PeptideSearch

GHK-Cu

Very early research

Get notified when the evidence changes.

The research is at the earliest stage – mostly cells in a lab dish. It is far too early to say much.

Compiled and reviewed by the PeptideSearch Editorial Team · Status checked 2026-05-14

Also called Copper tripeptide-1 / Gly-His-Lys copper / Copper peptide

A three-part peptide that carries copper, studied in skin cells and used in cosmetics. Research beyond the lab dish is thin.

The basics

What is it?
A tiny three-part peptide that holds onto copper. It is found naturally in blood plasma.
What do we know?
In lab dishes and skin samples it changes which genes switch on and off in skin cells. It is widely used in cosmetics.
What do we still not know?
Whether it does anything meaningful when swallowed or injected. Almost all the work is in a lab dish.

Watch: what the research shows

GHK-Cu: What The Research Actually Shows

A pharmacy can legally compound GHK-Cu as a cream — but not as an injection. Both human trials are topical.

Official status: 503A Category 1 – nominated, still under FDA evaluation · Checked 2026-05-14

Can a doctor prescribe this?

Small pharmacy (503A)
Category 1 — under review, allowed for nowall routes except injection

FDA entry: “GHK-Cu (except for injectable routes of administration)” · document dated 2026-05-14

Large outsourcing facility (503B)
Never put forward to FDA

A compounding pharmacy can legally prepare GHK-Cu for topical use, but not for injection.

503A is a pharmacy making a single prescription for one patient. 503B is a facility making batches. They are governed by separate lists. Where a category is shown, it is a position on the FDA's list of substances that have been put forward and are still being worked through — not the final list, which is set by rulemaking. Category 1 means the FDA does not plan to act against a pharmacy that makes it while the review runs.

What happens next

FDA has said it intends to consult its compounding advisory committee (the PCAC) about whether GHK-Cu should be on the 503A bulks list, before the end of February 2027.

Category 1 means a pharmacy may make it while FDA finishes reviewing it. That review is what the PCAC meeting is for, so the status can still change.

Lab suppliers we list: 16

Doses used in research

Taken word for word from the studies and trials listed on this page. This is not a recommendation and not a dose for anyone to take.

Spot an error? corrections@peptidesearch.org

What has happened so far

  1. 5 May 2026503A

    One nominator clarified that it meant to withdraw only the injectable-route nomination. The non-injectable nomination stands, so FDA is adding GHK-Cu back to Category 1 for all routes except injection.

    FDA

  2. 22 April 2026503A

    FDA removed GHK-Cu from the Category 1 list because the nominations for it were withdrawn.

    FDA

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