Not an approved drugSynthetic 15-amino-acid peptide (not an approved drug)

BPC-157

Also known as Body Protection Compound 157, PL 14736, bepecin

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a sequence found in a human gastric juice protein. Almost all of its research is in animals and cell cultures. It is not an approved drug in any country.

By [Author name]. Licensed pharmacist review: pending. Last updated 2026-10-21.

Identity

Sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV)
Length: 15 amino acids
Molecular formula: C62H98N16O22 (PubChem)
Molar mass: about 1,419 g/mol
Forms sold: Free base and acetate or arginate salts; lyophilized vials, capsules
Half-life: Not established in humans. Animal pharmacokinetic work in rats and dogs reports a short plasma half-life, under an hour.

What the research covers

Most BPC-157 research comes from one group at the University of Zagreb, which has published rodent studies on tendon, ligament, muscle, gut and blood-vessel models since the 1990s. Independent replication is limited.

Reviews of this literature, including a 2019 review in Cell and Tissue Research and later systematic reviews, describe the evidence as preclinical and call for controlled human trials. Published human data are limited to very small, uncontrolled reports.

Because so little human data exists, safety in people is not characterized. FDA's 2023 Category 2 listing cited the lack of safety information, and concerns about immunogenicity and impurities in peptide manufacturing.

Summaries describe what studies measured, not what a substance does for anyone. Nothing here is a claim of benefit or a basis for use.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. FDA placed BPC-157 in Category 2 ("significant safety risks") of the 503A bulk drug substance nominations on September 29, 2023, which means pharmacies should not compound it.
In 2026 FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) voted 8-6 to recommend BPC-157 for the 503A bulks list. A recommendation is not a rule; listing requires rulemaking.
On October 15, 2026 HHS and FDA sent an "interim access policy" to the White House that would let pharmacies compound BPC-157 under enforcement discretion. It was not final as of the review date, and it covers pharmacies, not "research use only" sellers.

Anti-doping (WADA)

Prohibited at all times under S0 (non-approved substances). WADA named BPC-157 as an S0 example starting with the 2022 list.

Follow changes on the FDA peptide status tracker.

BPC-157 questions

Is BPC-157 legal?

Selling it for human use as a drug is not lawful in the US because it is not approved. It is sold as a "research chemical", a label FDA's 2026 warning letters said does not change how a product is treated if the context shows human use.

Can a compounding pharmacy make BPC-157?

Not under current FDA policy, which keeps it in Category 2. That could change if the interim access policy is finalized or if FDA adds it to the 503A bulks list. See the FDA status tracker.