A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory board has voted to ease restrictions on some controversial peptides that are circulating online but have not been adequately studied for use in humans.
A panel narrowly approved the release of drugs such as BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV to specialty pharmacies, a major regulatory hurdle for those drugs to be filled by prescription.
Peptides are small proteins that our bodies produce normally and have long been used to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes.
However, since the widespread adoption of GLP-1 (weight loss drugs), unregulated injectable peptides have rapidly gained popularity in online health communities, including among many young bloggers and influencers.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy called himself a “strong advocate” of the drugs after promising to ease restrictions on their use in response to the Biden administration’s crackdown on the booming industry.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids or small proteins that our bodies produce naturally. They act as messengers, telling cells what to do, and play a vital role in skin health, the immune system, and hormone regulation.
Online influencers promote various peptide “combinations” that claim to quickly rejuvenate a person, promote healing, and improve skin condition, but the effectiveness of these peptides has not been proven.
They’ve become incredibly popular among teenagers, especially boys, on TikTok due to unsubstantiated claims that certain peptides can help increase muscle mass and improve physical fitness. Some netizens have even used terms like “biohacking” and “beautification” to describe the trend.
Health experts warn against using these drugs due to a lack of human clinical trials and unclear long-term effects.
It is made from pepsin and is promoted online as beneficial for gut health, tissue repair, and inflammation.
The American Anti-Doping Agency (ADA) stated that because the compound has not been extensively studied in humans, “no one knows if there is a safe dose or if there is any way to safely use this compound to treat a specific condition.”
The use of this peptide in sport is prohibited and it is recognized as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
KPV is also believed to be beneficial for gut health, tissue repair (including skin damage such as acne), and immune system regulation.
Both of these drugs fall into a regulatory gray area. While they are not illegal to purchase or possess—and are readily available online—they are not approved for human use and therefore not subject to pharmaceutical quality control.
Pharmacist and anesthesiologist Elizabeth Rebello told the committee she voted against BPC-157 “due to a lack of efficacy data” and “safety concerns,” Reuters reports.
Those who voted in favor reportedly said they made the decision “for the common good” and “medical freedom.”
Several of the group work in clinics or companies that sell peptide drugs, and they will continue the discussion on Friday.
BPC-157 and KPV are among seven peptide drugs for which the group is considering lifting restrictions and allowing multi-specialty pharmacies to manufacture drugs that standard pharmaceutical companies cannot offer.
During Biden’s presidency, FDA officials discovered that peptide drugs did not meet safety standards, leading to restrictions. Kennedy worked to lift these restrictions.
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Post time: Oct-20-2026