BPC-157: research, side effects and dosage in studies

In short

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide studied mostly in animals, and it has no marketing authorisation anywhere [1]D [35]regulator.

• BPC-157 draws interest because animal results have been promising: in rats, cut tendons, ligaments and muscles healed better in experiments [12, 13, 14]C.
• The first human observations are positive: in a knee-pain case series 11 of the 12 patients given BPC-157 alone said their pain was clearly better [5]B, and in interstitial cystitis 10 of 12 women said their symptoms had gone [6]B. The three published pilot studies reported no harms [5, 6, 7]B.
• The first placebo-controlled injury trial (hamstring) is enrolling participants. Primary data collection is expected to end in February 2027 and the whole trial in February 2028 [40]E, not peer-reviewed.
• The evidence is still thin: none of the three peer-reviewed human studies had a comparison group, in an independent tendon study the difference was not significant [21]C, the randomised trials exist only as conference abstracts, and the bowel trial showed no clear difference from placebo [28]E, not peer-reviewed.
• In Finland, BPC-157 is listed in Annex 1 A of Fimea's medicines list, so it is controlled as a medicine and always treated like a prescription-only medicine [37]regulator. In competitive sport it is banned at all times (WADA class S0) [33]regulator.

What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide, a part of a gastric juice protein that a University of Zagreb research group reported isolating in a 1993 review [1]D. The group called the protein (molecular mass about 40,000) BPC, for Body Protection Compound, and considered this part essential for its activity [1]D. The sequence is GEPPPGKPADDAGLV [12]D.

The BPC-157 sold online and by US compounding pharmacies is made synthetically to match the amino acid sequence of the human BPC fragment [35]regulator. In drug development it has also been called PL 14736 and Bepecin [28]regulator.

It is widely sold as a powder labelled "for research use". According to Fimea, the Finnish medicines agency, such a label means the product is not intended for humans [36]regulator. Peptide basics are in the guide What are peptides?, and every substance is listed in Peptides A-Z.

Evidence level at a glance

Each cell says what kind of research exists for the claim and which source it comes from. There are no scores or ratings: the letter is the level of evidence, not a result.

"-" means this page does not use a study for that cell.

What is BPC-157 being studied for?

Below is every use with published research, and its strongest evidence. None of these is an approved use.

• Tendon, ligament and muscle injuries, skin wounds, brain and spinal cord injuries, and reduced blood flow: only animal and cell studies [12, 13, 14, 16, 18]C, see Promising, but only in animal and cell studies. In humans, the first placebo-controlled hamstring trial is enrolling [40]E, not peer-reviewed.
• Joint pain. In one retrospective case series, BPC-157 alone or combined with thymosin beta-4 was injected into the knee [5]B.
• Ulcerative colitis. A Croatian drug company developed the substance in the early 2000s as an enema for bowel inflammation. According to the developer group, the trials reached phase 2 [27]E, not peer-reviewed, but the results exist only as conference abstracts [28]E, not peer-reviewed. In 2026 FDA assessed exactly this use [28]regulator.
• Interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition: one study of 12 women with no comparison group [6]B.

Online claims. USADA says no clinical trial has shown efficacy for treating any condition [35]regulator. A sports medicine review discusses the placebo effect and how social media amplifies it [23].

How does BPC-157 work?

How it works has only been studied in cells and animals. No mechanism has been shown in humans [28]regulator.

According to reviews, animal and cell studies have proposed several pathways: new blood vessel growth through the VEGFR2 receptor and the nitric-oxide-producing Akt-eNOS pathway, activation of connective tissue cells (fibroblasts), and fewer inflammatory signalling molecules [3]C. A systematic review reports that BPC-157 increased growth hormone receptor expression and signalling pathways linked to cell growth [2]D.

In human blood vessel cells, BPC-157 increased the VEGFR2 receptor but not VEGF-A [20]D. It did not directly make rat tendon cells divide [19]D.

FDA's assessment is that the molecular targets have not been identified, no dose-response relationship has been shown and the mechanism is poorly understood [28]regulator.

