and issuer-filed sources record approval for chronic weight management in China and Macau and for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. No United States or European Union approval was established in the reviewed sources. Approval is indication-specific and jurisdiction-specific.

Symlin / Amylin Analog

A synthetic amylin analog, FDA-approved as an adjunct to insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Reduces post-meal glucose spikes; underutilized despite approval.

Amylin / AppetiteFDA-approved 2005 (SYMLIN); boxed warning for severe hypoglycemia with insulin

Bremelanotide · Melanocortin Agonist (Vyleesi)

The only FDA-approved peptide for sexual dysfunction, and the one most used off-label.

Sexual DysfunctionFDA approved June 2019 as Vyleesi (bremelanotide injection, 1.75 mg subcutaneous) for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women; off-label injectable PT-141 for male ED or general libido is unapproved, and compounded PT-141 (including nasal spray) is not FDA-approved.

GHRH Analog (Egrifta)

The only FDA-approved GHRH analog. Reduces visceral fat. Widely used off-label.

GH-Releasing / GHRH AnalogFDA approved November 10, 2010 (Egrifta) for excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy; F8 formulation approved as Egrifta WR. No approval for anti-aging, GH optimization, or body recomposition in healthy adults.

Prialt · Cone Snail Toxin Peptide

An FDA-approved pain medication derived from cone-snail venom, delivered only intrathecally (into the spinal cord). Powerful relief for refractory chronic pain.

Pain / N-Type Calcium Channel BlockerFDA approved December 28, 2004 (Prialt, intrathecal infusion) with boxed warning for severe psychiatric and neurological adverse effects

Gattex · GLP-2 Receptor Agonist

GLP-2 is an intestinotrophic gut hormone. Its DPP-4-resistant analog teduglutide (Gattex/Revestive) is FDA-approved for short bowel syndrome and reduces the need for intravenous nutrition, but native GLP-2 sold for leaky gut and IBD is an unapproved research chemical with no human trials.

GI Mucosal / Gut TrophicTeduglutide FDA Approved (Gattex, adults 2012; children 1yr+ 2019); native GLP-2 not approved

Synthetic GnRH

Gonadorelin is the natural GnRH decapeptide. It was formerly FDA-approved as Factrel for pituitary diagnostic testing and as Lutrepulse for pulsatile ovulation induction, both now discontinued in the US, so it is available only through compounding. Men's TRT clinics now use it off-label, injecting it to keep the testes stimulated during testosterone therapy, an unapproved application that the clinics themselves acknowledge has a limited controlled-trial base.

GnRH / ReproductiveFormerly FDA-approved as Factrel (diagnostic) and Lutrepulse (pulsatile ovulation-induction therapy); both discontinued for commercial reasons; no FDA-approved product currently marketed in the US, available only via 503A/503B compounding by prescription.

Nine-AA Hypothalamic Neuropeptide

The first peptide ever synthesized, a Nobel Prize, 1955. Now an intranasal favorite.

Social Bonding / NeuromodulatorIV oxytocin (Pitocin) FDA-approved for labor induction/stimulation and postpartum bleeding; intranasal oxytocin NOT approved, compounded off-label

Gly-Pro-Hyp · Oral Collagen

A purified low-molecular-weight fraction of hydrolyzed collagen enriched in the Gly-Pro-Hyp tripeptide, taken orally for skin and joint support. Small RCTs report gains in hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles, but a 2025 meta-analysis found those benefits concentrated in industry-funded and low-quality trials and non-significant in high-quality independent studies, and the digested-to-amino-acids versus bioactive-signaling question remains unresolved.

Oral CollagenNot FDA-approved as a drug; marketed as a food ingredient / dietary supplement. Hydrolyzed collagen is generally treated as a conventional food protein, but 'GRAS / approved' overstates a specific FDA determination for collagen tripeptide; the accurate status is an unapproved (for any disease claim) food ingredient sold under DSHEA, not an FDA-approved product.

GHRH 1-29 Analog (Geref)

FDA-approved analog whose approval lapsed for commercial reasons. The conservative entry to GH work.

GH-Releasing / GHRH AnalogGeref (sermorelin acetate) was FDA-approved in 1997 for pediatric growth hormone deficiency; the manufacturer EMD Serono voluntarily discontinued it in 2008 and requested withdrawal of NDA 20-443 for commercial, not safety, reasons. No FDA-approved sermorelin product exists today; all current use is off-label via compounding pharmacies.