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Cluster · Approved & clinical

Therapeutic peptides

Peptides that are either approved medicines or in late-stage clinical trials, the GLP-1s (semaglutide, tirzepatide) for weight and diabetes, insulin, PT-141 for sexual desire, oxytocin, and a handful of approved immune and metabolic agents. This is the only cluster where you can talk about effects with reasonable certainty. Even here, evidence is for specific approved indications. Off-label use is still off-label.

15 peptides in this cluster
New here? Read how we grade evidence or browse the glossary.
A
Dulaglutide
Approved once-weekly GLP-1 for type 2 diabetes (Trulicity); CV benefit shown in REWIND.
Approved
A
Exenatide
The original FDA-approved GLP-1 (2005); discovered from Gila monster saliva, now superseded by newer agents.
Approved
A
Insulin
The original therapeutic peptide (1921). Approved, life-saving, and a peptide.
ApprovedSport: banned
A
Liraglutide
Earlier approved GLP-1; effective, now largely superseded by newer agents.
Approved
A
Oxytocin
Approved hormone; explored off-label for bonding and mood.
Approved
A
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Approved (Vyleesi) for low sexual desire; melanocortin agonist.
Approved
A
Semaglutide
Approved GLP-1 drug with robust human trials for weight loss and diabetes.
Approved
A
Tirzepatide
Approved dual GLP-1/GIP agonist; strongest approved weight-loss data per mg.
Approved
B
Gonadorelin
Synthetic GnRH: an approved drug for pituitary testing and ovulation induction, now widely used off-label to protect fertility on testosterone therapy.
ApprovedSport: banned
B
Tesamorelin
Approved for HIV-related visceral fat; notable for stripping belly fat.
ApprovedSport: banned
B
Thymosin Alpha-1
Immune-modulating peptide approved in several countries.
Approved
C
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue, paired with semaglutide as CagriSema; phase-3 readouts pending.
In trials
C
Cerebrolysin
Used clinically in some countries for stroke/dementia; mixed evidence.
Approved
C
Retatrutide
Phase-3 triple agonist; striking trial results but not yet approved.
In trials
C
Survodutide
Investigational dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist with promising phase-2 data in obesity and fatty-liver disease (MASH); unapproved, trial-only.
In trials

Cluster assignment reflects each peptide’s primary intent, its main reason for being on the site. Some peptides span clusters in practice (tesamorelin is approved for HIV-associated visceral fat but is also chased by bodybuilders); we file each under one canonical cluster and link out where the cross-over matters.

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