Has BPC-157 been studied in humans?

Very little. There are three small peer-reviewed pilot studies in humans, and none had a comparison group [8, 9]B.

Published pilot studies

• Knee pain (2021). A retrospective review of patient records at a private clinic in Florida: 16 of 17 patients were reached by phone. Of the 12 who received BPC-157 alone, 11 said their pain was clearly better, as did three of the four who received a combination. Pain was not measured with a standard tool [5]B. A systematic review reports from the same data that 7 of 12 patients had relief for more than six months [2]B.
• Interstitial cystitis (2024). 12 women whom an earlier medicine had not helped received BPC-157 as injections into the bladder wall. Ten reported their symptoms had gone completely, and no side effects were reported [6]B.
• Intravenous infusion (2025). Two adults were given it into a vein on two days. Measured heart, liver, kidney, thyroid and blood sugar values did not change, and no side effects were reported [7]B.

All three have the same first author, all were done at private clinics in Florida, and all were published in the same complementary therapies journal [5, 6, 7]B [28]regulator.

Only as abstracts or registry entries

According to FDA's 2026 briefing document, two placebo-controlled studies of BPC-157 given as an enema were done in the early 2000s, in healthy volunteers and in ulcerative colitis; both exist only as conference abstracts [28]E, not peer-reviewed. The doses are in the dose table.

In 2015 a phase 1 trial of oral tablets in healthy volunteers was registered (about 42 participants, placebo comparison). The registry entry has not been updated since December 2015, and no results have been published [39]E, not peer-reviewed [28]regulator. A US supplement company has also registered a completed 40-person study of gummies containing BPC-157, without a comparison group; no results have been published [47]E, not peer-reviewed.

Promising, but only in animal and cell studies

These findings look good, but none has been tested in humans. Of the 36 studies in a systematic review, 35 were preclinical, meaning cell or animal studies [2]C. A shared caveat: a healthy tendon or muscle was cut surgically, and the substance was injected into the abdomen half an hour after the injury [12, 13, 14]C. Most studies were done in small rodents [4]C.

• Tendons and ligaments no human studies

  In rats, a cut Achilles tendon took more load over 14 days [12]C, and a knee ligament healed better over 90 days, also when the substance was given in drinking water [13]C. Tendon cells moved and survived better [19]D.

  If it held in humans: recovery from a tendon injury or tendon surgery could be faster.

  Why it might not translate: in an independent study (8 rats per group) the BPC-157 advantage was not statistically significant [21]C. A healthy tendon cut in surgery is not the same as a long-standing tendon problem.

  Evidence now: several rat studies, most from the Zagreb group; in one independent study the difference was not significant [21]. In humans, a trial after shoulder (rotator cuff) surgery has not started yet [41]E, not peer-reviewed.

• Muscle injuries no human studies

  In rats, a cut thigh muscle healed better over 72 days [14]C, and in a crushed calf muscle swelling went down and function returned [49]C.

  If it held in humans: recovery from a muscle injury could be faster.

  Why it might not translate: both muscle injury studies come from the same Zagreb group [14, 49]. A fully cut or crushed muscle is a different injury from a strain.

  Evidence now: several rat studies. A hamstring trial in humans is enrolling [40]E, not peer-reviewed.

• Hard-to-heal wounds no human studies

  In diabetic rats, skin wounds healed as fast with the highest gel doses as with an approved wound medicine [16]C, and in a study by a Chinese group developing it as a wound drug, an alkali burn closed faster [52]C.

  If it held in humans: wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers might be treated with a gel.

  Why it might not translate: follow-up in the diabetes study lasted 7 days, wound contraction did not differ significantly, and it was done by the company developing the substance [16]C.

  Evidence now: several rodent studies, all by developers. We know of no registered human trial.

• Brain and spinal cord injuries no human studies

  In mice, damage and swelling after a brain injury were milder [18]C, and in rats tail movement recovered better after a lower spinal cord injury over a year of follow-up [50]C.

  If it held in humans: lasting damage after such injuries could be smaller.

