Approved medicines vs. research peptides. Read this first. Not everything on this page sits in the same category, and we won't pretend otherwise. The GLP-1 medicines (semaglutide and tirzepatide) are approved by regulators and backed by large human trials. Several other peptides listed here are not approved by any regulator, have no completed human efficacy trials, and are sold as research compounds. They are used only under specialist supervision, where that is legally permitted, on the basis of early or animal-stage evidence. We apply one honest evidence standard to all of them and label each entry below. Whether any given compound is available to you in the UAE depends on its regulatory status and your clinical suitability, decided by a licensed physician.
Group
Metabolic & Fat Loss
GLP-1 and metabolic peptides that regulate appetite, insulin sensitivity and energy use, the basis of ShredStack™.
Semaglutide
GLP-1 agonist
- What it is
- A GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes and obesity management.
- What it does
- Mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 to slow gastric emptying, suppress appetite and improve insulin sensitivity, leading to significant weight loss alongside lifestyle change.
- Status
- Approved medicine Approved by regulators for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Evidence
- Strong, established in large randomised controlled trials. Important caveats: it works as ongoing therapy, and weight is commonly regained after stopping; not a one-time cure. Contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, and in pregnancy.
- Used for
- Medical weight lossAppetite controlMetabolic health
Retatrutide
Triple agonist
- What it is
- A next-generation triple hormone receptor agonist (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors) studied in late-stage trials for obesity and metabolic disorders.
- What it does
- Studied for appetite suppression, improved insulin sensitivity and increased energy expenditure, with early trial results suggesting larger fat loss than single or dual agonists. These results are from clinical trials and not yet an approved use.
- Status
- Investigational In late-stage (Phase III) trials; not yet approved by any regulator, anywhere. It cannot be prescribed as an approved product.
- Used for
- Advanced weight lossObesity with metabolic syndromeGLP-1 non-responders
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial
- What it is
- A mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome.
- What it does
- Proposed to act on AMPK (the cellular energy sensor) and is studied as an "exercise mimetic" for glucose handling and fat oxidation. To date this is based on animal studies; the effects are not established in humans.
- Status
- Research use only Not approved by any regulator. No completed human trials; it is commonly banned in competitive sport (WADA).
- Used for
- Weight managementInsulin resistanceAthletic performanceMetabolic decline
Group
Recovery & Repair
Regenerative peptides for soft-tissue healing and resilience, the basis of RecoveryStack™ and RepairStack™.
BPC-157
Repair
- What it is
- A synthetic 15-amino-acid fragment ("Body Protection Compound-157") of a protein found in human gastric juice.
- What it does
- Studied in animals for angiogenesis (new blood-vessel growth), collagen production and repair of tendon, ligament, muscle and gut tissue, with proposed anti-inflammatory effects. The evidence is preclinical. These benefits are not established in humans.
- Status
- Research use only Not approved anywhere. No human trials; currently under FDA compounding review, and relevant in competitive sport (WADA).
- Used for
- Tendon & ligament injuryMuscle tearsPost-surgical recoveryGut healing
TB-500
Regeneration
- What it is
- A synthetic version of a segment of thymosin β4, a natural protein present in almost all human and animal cells.
- What it does
- Proposed to regulate actin (involved in cell structure and movement) and promote cell migration and tissue regeneration. Early evidence is from animal studies only; tissue-repair benefits are not established in humans.
- Status
- Research use only Not approved anywhere. No human trials; banned in competitive sport (WADA).
- Used for
- Orthopedic injuryChronic soft-tissue damagePerformance recoveryWound healing
Group
Aesthetics & Skin
Regenerative peptides for skin, hair and scar improvement.
GHK-Cu
Copper peptide
- What it is
- A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) found in human plasma, saliva and urine.
- What it does
- Prescribed as a compounded subcutaneous injection, the copper-binding tripeptide is studied for stimulating collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, supporting wound healing and skin and hair quality, with antioxidant effects.
