BPC-157
Body Protection Compound 157
A 15-amino-acid peptide from a gastric protein, studied for tissue repair: it raises VEGF, EGF and growth-factor signalling, encourages new blood-vessel growth, modulates nitric oxide synthase and activates the FAK-paxillin and JAK-STAT pathways.
Not medical advice. Educational reference only.
- Typical dose
- 250–500 mcg per day
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; oral (research only)
- Storage
- Refrigerate at 2–8°C; use within 28 days
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157, short for Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protein found in gastric juice. It is studied for accelerating tissue healing, repairing the gut lining and speeding tendon recovery.
In animal studies it produces dose-dependent healing of tendons, ligaments, bone, muscle and intestinal tissue, alongside anti-inflammatory and blood-vessel-forming effects. It has no FDA approval. In 2023 the FDA listed it among bulk substances raising significant safety concerns; the compounding nominations were later withdrawn, and at the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting in July 2026 the agency's evaluation weighed against adding BPC-157 to the 503A bulks list. Final rulemaking is pending. Human safety and effectiveness have not been established in controlled trials.
Mechanism of action
Proposed actions increase VEGF, EGF and growth-factor signaling, promote angiogenesis, modulate nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and activate FAK-paxillin and JAK-STAT pathways. Targets include VEGF receptors, the NO pathway and FAK-paxillin.
Targets: VEGF receptors · Nitric oxide pathway · FAK-paxillin
Research indications
Tissue repair
Most effectiveSpeeds wound closure and repair of injured soft tissue in research models.
Gut health
EffectiveProtects and repairs the intestinal lining and improves gastrointestinal function in animal studies.
Animal, controlled1 reference
Joint support
EffectiveReduces joint inflammation and improves mobility in research models.
Muscle recovery
ModeratePotential benefits include quicker recovery after muscle strains and exercise-related stress.
Research protocols
These are commonly discussed research protocols — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
| Goal | Amount | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | 250 mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection |
| Standard | 500 mcg | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection |
| Split | 250 mcg | Twice daily | Subcutaneous injection |
| Maintenance / gut | 250 mcg | Once daily (AM fasted) | Oral (research only) |
Interactions
TB-500 / BPC-157 (stack)
CompatibleCommonly combined in recovery protocols; no interaction studies exist, so the compatibility label reflects reported practice, not evidence.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
CautionCorticosteroids
CautionAnticoagulants
MonitorGH secretagogues
CompatibleNAD+
Compatible
How to reconstitute and inject
Diluent: Bacteriostatic water only. Avoid saline, which can cause precipitation.
- Take the BPC-157 vial out of the fridge and let it sit for 15–20 minutes until it reaches room temperature.
- Wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry completely.
- Draw the calculated volume of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe. Do not use saline; it can make the peptide precipitate.
- Inject the water slowly against the inside wall of the vial, not straight onto the powder.
- Swirl the vial gently in circles. Never shake it; vigorous shaking breaks the peptide down.
- Give it 2–3 minutes to dissolve fully. The solution should be clear and colorless.
- Draw your calculated dose into an insulin syringe for subcutaneous injection.
- Inject into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, and rotate sites each time to avoid lipodystrophy.
- Keep the reconstituted vial in the fridge at 2–8 °C and use it within 28 days.
What to expect
- Week 1–2
- Early anti-inflammatory effects; less pain and swelling in the affected area.
- Week 2–4
- Better tissue mobility, reduced discomfort and early acceleration of healing.
- Week 4–8
- Substantial recovery milestones, stronger tissue repair and improved function.
- Week 8–12
- Healing is often close to complete, with stronger, more resilient tissue and improved strength. These are the timelines reported in research and community protocols, not established human outcomes.
Side effects and safety
- Mild nausea, particularly at higher doses
- Redness or discomfort at the injection site
- Dizziness or lightheadedness · Rare
- Possible blood-pressure changes; monitor in hypertension
BPC-157: not approved in the US; 503A compounding banned.
Regulatory status
US
Not approvedFDA — no approval; not on the 503A bulks list. Category 2 safety-concern listing 2023; July 2026 PCAC evaluation weighed against inclusion, final rule pending
- Rx required
- No
- 503A
- Banned
- Telehealth
- N/A
- Checked on
Frequently asked questions
What does BPC-157 refer to?
Body Protection Compound 157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid pentadecapeptide derived from gastric-juice protein. Animal studies examine tendon, ligament, muscle, bone and intestinal healing.
What evidence supports a healing effect?
In rats and mice, BPC-157 consistently improves healing of tendons, the gut lining and musculoskeletal tissue. The proposed mechanisms are VEGF upregulation, new blood-vessel growth and modulation of nitric oxide. No peer-reviewed controlled human trials have been published, so its efficacy and safety in people remain unproven.
What is its US legal status?
No. BPC-157 has no FDA approval and cannot legally be marketed in the US as a drug, a food or a dietary supplement. In 2023 the FDA placed it in Category 2 of nominated bulk substances, those with significant safety concerns. The nominations were later withdrawn, and at the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting on 23–24 July 2026 the FDA's evaluation weighed against adding BPC-157 free base or acetate to the 503A bulks list, citing poor characterisation and unknown safety and immunogenicity. A final rule has not been issued. There is no prescription pathway and telehealth prescribing does not apply. Products sold as "research chemicals" fall outside any approval.
How do you reconstitute BPC-157?
Let the freeze-dried vial reach room temperature, then add bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall. Do not use saline; it can cause precipitation. Swirl gently, never shake, and the powder dissolves within one to three minutes into a clear, colorless solution. Refrigerate the vial at 2–8 °C, use it within 28 days, and draw each subcutaneous dose with an insulin syringe.
Which safety concerns are described?
In animal studies BPC-157 is well tolerated, with no significant toxicity at the doses investigated. Anecdotal human reports mention mild nausea at higher doses, discomfort at the injection site and occasional dizziness. Because it promotes blood-vessel growth, there is a theoretical concern that it could support tumour growth; this has not been demonstrated in research. Anyone considering it should talk to a licensed clinician first.
Which doses appear in research discussions?
Research and community protocols most often use 250–500 mcg per day by subcutaneous injection, sometimes split into 250 mcg twice daily. Oral use appears in gut-focused protocols, although how much is absorbed is uncertain. No dose is FDA-approved; these figures describe research practice and are not medical advice.
References
Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract (2018)
BPC 157 and Standard Angiogenic Growth Factors. Gastrointestinal Tract Healing, Lessons from Tendon, Ligament, Muscle and Bone Healing. (2018)
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and its effects on a NSAID toxicity model: diclofenac-induced gastrointestinal, liver, and encephalopathy lesions. (2011)
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances the growth hormone receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts (2019)
BPC 157 and its role in accelerating wound healing (2022)
Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain. (2021)
From Regeneration to Analgesia: The Role of BPC-157 in Tissue Repair and Pain Management. (2026)
Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians. (2026)
Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. (2026)
Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review. (2025)
BPC-157 and tendon healing (2018) (2018)