Which Peptides Are FDA-Approved?
Which peptides are FDA-approved? GLP-1 drugs, Vyleesi, Egrifta, Scenesse and more vs popular peptides that are not. Not medical advice.
Anonymous user report. Not medical advice. Peptides discussed are not FDA-approved for the uses described. Editorial process →
Short answer
Dozens of peptide drugs are FDA-approved, including insulin and GLP-1 medicines. The ones most discussed alongside "wellness" peptides are below. Popular peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, GHK-Cu injections, epitalon, selank, semax, KPV and melanotan II are not FDA-approved. Peptide Confessions does not publish dosing, timing, injection or sourcing guidance.
| Approved peptide | Brand | Approved for |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Ozempic, Wegovy | Type 2 diabetes; weight management |
| Tirzepatide | Mounjaro, Zepbound | Type 2 diabetes; weight management; sleep apnea |
| Bremelanotide (PT-141) | Vyleesi | Low sexual desire in premenopausal women |
| Tesamorelin | Egrifta | Belly fat in HIV lipodystrophy |
| Afamelanotide | Scenesse | Light sensitivity in EPP |
| Elamipretide (SS-31) | Forzinity | Muscle strength in Barth syndrome — accelerated approval, 19 Sept 2025 |
| Teriparatide | Forteo | Osteoporosis |
| Leuprolide, octreotide, oxytocin | Various | Hormone conditions, labour |
Formerly approved
Sermorelin (Geref) was approved for children's growth-hormone deficiency until the maker withdrew it in 2008 for business reasons; it is now compounded.
More approved peptide drugs by area
Not exhaustive. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
| Area | Examples (brand) |
|---|---|
| Diabetes and weight | Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide (Byetta), pramlintide (Symlin), setmelanotide (Imcivree, for rare genetic obesity) |
| Bone | Teriparatide (Forteo), abaloparatide (Tymlos) |
| Gut | Linaclotide (Linzess), teduglutide (Gattex) |
| Hormones | Oxytocin, vasopressin, desmopressin, octreotide |
| Cancer and fertility | Leuprolide, degarelix, goserelin |
| Infection | Enfuvirtide (HIV), vancomycin and daptomycin (peptide antibiotics) |
Not peptides, often confused
Foundayo (orforglipron) is an approved GLP-1 pill but a small molecule, not a peptide. NMN and NAD+ are not peptides. MK-677 is a non-peptide oral secretagogue and not approved.
Approved drug vs research vial
An approved product has an FDA-reviewed label, a licensed manufacturer and a lot number traceable through the pharmacy. A vial labelled "research use only" with the same name is a different product, with no assurance of identity, dose or sterility. See are peptides legal? and peptide therapy.
Related topics
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More confessions from the archive
Community Q&A
- How many peptide drugs are FDA-approved?
- Dozens, including insulin, GLP-1 drugs, hormone analogues, bone drugs and peptide antibiotics. Most wellness peptides sold online are not among them.
- Is Foundayo a peptide?
- No. Orforglipron (Foundayo) is a small-molecule GLP-1 pill, approved in 2026.
- Is BPC-157 FDA-approved?
- No. It has never been approved. FDA listed it in compounding Category 2 in 2023; it was moved off in April 2026 after the nomination was withdrawn, without any safety finding or approval.
- Is PT-141 FDA-approved?
- Yes, as bremelanotide (Vyleesi), for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Research-labelled PT-141 is not the approved product.
- Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?
- Yes, as Egrifta, only for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
- Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
- It was, as Geref, until 2008. It is now available only through compounding.
Sources
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information — DailyMed (NLM)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information — DailyMed (NLM)
- Vyleesi (bremelanotide) prescribing information — DailyMed (NLM)
- FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (Category 2)
Anonymous first-hand reports plus sourced context — educational only, not medical advice. Editorial policy & corrections.