Muscle and recovery peptides

Muscle/Recovery • FDA-approved PTHrP analog • Established

FDA-approved parathyroid hormone–related peptide analog (Tymlos) for postmenopausal osteoporosis at high fracture risk. Daily 80 mcg subcutaneous injection; treatment typically limited to 2 years.

Fat Loss • Soluble activin receptor IIB fusion protein / discontinued • Emerging

Fusion protein of the activin receptor type IIB extracellular domain with an IgG1 Fc region, developed as a myostatin pathway inhibitor for muscular dystrophy. Clinical development was discontinued after vascular adverse events. Not FDA-approved.

Fat Loss • AMPK activator / research • Experimental

Adenosine analog studied as an AMP-activated protein kinase activator in metabolic and exercise-physiology research. Not FDA-approved. It is prohibited in sport under the WADA gene and metabolic modulators category.

Fat Loss • Investigational oral ghrelin receptor agonist • Emerging

Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist developed for cancer cachexia and approved for that use in Japan. It has not been approved by the FDA, which cited insufficient evidence of functional benefit.

Fat Loss • GH C-terminal fragment analog • Experimental

Modified C-terminal hGH fragment studied for lipolysis without GH-receptor growth effects. Not FDA-approved. WADA prohibits GH fragments including AOD-9604 (S2).

Muscle/Recovery • Innate Repair Receptor agonist / investigational • Emerging

Helix-B surface peptide (cibinetide) that selectively activates the innate repair receptor without stimulating erythropoiesis. Investigational for small-fiber neuropathy and sarcoidosis.

Muscle/Recovery • Relaxin-2 analog / research • Emerging

Single-chain relaxin-2 analog designed at Monash University as an RXFP1 agonist for anti-fibrotic and vasodilatory research. Preclinical; not FDA-approved.

Muscle/Recovery • FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor • Established

FDA-approved bivalent direct thrombin inhibitor used with PCI. IV bolus plus infusion per labeled weight-based regimen; hospital use only.

Muscle/Recovery • Healing / Regenerative • Experimental

Synthetic gastric pentadecapeptide widely sold as a research chemical for tissue-repair models. Not FDA-approved; FDA has flagged it for compounding risk. WADA prohibits BPC-157 under S0.

Muscle/Recovery • Khavinson bioregulator / research • Experimental

Short peptide sold as a cardiac bioregulator in the Khavinson series. No FDA approval; evidence is historical Russian literature.

Muscle/Recovery • Khavinson bioregulator / research • Experimental

Ala-Glu-Asp, a synthetic tripeptide in the Khavinson bioregulator series, marketed for cartilage and connective-tissue research. Like others in the series it is proposed to act by influencing transcription in the tissue it is associated with, a hypothesis supported almost entirely by cell-culture and cytogenetic work from one research group. No controlled clinical evidence exists for joint or cartilage outcomes, and it is not FDA-approved.

Muscle/Recovery • Bioregulator / research mixture • Experimental

Marketed cartilage-support peptide blend rather than a single characterised active ingredient, with composition varying between suppliers. Because it is a mixture, no single mechanism, sequence or pharmacokinetic profile applies to it, and no pivotal trial has evaluated any branded product under this name. Not FDA-approved and not a treatment for arthritis or joint disease.

Fat Loss • Long-acting GHRH analog • Experimental

GHRH analog. Catalog “CJC-1295” often means the DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) form that extends half-life via albumin binding. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2 (GHRH analogues).

Fat Loss • Short-acting GHRH analog • Experimental

Modified GRF(1-29), a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog carrying four amino-acid substitutions that resist enzymatic breakdown but without the drug affinity complex group that makes the DAC version long-acting. It produces brief GH pulses lasting around thirty minutes rather than the multi-day elevation of DAC-CJC, and the two are pharmacologically distinct despite the shared name. Not FDA-approved. Prohibited in sport under WADA class S2.

Fat Loss • GHRH + GHS combination • Experimental

Research blend combining a GHRH analog (usually Mod GRF / CJC no DAC) with ipamorelin to stimulate GH via two receptor classes. Not FDA-approved. Both components are WADA S2.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide • Established

Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. FDA granted accelerated approval in September 2025 to Forzinity (elamipretide) to improve muscle strength in Barth syndrome patients ≥30 kg. Confirmatory trial required.

Fat Loss • Myostatin-binding glycoprotein / research • Experimental

Isoform of follistatin that binds myostatin/activin. Gene-therapy and research-peptide forms exist; no FDA-approved follistatin drug. WADA prohibits myostatin inhibitors (S4).

