Approved vs research
Every substance on this site, sorted by what regulators have actually said
One table. Five categories. If a page on Vitrex mentions it, it is here with its real regulatory status. Re-checked whenever the FDA, WADA or a major trial changes the picture.
FDA-approved
Approved, used off-label
In clinical trials
Research-only
Supplement / cosmetic / procedure
FDA-approved
Reviewed by the FDA for the stated indication. Has a label, contraindications and a reporting system. Use outside the label is off-label and a prescriber's decision.
| Substance | Status context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes · chronic weight management · CV risk reduction | Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus |
| Tirzepatide | Type 2 diabetes · weight management · OSA with obesity | Mounjaro / Zepbound |
| Liraglutide | Type 2 diabetes · weight management | Victoza / Saxenda · generics |
| Tesamorelin | HIV-associated lipodystrophy | Egrifta |
| Bremelanotide (PT-141) | HSDD in premenopausal women | Vyleesi |
| Oxytocin (injectable) | Labour induction · postpartum haemorrhage | Pitocin |
| Vasopressin / desmopressin | Vasodilatory shock · diabetes insipidus · others | Prescription only |
| Testosterone | Male hypogonadism | Schedule III |
| HCG | Ovulation induction · male HH · cryptorchidism | Biologic · not for weight loss |
| Tretinoin | Acne · photodamage (specific products) | Prescription |
| Metformin | Type 2 diabetes | Generic |
| Hyaluronic acid (injectables) | Dermal fillers · knee OA | Regulated as devices |
| Menopausal hormone therapy | Vasomotor & genitourinary symptoms · bone | Many products · transdermal & oral |
| Levothyroxine | Hypothyroidism | Generic |
| Botulinum toxin | Facial lines · migraine · spasticity | Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, others |
| Collagen biostimulators | Facial volume | Sculptra, Radiesse (devices) |
| Minoxidil / finasteride | Pattern hair loss | Topical / oral |
| B12 injection | B12 deficiency | Prescription |
| Corticosteroid injections | Joint / bursa inflammation | Prescription |
| HIFU (Ultherapy) | Brow, neck, chin lift | Cleared device |
| Cryolipolysis | Localised fat bulges | Cleared device |
| Shockwave therapy | Plantar fasciitis · tennis elbow | Cleared device |
Approved, used off-label
Approved for one purpose and commonly prescribed for another. Legal for a licensed provider; evidence for the off-label use varies.
| Substance | Status context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clomiphene (in men) | Approved for female infertility · used for male hypogonadism | Enclomiphene not approved |
| Sermorelin | Former paediatric approval · used off-label in adults | Approval withdrawn (commercial) |
| Metformin (longevity) | Approved for diabetes · used off-label for ageing | TAME trial planned |
| Intranasal oxytocin | Behavioural research use | Compounded · not approved |
| PDO thread lift | Cleared as suture · used for lifting | Low evidence |
| Testopel vs compounded pellets | Testopel approved · compounded pellets not | Society cautions |
| Oral minoxidil | Off-label for hair loss | Growing evidence |
In clinical trials
Being studied in registered human trials. Not available outside those trials; anything sold under the name online is an unapproved copy.
| Substance | Status context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Phase 3 | No approval anywhere |
| Cagrilintide / CagriSema | Phase 3 | No approval anywhere |
| SS-31 (elamipretide) | Human trials in mitochondrial disease | Not approved for other uses |
| Kisspeptin | Human physiology / IVF research | Not approved |
Research-only
No approval for human use. Evidence is preclinical or limited. Several are restricted for compounding and prohibited in sport.
| Substance | Status context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Soft-tissue & GI research | FDA Category 2 for compounding (2023) · WADA-prohibited |
| TB-500 | Wound-healing research | WADA-prohibited |
| CJC-1295 | GH-pathway research | FDA Category 2 for compounding |
| Ipamorelin | GH-pathway research | FDA Category 2 for compounding |
| GHRP-2 / GHRP-6 | Research tools | Not approved |
| AOD-9604 | Fat-metabolism research | Trials did not support approval |
| MOTS-c | Mitochondrial research | Not approved |
| Epithalon | Telomere research | Not approved |
| Selank / Semax | Russian clinical history | No FDA review |
| DSIP | Sleep research | Not approved |
| GHK-Cu (injectable) | Wound / remodelling research | Topical cosmetic use is separate |
| KPV | Anti-inflammatory research | Not approved |
| LL-37 | Antimicrobial research | Not approved |
| Melanotan II | Pigmentation research | Not approved anywhere · safety concerns |
| Thymosin alpha-1 | Immune research | Approved abroad · not in US |
| Pentadeca-arginate | BPC-157 substitute | Very little published data |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | NNMT inhibitor (mouse) | Not a peptide · no human trials |
| SLU-PP-332 | ERR agonist (mouse) | Not a peptide · no human trials |
| Exosomes | Cell-signalling research | No approved products · FDA warnings |
| Prolotherapy | Dextrose injections | Small trials |
| Microneedling with peptides / PRP | Combination claims | Weak evidence |
Supplement / cosmetic / procedure
Regulated as a dietary supplement, cosmetic, device or autologous procedure rather than as a drug. Claims are not FDA-reviewed.
| Substance | Status context | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NAD+ precursors | Supplement | Modest human trials |
| Glutathione (oral) | Supplement | Injectables not approved |
| DHEA (oral) | Supplement | WADA-prohibited |
| Berberine | Supplement | Small trials |
| GHK-Cu (topical) | Cosmetic ingredient | Reasonable topical evidence |
| Hyaluronic acid (topical / oral) | Cosmetic / supplement | Surface hydration only |
| PRP | Autologous procedure | Evidence varies by indication |
| Vitamin D (oral) | Supplement | Test first |
| Lipotropic / MIC shots | Compounded injection | No controlled evidence |
| IV vitamin therapy | Compounded infusion | No evidence in healthy adults |
| Compounded "bioidentical" hormones | Compounded | Not FDA-approved · under review |
Status reflects the position at the last review date and can change. It is not a statement of safety, efficacy or suitability for any person. Where peptides are restricted →
General education · Not medical advice · Provider approval required