Peptide library

Graded guides to 30 peptides and GLP-1 drugs, from FDA documents and published trials. MoveWell sells nothing.

By MoveWell Research TeamUpdated November 1, 2026

30 guides

What the badges mean

FDA-approved

Semaglutide

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Wegovy pill

5/5FDA-approved

Type 2 diabetes, weight management, and lowering heart and kidney risk.

Weight loss
FDA-approved

Tirzepatide

Mounjaro, Zepbound

5/5FDA-approved

Type 2 diabetes, weight management and sleep apnea with obesity.

Weight loss
In trials

Retatrutide

No brand name. Eli Lilly's investigational triple agonist

4/5Strong human trials, not approved

Weight loss and type 2 diabetes, in phase 3 trials only.

Weight loss
Cosmetic

GHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide-1, prezatide copper, copper peptide

3/5Limited human, for skin only

Skin serums for wrinkles and firmness. Also sold for hair and healing, with weaker evidence.

Skin and hair
Cosmetic

AHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide-3, alanyl-histidyl-lysine copper

2/5Lab only, for hair

Hair serums for thinning hair. Tested on follicles in a dish, not on scalps.

Skin and hair
Compounded gray zone

BPC-157

Body Protection Compound-157, Bepecin, PL 14736

2/5Almost all animal data

Injected for tendon, muscle and gut healing. No human study shows a clear benefit.

Recovery
Compounded gray zone

TB-500

Ac-LKKTETQ, thymosin β4 fragment 17–23

2/5Animal and lab only

Injected for injury recovery. No study has given it to a person.

Recovery
Compounded gray zone

Epitalon

Epithalon, AEDG, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly

2/5Mostly lab and animal data

Sold for aging, telomeres and sleep. FDA found no evidence it helps insomnia.

Not a peptide

MK-677

Ibutamoren, MK-0677, LUM-201

3/5Limited human trials

A pill taken for growth hormone and muscle. Trials raised lean mass but not strength.

Growth hormone
Research chemical

DSIP

Delta sleep-inducing peptide, emideltide

3/5Small 1980s IV studies

Sold for sleep and drug withdrawal. FDA advisers rejected it in 2026, and small IV trials found little benefit.

Sleep
Research chemical

Pinealon

Glu-Asp-Arg, EDR peptide, a Khavinson bioregulator

2/5Mostly cell and rat studies

Sold for sleep, memory and aging. Mostly cell and rat studies from one Russian group, and no sleep study.

Sleep · Focus and memory
Compounded gray zone

KPV

Lys-Pro-Val, α-MSH (11–13), KPV acetate

2/5Mouse and cell studies only

Sold for gut and skin inflammation. Tested only in mice and cells, and HHS covers it only as a cream or pill.

Skin and hair
Compounded gray zone

MOTS-c

Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c, MOTSc, MOTS-c acetate

2/5Mouse and lab data

Injected for weight, blood sugar and endurance. Mouse data only so far, and banned in sport at all times.

Weight loss
Compounded gray zone

Semax

Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, MEHFPGP, ACTH(4–7)PGP

3/5Small Russian trials, mostly in stroke

Nasal spray sold for focus and memory. Small Russian trials are mostly in stroke, and HHS covers it only as a nasal product.

Focus and memory
Research chemical

Selank

Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, TKPRPGP, selank acetate, TP-7

3/5Small Russian anxiety studies

Nasal spray sold for anxiety and focus. Small Russian studies only, and no legal US source.

Focus and memory
Research chemical

CJC-1295

CJC-1295 with DAC, DAC:GRF, CJC-1295 no DAC, mod GRF(1-29)

3/5Hormone-level studies in healthy adults

Injected for growth hormone, muscle and fat loss. Only hormone-level studies exist, and US pharmacies can't compound it.

Growth hormone
Research chemical

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin acetate, Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

3/5One hormone study and a failed surgery trial

Injected for growth hormone, muscle and fat loss. Its main trial, in bowel surgery, failed, and there's no legal US source.