  Why it might not translate: in the brain injury study the substance was given before the injury, and follow-up lasted one day [18]C.

  Evidence now: several rodent studies, all from the Zagreb group [18, 50]. We know of no registered human trial.

• Reduced blood flow no human studies

  In rats, blood flow to a hind limb recovered faster and there were more vessels [20]C. In an independent study (6 rats per group), the substance reduced muscle damage caused by cutting off and restoring blood flow to a limb [51]C.

  If it held in humans: it might protect tissue with poor blood supply, for example in arterial disease.

  Why it might not translate: follow-up in that study lasted 2 hours [51]C. New blood vessel growth could in theory also help tumours grow, and this has not been studied (Side effects).

  Evidence now: besides the Zagreb group, two independent studies [20, 51]. Not studied in humans.

What to watch for: the first controlled human trials on muscle and tendon injuries (The future).

Who researches BPC-157?

Medical databases hold about two hundred publications on BPC-157 (as of October 2026), and roughly three quarters of them list Predrag Sikirić, head of the original Zagreb group, as an author. A 2019 review notes that only a handful of research groups have studied the peptide in depth [4]C.

Outside the group there are, for example, cell studies from Taiwan [19, 20]D, animal pharmacokinetics and toxicology studies from China [10, 11]C, and a tendon study from Turkey [21]C.

Who wrote this page: the editorial team

This page was written by the Molecular Recovery editorial team. The draft was made with AI, and the claims were checked against the sources (AI disclosure). The page has not been medically reviewed. How we work: About.

How long does BPC-157 stay in the body?

In rats and dogs, the half-life of intact BPC-157 in the blood was under 30 minutes [10]C. According to FDA's interpretation, the intravenous half-life was 5.3 minutes in dogs and 15.2 minutes in rats [28]regulator. After an injection into muscle, about 14-19% of the dose reached the bloodstream in rats and 45-51% in dogs. The body broke the substance down into small peptide fragments and amino acids, which left the body in urine and bile [10]C.

Few measurements exist in humans. After enemas, BPC-157 in the blood was below the measurement limit or not detected, according to the abstracts [28]E, not peer-reviewed. For intravenous use there is one two-person study, and its measurement method was not fully reported. How the substance is absorbed in humans when injected under the skin or taken by mouth has not been characterised [8]B.

What side effects does BPC-157 have?

The three small human studies reported no side effects [5, 6, 7]B. Safety has still not been studied enough: animal studies showed clotting and liver signals, and cancer risk has not been studied [28]regulator.

What users report. In the Reddit accounts we compiled (not research), 356 of 886 people (40%) reported some harm. Many people post exactly when something goes wrong, so the share does not show how common harms are. Harms in detail: BPC-157 user experiences.

Reported in humans

According to FDA, the studies were short and small, and safety monitoring was unclear in most of them [28]regulator. A systematic review found no clinical safety data [2]B. In conference abstracts, the most common side effects were headache and flatulence, with no obvious difference from placebo [28]E, not peer-reviewed.

By 4 Dec 2025, FDA's adverse event database held three reports involving injected BPC-157: injection-site redness and swelling for nine days (in a person also using thymosin), shortness of breath leading to an emergency visit, and darkening of the skin and gums that recurred on restarting a product that also contained TB-500. FDA says a causal link to BPC-157 could not be assessed [28]regulator.

In animal studies

In toxicology studies in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs, the substance was well tolerated. In dogs the highest dose lowered creatinine, which returned to normal within two weeks. Local irritation was mild, and no genetic damage or harm to the fetus was seen [11]C.

FDA interpreted the results of the 28-day repeated-dose studies differently: in rats and dogs there were clinically relevant signals, such as changes in blood clotting time (aPTT) and liver-related changes (the enzyme ALT, glucose, triglycerides). There are no longer studies [28]regulator.

What has not been studied

Cancer-causing potential has not been studied in animals [28]regulator. Because BPC-157 increases new blood vessel growth in cell and animal studies [20]D [20]C, reviews have raised a concern that it could promote tumour growth [24]. This is a hypothesis, not an observation: we know of no published study measuring the effect of BPC-157 on tumours.