Fat Loss • TGF-beta superfamily growth factor / research • Experimental

Circulating member of the TGF-beta superfamily that became prominent in ageing research after parabiosis experiments, and whose reported rejuvenative effects have since been actively disputed. Not FDA-approved; no human trials.

Fat Loss • GH C-terminal fragment / research • Experimental

C-terminal fragment of human GH studied for lipolysis. Closely related to AOD-9604. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2 (GH fragments).

Muscle/Recovery • Copper tripeptide / cosmetic and research • Experimental

Endogenous glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex used widely in cosmetics for skin remodeling. Injectable research use is unapproved. USADA lists GHK (tripeptide-1) as not prohibited.

Fat Loss • Growth hormone-releasing peptide / research • Experimental

Synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue from the same series as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. Not FDA-approved and less studied than either. Human pharmacokinetic data is limited.

Fat Loss • GHS combination / research • Experimental

Blend of two ghrelin-receptor agonists. Both GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) and ipamorelin are WADA S2. Not FDA-approved as a combination.

Fat Loss • Ghrelin-receptor agonist / research • Experimental

Synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue and one of the earliest compounds in its class. It raises growth hormone through the ghrelin receptor, and because that is the receptor ghrelin uses to signal hunger it also produces marked appetite stimulation and increased gastric motility, along with rises in cortisol and prolactin. Those off-target effects prompted development of more selective agents such as ipamorelin. Not FDA-approved. Prohibited in sport under WADA class S2.

Muscle/Recovery • Regenerative-cosmetic blend • Experimental

Vendor blend typically combining GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500 for cosmetic/regenerative research. Not a single API; BPC-157 and TB-500 are WADA issues if the blend contains them.

Fat Loss • GHRP / research • Experimental

Potent GHRP (examorelin) that raises GH and can desensitize with frequent use. Also studied for cardiac GHSR effects. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved recombinant growth hormone • Established

FDA-approved recombinant 191-aa human growth hormone for GH deficiency and other labeled indications. WADA prohibits GH at all times (S2).

Fat Loss • IGF-1 / prescription (mecasermin) • Experimental

Endogenous growth factor. Recombinant mecasermin (Increlex) is FDA-approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency. Research vials are unapproved. WADA S2.

Fat Loss • Truncated IGF-1 analog / research • Experimental

IGF-1 lacking the first three amino acids, with reduced IGFBP binding and higher local potency in research models. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2.

Fat Loss • Modified IGF-1 analog / research • Experimental

Modified analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 carrying an arginine substitution at position 3 plus a thirteen-residue N-terminal extension, both of which reduce binding to IGF binding proteins. With less of the peptide sequestered, a larger free fraction remains available to the IGF-1 receptor and activity persists longer than native IGF-1. It is a research reagent with no approved use and no controlled human safety data. Prohibited in sport under WADA class S2.

Fat Loss • Selective GHS / research • Experimental

Pentapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist noted for GH release with relatively less ACTH/cortisol than older GHRPs. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2 (named).

Muscle/Recovery • Regenerative blend • Experimental

Vendor regenerative blend (commonly BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and KPV). Not a single drug; several components are WADA-prohibited or unapproved.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved somatostatin analog • Established

Long-acting somatostatin analog approved for acromegaly, for unresectable gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and for carcinoid syndrome.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved long-acting growth hormone prodrug • Established

Once-weekly prodrug of somatropin approved for paediatric growth hormone deficiency, designed to release unmodified growth hormone rather than to act as a modified analog.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved oral ghrelin receptor agonist • Established

Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist approved as a diagnostic agent for adult growth hormone deficiency. It is the first oral alternative to the insulin tolerance test for this indication.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved recombinant IGF-1 • Established

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and for growth hormone gene deletion with neutralising antibodies to growth hormone.

Fat Loss • IGF-1 splice variant / research • Experimental

Mechano growth factor is the IGF-1Ec splice variant induced by muscle loading. Research MGF peptides are not an FDA drug. WADA S2.

Fat Loss • Oral ghrelin-mimetic small molecule • Experimental

Oral non-peptide GH secretagogue (ibutamoren) that raises GH and IGF-1. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2 names ibutamoren (MK-677).

Fat Loss • FDA-approved multi-receptor somatostatin analog • Established

Somatostatin analog with a broader receptor binding profile than octreotide, approved for Cushing disease and for acromegaly in patients inadequately controlled by surgery or other somatostatin analogs.