- Status
- Injectable: clinician-supervised MEDVIVA dispenses GHK-Cu as a subcutaneous injection compounded by a licensed UAE pharmacy. The strongest published evidence is for topical/cosmetic use; injectable human evidence is still emerging, so it is dosed conservatively for copper load and used only under specialist supervision where permitted.
- Used for
- Skin rejuvenationHair regrowthWound healingScar & stretch-mark improvement
Group
Hormonal & Growth
Peptides that work with the body's own hormonal systems rather than replacing them, the basis of YouthStack™.
CJC-1295
GHRH analog
- What it is
- A synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with drug affinity complex (DAC) for an extended half-life.
- What it does
- Acutely stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone, raising IGF-1. It is proposed to support recovery, lean mass, fat loss and cellular repair, but a short-term rise in growth hormone is not the same as a proven clinical benefit, which has not been shown in human trials.
- Status
- Research use only Not approved anywhere. No human efficacy trials; banned in competitive sport (WADA). The same applies to related growth-hormone-releasing peptides such as ipamorelin.
- Used for
- Hormonal optimisationMuscle massFat reductionRecovery
Group
Energy & Longevity
Mitochondrial and cellular-ageing support, the basis of MitoStack™ and the longevity side of YouthStack™.
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Mitochondrial
- What it is
- A mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide designed to penetrate cell membranes and bind cardiolipin, a key lipid in the mitochondrial membrane.
- What it does
- Studied for stabilising mitochondrial membranes (binding cardiolipin), reducing oxidative stress and supporting ATP (energy) production.
- Status
- Investigational In legitimate clinical development but not approved for any use. Trials target specific rare mitochondrial diseases. It is not proven for general anti-aging or longevity, and we do not market it that way.
- Used for
- Mitochondrial dysfunctionChronic fatigueAge-related energy declineNeuro & cardiovascular support
NAD⁺
Coenzyme
- What it is
- Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme essential for cellular energy production, DNA repair and overall vitality, delivered via a dose-adjustable pen (10–100 mg).
- What it does
- As a coenzyme, it participates in mitochondrial metabolism and DNA-repair pathways. It is proposed to support energy and cellular resilience with age.
- Status
- Limited evidence Note that NAD⁺ is a coenzyme, not a peptide. The evidence for IV or injectable NAD⁺ in wellness use is limited and early; benefits are not well established in humans.
- Used for
- Energy & vitalityCellular repairAnti-ageing protocols
Epithalon
Longevity
- What it is
- A synthetic peptide version of epithalamin, a natural substance from the pineal gland.
- What it does
- Proposed to activate telomerase and support telomere maintenance (protective caps on chromosomes), antioxidant defence and hormonal balance. The telomere claim rests on early laboratory work; effects are not established in humans.
- Status
- Research use only Not approved anywhere. Human evidence is minimal and very weak (mostly older cell-culture and rodent studies, no human trials).
- Used for
- Longevity protocolsAge-related preventionImmune rejuvenation
Group
Immune
Immune-modulating peptides used as supportive components in recovery protocols.
Thymosin α-1
Immune modulator
- What it is
- A 28-amino-acid peptide naturally produced by the thymus gland, available as a purified therapeutic form.
- What it does
- Modulates the immune system by activating T-cells and supporting dendritic-cell function, studied for resistance to infection and inflammation.
- Status
- Approved (some countries) Approved in certain countries for specific immune indications (for example hepatitis B and as an immune adjuvant); status varies by region and it is not a general wellness drug. Availability in the UAE depends on regulatory status and clinical suitability.
- Used for
- Immune support in chronic illnessViral infectionsImmune recovery after surgery
Important. This library is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or an offer to sell medication. Peptides are prescribed and dispensed only by licensed partner-clinic physicians after a clinical review, and availability depends on clinical suitability and current UAE regulation. Some research peptides may not be appropriate or available for every individual. Always consult a licensed physician before starting any protocol.