FDA is concerned that injected BPC-157 could trigger immune reactions, because peptides can clump together and manufacturing creates impurities [28]regulator. The authors of a systematic review also name unregulated manufacturing and contamination as risks [2]. Fimea says endotoxins in injectable products can cause serious harm [36]regulator. More: Side effects and safety.

Interactions with other medicines, and who we have no data for

We know of no human study of interactions with other medicines. In animal studies BPC-157 has been given together with other drugs: in mice it weakened the pain-relieving effect of morphine [42]C, and given repeatedly with diazepam it delayed the development of tolerance and withdrawal signs [43]C. In rats given heparin, warfarin or aspirin, BPC-157 shortened bleeding time, and in heparin-treated rats it shortened the prolonged clotting time (APTT) [45]C. They say nothing about people, but interactions cannot be ruled out.

There are no human data on pregnancy or breastfeeding. In rats given the substance into muscle it was not found to harm the fetus [11]C, but studies covering the whole reproductive cycle or the breastfeeding period have not been done [28]regulator. We know of no study of BPC-157 in children, people with cancer, or people with kidney or liver disease.

Evidence against, and what we do not know

There is little evidence against, because there is little research at all: an independent tendon study and a randomised bowel trial showed no clear benefit [21]C [28]E, not peer-reviewed.

An example of another wound peptide whose promising small-trial result did not hold in a larger trial: LL-37: what happens when a big trial fails.

Evidence against

• In an independent Turkish rat study (2026, 8 rats per group), tendons in the BPC-157 group had only numerically better total scores, while TB-500 significantly improved tendon strength. The groups were small, so the result does not show that there is no effect [21]C.
• In the randomised bowel inflammation trial, the disease index fell by 3.2 points with BPC-157 and 1.6 with placebo, but the confidence interval for the difference between groups crossed zero [28]E, not peer-reviewed. FDA judged the data inadequate to assess efficacy and safety [28]regulator.
• The placebo response in randomised knee pain trials is large, so uncontrolled observations are hard to interpret [8].
• A 2025 rat study was withdrawn at the authors' request, with no reason given [26]C. A withdrawal is not evidence against an effect.
• A critical review (2026) finds the animal evidence on ischaemia-reperfusion injury heterogeneous, with short follow-up, often a single dose and poorly described risk of bias [22]C.
• A phase 1 trial registered in 2015 was never published [39]E, not peer-reviewed. USADA says human studies of BPC-157 appear to have been cancelled or stopped without published conclusions [35]regulator.

What the evidence does not support

• "Speeds up injury healing in people": there is no human study of tendon, ligament or muscle injury [2]B.
• "Works as well by mouth as by injection": absorption in humans is unknown, and the routes have not been compared [8]B.
• "Safe for long-term use": follow-up in humans has been short, and the repeated-dose toxicology studies in animals lasted 28 days; there are no longer ones [28]regulator.
• "Improves performance": there is no study, and the substance is banned in sport [35]regulator.
• "No side effects": adverse events have been reported, and safety has not been studied enough [28]regulator.

BPC-157 dosage in studies

There is no approved dosage, and a safe dose is not known [35]regulator. FDA found five small human studies that report a dose, and two of them exist only as conference abstracts [28]regulator. The figures are not recommendations.

What the figures cannot tell you. None of the peer-reviewed studies compared doses with each other or with placebo [5, 6, 7]B, and FDA says the doses were likely exploratory [28]regulator. A review says the two-person intravenous study is not enough to choose a dose [8]B. In these studies it was given for at most two weeks [28]E, not peer-reviewed. Absorption: How long does BPC-157 stay in the body?

The BPC-157 calculator only converts units (mg, ml and syringe units) and does not suggest a dose. Doses of other substances: Dosing.

BPC-157 vs TB-500: what is the difference?

The main difference is the evidence: BPC-157 has three small peer-reviewed human studies [5, 6, 7]B, FDA found no human data at all for TB-500 [30]regulator, and the two have never been compared in humans.

