The Peptide Cheat Sheet
Regulatory Status, Routes & What You Can Actually Offer
From The Stack, Issue #1 - April 2026
Peptides sit in a shifting regulatory landscape. Use this cheat sheet to understand what each compound does, how it's delivered, and where today's guardrails sit so you can message responsibly.
| Compound | Mechanism | Route | Regulatory Status | Evidence Tier | Supplement or Rx? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Angiogenic + tissue-repair signaling peptide derived from gastric proteins | Oral capsules, subcutaneous injection | Not FDA-approved; 503A Category 2 under PCAC review | Preclinical + small human case series | Compounded research use; not a dietary supplement |
| Ipamorelin | Ghrelin mimetic that stimulates growth hormone release | Subcutaneous injection | Not FDA-approved; often sourced via research compounding | Small human trials; off-label performance use | Compounded Rx in select jurisdictions |
| MOTS-C | Mitochondrial-derived peptide that modulates metabolic signaling | Subcutaneous injection | Investigational; no FDA approval | Early human pilot + animal data | Research-only; not lawful for supplement sale |
| Semax | ACTH(4-7) analog with proposed neuroprotective effects | Intranasal spray | Not FDA-approved; used clinically in Russia/Ukraine | Regional clinical use; limited Western trials | Imported/compounded research use |
| Epitalon | Telomerase-modulating tetrapeptide; may influence circadian signaling | Subcutaneous injection | Not FDA-approved; flagged as bulk API risk | Animal + legacy human data; low-powered studies | Research-only; not a dietary supplement |
| GHK-Cu | Copper-binding peptide that supports collagen and wound repair | Topical creams/serums; subcutaneous injection (research) | Cosmetic topical allowed; injectable not FDA-approved | Moderate cosmetic evidence; limited systemic data | Topical cosmetic; injections are compounded research use |
| KPV | alpha-MSH fragment with anti-inflammatory signaling | Topical, oral, subcutaneous | Not FDA-approved; bulk status under scrutiny | Preclinical + small open-label data | Compounded research use; not a supplement |
| TB-500 | Thymosin beta-4 fragment for tissue repair and angiogenesis | Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection | Not FDA-approved; banned in competitive sport | Animal + limited human recovery data | Research-only; not lawful for supplement sale |
What This Means If You're Not a Clinician
You can educate and build audience trust, but you cannot sell, compound, or source these as supplements. Partner with a licensed prescriber and a compliant pharmacy pathway (e.g., CareCore) before you market any protocol or bundle.
Key Dates to Watch
- July 23-24, 2026: PCAC committee vote on BPC-157 and related compounds