Peptides were first discovered by Emil Fischer at the outset of the last century, but it was several decades before they would first be synthesized paving the way for peptide drugs. Midcentury scientists were producing basic molecules with simple structures and limited primarily to reproducing peptide chains found in nature.  By the 1970s, a drug form of the naturally occurring peptide, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in women. Another decade of research passed before FDA approved its use in men. These approvals happened on the heels of extensive research and clinical trials proving the drug to be safe and effective. 

Today, the majority of peptides advertised for use in so-called “peptide therapy” lack the scientific data proving their safety and efficacy, with many peptides having little or no data on the safe use in humans. Unlike hCG, drugs like CJC-1295, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and Ibutamoren are not naturally occurring peptides, with well researched effects. Nor have any of these peptides passed all phases of the FDA approval process necessary to permit their use. As a result, there are no legitimate pharmaceutical preparations that use these peptides as ingredients. To the contrary, FDA has expressly prohibited the use of these peptides in the compounded drug products used in peptide therapy.

Peptide science has expanded considerably since the first peptides were discovered. There are many promising peptides on the horizon, with the potential to achieve FDA approval. But as of today, the peptides used in “peptide therapy” are not FDA approved and have been officially deemed unsafe for use in compounded drugs.