• Origin: BPC-157 is part of a gastric juice protein [1]D. TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4 [30]regulator.
• Direct comparison: one rat study, in which TB-500 significantly improved tendon strength and BPC-157 did not [21]C.
• Sport: BPC-157 is in WADA class S0 and TB-500 in class S2.3 [33]regulator.
• United States: FDA's advisory committee discussed both on the same day, 23 Jul 2026 [29]regulator.

Combinations and blends

Combinations have not been studied in controlled human trials. The only human data are the four knee patients who received BPC-157 with thymosin beta-4, without a comparison group [5]B. In rats, BPC-157 combined with TB-500 gave no added benefit over either alone [21]C. One of FDA's adverse event reports involved a combination product [28]regulator. In practice the combination is common: Can BPC-157 be combined with TB-500?

BPC-157 is often named as part of the blends Wolverine and Glow. The composition of the blends has not been independently confirmed, and we found no published study of the blends themselves (see the blend pages). More: Peptide blends: what is in the vial and why the seller's label is not enough and all blends.

Status in the United States (updated 12 Oct 2026)

BPC-157 is not an approved medicine in the US, and according to USADA (as of 12 Oct 2026) there is no legal basis to include it in any compounded medication [35]regulator.

• Category 2. BPC-157 was nominated as a substance for compounded drugs, and the nominations were withdrawn [28]regulator. On FDA's safety-risk page (22 Apr 2026) it is in category 2, and FDA says it lacks sufficient information to know whether it would cause harm in humans [30]regulator.
• Also on that page are, among others, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, epitalon, DSIP, semax, selank, injectable GHK-Cu, thymosin alpha-1, melanotan II, GHRP-6 and kisspeptin-10 [30]regulator.
• 23 Jul 2026. FDA's advisory committee discussed BPC-157 for ulcerative colitis. FDA proposed not to allow it for compounding: the substance is poorly characterised, there are concerns about impurities and immune reactions, and efficacy has not been shown [28]regulator.
• The vote. According to STAT News, the committee narrowly recommended allowing pharmacies to compound BPC-157, KPV, TB-500 and MOTS-c, and most panelists who voted yes have ties to the peptide industry [31]E, not peer-reviewed. On 12 Oct 2026, FDA's meeting page showed no minutes or vote results [29]regulator. The committee is only advisory.
• 8 Oct 2026. According to the Washington Post, the administration is preparing to allow the temporary sale of some peptides through compounding pharmacies. The report relies on anonymous sources, and no plan has been announced [32]E, not peer-reviewed. Background: News.

Is BPC-157 legal in Finland and the EU?

BPC-157 is listed in Annex 1 A of Fimea's medicines list [37]regulator. Annex 1 A substances are controlled as medicines in Finland and are always treated like prescription-only medicines. BPC-157 has no marketing authorisation from any health authority [35]regulator.

• Fimea's medicines list. Annex 1 A of Fimea's decision 230/2025, "medicinal analogues and prohormones classified as medicines", includes BPC 157. The decision has applied since 19 May 2025 [37]regulator. Under section 6 of the Finnish Medicines Act, Fimea decides when needed whether a substance is to be regarded as a medicine [38]regulator. According to the Supreme Court of Finland, however, the list alone does not bindingly settle whether a particular product is a medicine; that is assessed case by case under section 3 of the Medicines Act [44]regulator.
• Marketing authorisation. Selling a medicinal product to the public requires a marketing authorisation or registration from Fimea or the EU [38]regulator.
• Fimea's warning, 29 Jun 2026. Fimea advised against using injectable peptides bought online and named BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295 and ipamorelin as examples. According to Fimea, a product injected through the skin can be a medicine in Finland [36]regulator.
• Import. Ordering medicines from outside the EU, customs and the medicines offence in Finnish criminal law are covered on Peptides and the law. Bringing them back from a trip: Travelling with peptides.

This is not legal advice. Disclaimer.

Is BPC-157 a doping substance?