Growth hormone
Compounded gray zone

Sermorelin

Sermorelin acetate, Geref, GRF(1-29)NH2, GHRH(1-29)

3/5Approved for children until 2009

Injected for growth hormone, energy and aging. Once FDA-approved for children; pharmacies compound it, but adult studies are small and mixed.

Growth hormone
FDA-approved

Tesamorelin

Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR, TH9507

5/5FDA-approved for one use: excess belly fat in adults with HIV

Approved only to reduce deep belly fat in adults with HIV. Not a weight-loss drug, and no evidence for muscle or anti-aging.

Weight loss · Growth hormone
Research chemical

Hexarelin

Examorelin, EP 23905, His-D-2-Me-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

3/5Small, short human studies of hormone levels and heart pumping

Injected for growth hormone, muscle and heart claims. Short human studies only, and the effect fades with daily use.

Growth hormone
Research chemical

Tabimorelin

NN703, NN-703, NNC-26-0703

3/5A few short human studies

An oral growth hormone booster dropped in development. Most adults with growth hormone deficiency didn't respond.

Growth hormone
Not a peptide

Anamorelin

Adlumiz, anamorelin hydrochloride, ONO-7643

4/5Large phase 3 trials in cancer cachexia

A pill for weight loss in advanced cancer, approved only in Japan. Adds 1 to 2 kg but not strength.

FDA-approved

Macimorelin

Macrilen, Ghryvelin, macimorelin acetate, AEZS-130

5/5FDA-approved as a one-time test for adult growth hormone deficiency

A one-time drink to test adults for growth hormone deficiency. Not a treatment, and not sold in the US since 2023.

Growth hormone
Research chemical

Lenomorelin (ghrelin)

Ghrelin, human ghrelin, acyl-ghrelin, lenomorelin acetate, OXE103

3/5Small, short human studies

The body's own hunger hormone, given by IV in small studies. Raises appetite briefly. No legal US source.

Research chemical

AOD-9604

AOD9604, Tyr-hGH(177–191), growth hormone fragment

3/5Human trials in about 900 people

Injected for fat loss. Its own obesity trials found no benefit, and there is no legal US source.

Weight loss
Research chemical

IGF-1 LR3

Long R3 IGF-I, LR3-IGF-I, long-(Arg3) IGF-1

2/5Rat and lab studies only

Injected for muscle growth. No published human study, and approved IGF-1 carries low blood sugar warnings.

Growth hormone
In trials

Thymosin beta-4

Tβ4, TB4, RGN-259, RGN-137, NL005

3/5Real human trials in eye and skin disease

Sold as TB4 for injury recovery. Its human trials were in eye and skin disease and mostly missed their goals. Not TB-500, and not compoundable.

Recovery
Not a peptide

Pentosan polysulfate

Elmiron, PPS, iPPS, Zilosul, Zycosan, Cartrophen

3/5For joints: small human studies, and the phase 3 knee trial failed its interim test

A bladder-pain drug and horse arthritis shot, injected off-label for joints. Its phase 3 knee trial failed in 2026, and long use can damage the retina.

Recovery
FDA-approved

PT-141

Bremelanotide, Vyleesi, bremelanotide acetate

5/5Approved for low desire in premenopausal women

Approved as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Small benefit, frequent nausea, and not approved for men.

Research chemical

Thymosin alpha-1

Thymalfasin, Tα1, TA1, Zadaxin

3/5Mixed human trials

Sold as an immune booster. Approved abroad, but the largest trial, in sepsis, found no benefit, and there's no legal US source.

The grade is for the best-supported use.

Not covered yet:
  • Melanotan II

How to read this library

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. A few are approved drugs, such as semaglutide. Many more are sold with little or no testing in people. Each card has two labels: where the peptide comes from, and how much evidence backs it.

Status badges

What the law allows today, from FDA and HHS documents and drug labels.

