Patients often encounter peptide names before they know whether a substance is FDA approved, investigational, historically approved, or marketed outside established medical indications. This guide organizes the most commonly discussed options by evidence and regulatory status so patients can have a more informed conversation with a physician.
| Therapy | Commonly discussed goal | Important status note |
|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | Abdominal fat / body composition | FDA-approved product exists for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy; not approved for general weight-loss management |
| Sermorelin | Growth-hormone signaling | Historical approvals existed; no current FDA-approved sermorelin product |
| CJC-1295 | Growth-hormone signaling / body composition claims | No FDA-approved therapeutic product; limited clinical evidence and compounding safety questions |
| Ipamorelin | Growth-hormone secretagogue claims | No FDA-approved therapeutic product; limited evidence and safety concerns for compounded use |
| BPC-157 | Recovery / tissue-healing claims | Not FDA approved; human safety and effectiveness evidence is limited |
Ask four questions: Is there an FDA-approved product? Is the proposed use actually an approved indication? What human clinical evidence supports the claim? What are the known and unknown safety issues? A therapy can be biologically interesting without being proven, appropriate, or legally available for a particular use.
Our comprehensive initial physician evaluation is $450 and is designed to establish care, review medical history, symptoms, medications, prior treatments, lifestyle and goals, and order diagnostic testing when clinically appropriate. Follow-up physician visits are $250 and are used to review progress, laboratory results when applicable, side effects, and treatment adjustments. Prescription or peptide recommendations are never guaranteed as part of a consultation.
Explore the cluster: Peptide Therapy Los Angeles, BPC-157, CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin, Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, Peptide Therapy for Weight Loss, Body Composition & Muscle Preservation, and Safety & Side Effects.
No. Regulatory status varies widely. Some peptide-based drugs are FDA approved for specific indications, while others are investigational or unapproved.
No. The existence of an FDA-approved product does not mean every proposed use is an approved indication. Clinical appropriateness and labeling must be considered separately.
Written and medically reviewed by David Nazarian, MD, Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Educational information only.
