Peptides for hormones and metabolism
Insulin, growth hormone, cortisol and the first GLP-1s: every hormone peptide in one line each.
Humanin
Found in an Alzheimer's brain while hunting what spared its neurons: a peptide coded by mitochondrial DNA, sold for longevity.
The Hermit · Not FDA approved
MOTS-c
Coded in mitochondrial DNA, it rises in muscle during exercise; sold as exercise in a vial, meant for fat loss and blood sugar.
The Sun · Not FDA approved
Albiglutide
Two GLP-1 copies welded to albumin, your blood's slowest taxi, riding all week to nudge insulin out of the pancreas after meals.
FDA approved
Compounded Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin ordered off-menu: a GHRH copy that pings your pituitary for growth hormone pulses, mixed for the belly-fat wellness crowd.
Not FDA approved
Corticotropin
ACTH in a slow gel: it tells your adrenals to pour out cortisol and calms immune cells too. Called in for MS flares and infant spasms.
FDA approved
Cosyntropin
Just ACTH's first 24 amino acids, injected to poke your adrenals and clock how fast cortisol shows up. A pop quiz for your glands.
FDA approved
Dulaglutide
GLP-1 twins bolted to an antibody stem, too big for your kidneys to bin, so they keep insulin flowing when sugar rises, all week long.
FDA approved
Efpeglenatide
Exendin-4, the Gila monster's GLP-1 mimic, fused to an antibody fragment to last a week; it lowers blood sugar and weight.
Not FDA approved
Elamipretide
Grips cardiolipin, a lipid of the inner membrane of mitochondria, the cell's power plants. For muscle weakness in Barth syndrome.
FDA approved
Lixisenatide
A once-daily GLP-1 drug built on Gila monster exendin-4, taken before a meal to flatten the sugar spike of type 2 diabetes.
FDA approved
Mecasermin
IGF-1 made by bacteria: the growth factor the liver releases on growth hormone's orders, for children who lack it and don't grow.
FDA approved
Pasireotide
Mimics somatostatin, the body's hormone brake, at more receptor types, to quiet pituitary tumors driving cortisol or growth hormone.
FDA approved
Pegvisomant
Sits in the growth hormone receptor without switching it on, blocking the excess hormone of acromegaly. A jacket saving the seat.
FDA approved
Pramlintide
Amylin, the hormone released with insulin, with three rat amino acids so it won't clump. Added to mealtime insulin in diabetes.
FDA approved
Secretin
First hormone ever found (1902): it makes the pancreas release bicarbonate, the gut's antacid. Injected, it tests the pancreas.
FDA approved
Somapacitan
Growth hormone with an albumin-binding tail: riding the blood's main protein, it lasts a week. For children and adults lacking it.
FDA approved
Somatropin
Human growth hormone made by bacteria: it prompts the liver to release IGF-1, the growth signal, in children and adults lacking it.
FDA approved