Pegvisomant
Pegvisomant is an FDA-approved growth hormone receptor antagonist. Pegvisomant carries mutations that preserve binding at growth hormone receptor site 1 while disrupting site 2, so it occupies the receptor but cannot drive the functional dimerisation required for signalling. Blocking receptor activation lowers hepatic IGF-1 production.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
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- Molecular Weight (MW)
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- Half-life
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- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- subcutaneous
- Frequency
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- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
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.
Peptide Library's Pegvisomant profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
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- Frequency
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- Cycle
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- Administration Route
- subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
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Science
Mechanism of Action
Pegvisomant carries mutations that preserve binding at growth hormone receptor site 1 while disrupting site 2, so it occupies the receptor but cannot drive the functional dimerisation required for signalling. Blocking receptor activation lowers hepatic IGF-1 production. Because it acts downstream of the pituitary, circulating growth hormone concentrations are not reduced and IGF-1 rather than GH is used to monitor response.
Regulatory & research status
Pegvisomant is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
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Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Pegvisomant: frequently asked questions
What is Pegvisomant?
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.
How does Pegvisomant work?
Pegvisomant carries mutations that preserve binding at growth hormone receptor site 1 while disrupting site 2, so it occupies the receptor but cannot drive the functional dimerisation required for signalling. Blocking receptor activation lowers hepatic IGF-1 production.
Is Pegvisomant FDA approved?
Yes. Pegvisomant is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What peptides are similar to Pegvisomant?
Compounds most often compared with Pegvisomant include Human Growth Hormone (Somatropin), Somapacitan, Lonapegsomatropin and Somatrogon. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- [Pegvisomant in the treatment of acromegaly] — Vnitr Lek, 2022External reference
- Pegvisomant for acromegaly — Aust Prescr, 2017External reference
- Pegvisomant, 2006External reference
- Pegvisomant Pfizer/Sensus — Curr Opin Investig Drugs, 2004External reference
- Pegvisomant: structure and function — J Mol Endocrinol, 2002External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Pegvisomant profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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