Fat Loss • PEGylated IGF-1 splice variant / research • Experimental

PEGylated mechano-growth-factor (IGF-1Ec) analog sold for muscle-repair research. Not FDA-approved. WADA S2 (IGF / MGF).

Fat Loss • FDA-approved growth hormone receptor antagonist • Established

PEGylated growth hormone analog approved for acromegaly in patients with inadequate response to surgery, radiotherapy, or other medical therapy. It is a receptor antagonist rather than an agonist.

Muscle/Recovery • BPC-157 arginate salt / research • Experimental

Arginate salt form of the BPC-157 pentadecapeptide, marketed as a more stable alternative to the acetate salt. Not FDA-approved. Published research on the arginate form specifically is minimal; nearly all available evidence concerns BPC-157 itself.

Fat Loss • GHRP-2 / diagnostic GH secretagogue • Experimental

Pralmorelin is GHRP-2, used as a GH-stimulation diagnostic in Japan. Research vials are not that approved diagnostic. WADA S2 names GHRP-2 (pralmorelin).

Muscle/Recovery • PTH fragment / research or compounded • Experimental

PTH(1–34) analog class. The FDA-approved drug is teriparatide (Forteo/Bonsity). Research or compounded vials are not those products.

Fat Loss • GHRH(1-29) / discontinued US brand • Experimental

GHRH(1-29), the shortest fragment of growth hormone-releasing hormone that retains full activity at the pituitary GHRH receptor. It was marketed in the United States as Geref for paediatric growth hormone deficiency and as a diagnostic agent; the brand was discontinued in 2008 for commercial rather than safety reasons, and it remains available through compounding pharmacies. Because it stimulates the pituitary rather than replacing the hormone, it requires an intact somatotroph axis. Prohibited in sport under WADA class S2.

Fat Loss • ERR agonist / small molecule research • Experimental

Pan-estrogen-related-receptor agonist studied as an exercise mimetic in mice (2023). Not a peptide and not FDA-approved.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved long-acting growth hormone • Established

Once-weekly albumin-binding growth hormone derivative approved for growth hormone deficiency in adults and in children. It reduces injection frequency from daily to weekly.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved long-acting growth hormone fusion protein • Established

Long-acting recombinant human growth hormone in which the hormone is fused to three copies of the C-terminal peptide of the chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit. The added glycosylation slows clearance enough for once-weekly rather than daily injection. Marketed as Ngenla and FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency in children, it is a prescription medicine.

Fat Loss • Oral growth hormone secretagogue / discontinued • Emerging

Orally active growth hormone secretagogue investigated for growth hormone deficiency. Development was discontinued. Not FDA-approved.

Muscle/Recovery • Thymosin β4 fragment / research • Experimental

Usually sold as an acetylated thymosin-β4 actin-binding fragment (LKKTETQ), not full-length Tβ4. Not FDA-approved. Related to prohibited thymosin-β4 use in sport.

Muscle/Recovery • FDA-approved PTH(1-34) • Established

FDA-approved PTH(1–34) anabolic agent (Forteo/Bonsity) for osteoporosis at high fracture risk. 20 mcg SC daily; cumulative use generally ≤2 years.

Muscle/Recovery • Actin-sequestering peptide / research • Experimental

43-aa G-actin-sequestering peptide studied for wound healing and cardiac repair (timbetasin programs). Not FDA-approved. Distinct from the shorter TB-500 fragment.

Muscle/Recovery • Khavinson vascular bioregulator / research • Experimental

Peptide preparation derived from vascular tissue and sold as a cardiovascular bioregulator in the Khavinson tradition. It is a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides rather than a single characterised compound, and is distinct from Vesugen, the synthetic tripeptide associated with the same tissue. Supporting evidence is historical, regional and uncontrolled, and it is not FDA-approved.

Muscle/Recovery • Khavinson vascular tripeptide / research • Experimental

Lys-Glu-Asp, a synthetic tripeptide in the Khavinson bioregulator series associated with vascular tissue and endothelial function. It is distinct from Ventfort, the tissue extract marketed for the same purpose. The proposed activity rests on cell-culture and cytogenetic work from one research group published mainly in Russian, without independent replication or controlled human evidence. Not FDA-approved.

Fat Loss • FDA-approved C-type natriuretic peptide analog • Established

Analog of C-type natriuretic peptide approved to increase linear growth in children with achondroplasia who have open epiphyses.

Muscle/Recovery • Regenerative blend • Experimental

Common shop blend of BPC-157 plus TB-500. Not a single API. Both components are unapproved and WADA-relevant (BPC-157 is S0; TB-500/Tβ4 is prohibited-class).