  • FDA-approvedFDA reviewed trials for a specific use and inspects how it is made. Sold with a prescription through ordinary pharmacies.
  • In trialsStill being tested in people. Not approved, and no legal way to buy it.
  • Compounded gray zoneMade by a licensed pharmacy for one patient, with a prescription. Not FDA-approved: FDA doesn't review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality.1
  • Research chemicalSold online "for research use only", not for people. Nobody checks purity or dose, and FDA has warned sellers that the label is no excuse.2
  • CosmeticSold in skin or hair products. Cosmetics don't need FDA approval and can't claim to treat disease.
  • Not a peptideSold or discussed alongside peptides, but not a peptide. Usually a small-molecule drug.

Evidence grade, 1 to 5

How much research supports the best-supported use. Each guide grades every claimed use separately.

5FDA-approved for that use
4Strong human: large randomized trials
3Limited human: small or non-randomized studies
2Animal or lab only
1Anecdotal: user reports, no study

A grade measures how much evidence exists, not whether it was good news. We read the primary sources (FDA reviews, labels, trial papers and registries) and mark anything we couldn't confirm as unverified.

HHS change, October 28, 2026: HHS said it won't act against licensed pharmacies that compound six peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, one per product and with a prescription. It is interim and is not FDA approval.3 Regulatory tracker

Stacks, comparisons and the tracker

Stacks

All five stacks, graded. None has shown an added benefit in people.

GLOW1/5GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500KLOW1/5GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500 + KPVWolverine2/5BPC-157 + TB-500GHK-Cu + microneedling3/5topical GHK-Cu + microneedlingGHK-Cu + red light2/5topical GHK-Cu + LED light

Comparisons

All seven comparisons

Semaglutide vs tirzepatideOzempic and Wegovy vs Mounjaro and Zepbound: weight loss, approved uses and prices.BPC-157 vs TB-500Often injected together as the Wolverine stack. Neither has human evidence for injuries.GHK-Cu vs AHK-CuTwo copper peptides one amino acid apart: GHK-Cu for skin, AHK-Cu for hair.

Regulatory tracker

Updated November 1, 2026Peptide regulatory trackerEvery FDA and HHS decision on consumer peptides since 2023, newest first, with each peptide's status today.

FAQ

Are peptides legal?

It depends on the peptide and how it is sold. Approved drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are legal with a prescription. Under the interim HHS policy, licensed pharmacies can compound six peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, with a prescription; that is not FDA approval, and state rules still apply. Cosmetic peptides such as topical GHK-Cu are sold legally in skin care. Products sold as research chemicals aren't approved for people. Each guide covers the details, and the regulatory tracker has the history.

What is a research chemical?

A substance sold "for research use only" or "not for human consumption". There is no prescription and no check on purity, dose or sterility. Many peptides sold online, including pre-mixed blends like GLOW, are sold this way. In August 2026 FDA warned five peptide sellers that the label doesn't excuse products clearly meant for people.

Does MoveWell sell peptides?

No. MoveWell doesn't sell peptides or anything else. Some links on our guides, for example to a pharmacy, telehealth service or skin care brand, go through movewellapp.com/go/ and may earn us a commission. A commission never decides what we list, the order or the grade. We never link to "research use only" sellers.

References

3 sources, with links
  1. FDA. Compounding and the FDA: questions and answers. "Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved," and FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold. fda.gov
  2. ArentFox Schiff. RUO-ined: five peptide vendors learn "research use only" is not a legal strategy (Aug 2026). Link
  3. HHS. Notice of availability: 503A enforcement discretion policy for certain peptide bulk drug substances. Federal Register public inspection, FR Doc. 2026-22192; Docket HHS-OASH-2026-0496 (Oct 28, 2026; publication scheduled Oct 30). PDF

This page is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a clinician before using any peptide.

MoveWell sells nothing. Some links may earn us a commission, which never decides what is listed or the order. We never link to "research use only" sellers.