Terlipressin
Terlipressin is a research peptide in the Vasopressin Receptor Agonist class. Terlipressin is a triglycyl-lysine derivative of vasopressin that is cleaved by endothelial peptidases to release lysine-vasopressin gradually, giving a longer effective duration than vasopressin itself. Preferential V1a activity produces splanchnic vasoconstriction, which reduces portal inflow and portal pressure and can redistribute blood volume toward the systemic and renal circulation.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 14636-12-5
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 1227.4 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Synthetic vasopressin prodrug approved in the United States to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome and rapid reduction in renal function. Used more widely outside the US for variceal bleeding.
Peptide Library's Terlipressin 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
- —
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Terlipressin is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C52H74N16O15S2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 1227.4 g/mol |
| CAS number | 14636-12-5 |
| PubChem CID | 72081 |
| FDA UNII | 7Z5X49W53P |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL4088899 |
| DrugBank | DB02638 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Terlipressin is a triglycyl-lysine derivative of vasopressin that is cleaved by endothelial peptidases to release lysine-vasopressin gradually, giving a longer effective duration than vasopressin itself. Preferential V1a activity produces splanchnic vasoconstriction, which reduces portal inflow and portal pressure and can redistribute blood volume toward the systemic and renal circulation.
Studies
- Terlipressin for Hepatorenal Syndrome in Patients With Early-Stage Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
- Noradrenaline or terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome?
- Low-dose continuous terlipressin infusion is effective and safer than intravenous bolus injections in reducing portal pressure and control of acute variceal bleeding
- Terlipressin plus Albumin for the Treatment of Type 1 Hepatorenal Syndrome
- Terlipressin Is Superior to Noradrenaline in the Management of Acute Kidney Injury in Acute on Chronic Liver Failure
Regulatory & research status
Terlipressin 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
—
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.
Terlipressin: frequently asked questions
What is Terlipressin?
Synthetic vasopressin prodrug approved in the United States to improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome and rapid reduction in renal function. Used more widely outside the US for variceal bleeding.
How does Terlipressin work?
Terlipressin is a triglycyl-lysine derivative of vasopressin that is cleaved by endothelial peptidases to release lysine-vasopressin gradually, giving a longer effective duration than vasopressin itself. Preferential V1a activity produces splanchnic vasoconstriction, which reduces portal inflow and portal pressure and can redistribute blood volume toward the systemic and renal circulation.
Is Terlipressin FDA approved?
Yes. Terlipressin 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 Terlipressin?
Compounds most often compared with Terlipressin include Vasopressin, Desmopressin, Angiotensin II and Cetrorelix. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Terlipressin for Hepatorenal Syndrome in Patients With Early-Stage Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure — Liver Int, 2025External reference
- Noradrenaline or terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome? — Medwave, 2015External reference
- Low-dose continuous terlipressin infusion is effective and safer than intravenous bolus injections in reducing portal pressure and control of acute variceal bleeding — Hepatol Int, 2023External reference
- Terlipressin plus Albumin for the Treatment of Type 1 Hepatorenal Syndrome — N Engl J Med, 2021External reference
- Terlipressin Is Superior to Noradrenaline in the Management of Acute Kidney Injury in Acute on Chronic Liver Failure — Hepatology, 2020External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
Related peptides
Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Terlipressin 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
Track Terlipressin research, inventory and reconstitution in the free Peptide Library app. Get the app for iOS or Android →