Yes. Class S0 of WADA's 2026 Prohibited List bans substances with no approval by any health authority for human therapeutic use, and names BPC-157 as an example. The class is prohibited at all times, in and out of competition [33]regulator. USADA says a therapeutic use exemption is unlikely to be approved [35]regulator. WADA approved the 2027 list on 10 Sep 2026 [34]regulator, and it still names BPC-157 as an example in class S0; the list applies from 1 Jan 2027 [48]regulator.

A validated method detects BPC-157 in urine (detection limit 0.1 ng/mL), and its stable metabolite should, according to the researchers, show up in urine samples [25]D. A 2026 method from a Belgian anti-doping lab also detects BPC-157 in dried blood spots, serum and plasma [46]D. There is no public information on how often labs test for it routinely.

Many other peptides sold online are in class S2, for example TB-500 (S2.3) and CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin, ipamorelin, MK-677 and GHRP-6 (S2.2.4) [33]regulator.

How do you judge a BPC-157 product?

You cannot be sure what is in it: FDA considers BPC-157 poorly characterised, and information on impurities, endotoxins and other quality attributes was lacking [28]regulator. General rule: a COA is a lab report in which HPLC shows purity and MS identity, and the strongest evidence is an independent test of the same batch. More: How to read a peptide COA and verify a lab result. Handling: Mixing and handling.

The future: what comes next?

Next comes the first placebo-controlled trial in injuries (hamstring) [40]E, not peer-reviewed.

• Hamstring injuries: a phase 2 trial, about 120 participants, enrolling (status on 12 Oct 2026). Primary data collection is expected to end in February 2027 and the whole trial in February 2028 [40]E, not peer-reviewed.
• Rotator cuff surgery: a phase 1 trial, about 30 participants, not yet recruiting, expected to start in January 2027 [41]E, not peer-reviewed.

FAQ

Read the research yourself: sources

Every source opens the original publication or the regulator's page. The level shows what the source itself reports.

1. Sikirić P, Petek M, Rucman R, et al. A new gastric juice peptide, BPC. An overview of the stomach-stress-organoprotection hypothesis and beneficial effects of BPC. J Physiol Paris. 1993;87(5):313-327. PMID 8298609 (review)
2. Vasireddi N, Hahamyan H, Salata MJ, et al. Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review. HSS J. 2025;21(4):485-495. PMID 40756949 (review)
3. McGuire FP, Martinez R, Lenz A, et al. Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2025;18(12):611-619. PMID 40789979 (review)
4. Gwyer D, Wragg NM, Wilson SL. Gastric pentadecapeptide body protection compound BPC 157 and its role in accelerating musculoskeletal soft tissue healing. Cell Tissue Res. 2019;377(2):153-159. PMID 30915550 (review)
5. Lee E, Padgett B. Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain. Altern Ther Health Med. 2021;27(4):8-13. PMID 34324435 B
6. Lee E, Walker C, Ayadi B. Effect of BPC-157 on Symptoms in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis: A Pilot Study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2024;30(10):12-17. PMID 39325560 B
7. Lee E, Burgess K. Safety of Intravenous Infusion of BPC157 in Humans: A Pilot Study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2025;31(5):20-24. PMID 40131143 B
8. Mateescu DM, Gavrilescu DM, Constantinescu FE, et al. BPC-157 as an Investigational Peptide Therapeutic: Biopharmaceutical Challenges, Formulation Strategies, and Translational Development Barriers. Pharmaceutics. 2026;18(5):625. PMID 42198317 (review)
9. Yuan C, Demers A, Silva-Ortiz V, et al. From Regeneration to Analgesia: The Role of BPC-157 in Tissue Repair and Pain Management. Int J Mol Sci. 2026;27(6):2876. PMID 41898733 (review)
10. He L, Feng D, Guo H, et al. Pharmacokinetics, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of body-protective compound 157, a potential drug for treating various wounds, in rats and dogs. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1026182. PMID 36588717 C
11. Xu C, Sun L, Ren F, et al. Preclinical safety evaluation of body protective compound-157, a potential drug for treating various wounds. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020;114:104665. PMID 32334036 C
12. Staresinic M, Sebecic B, Patrlj L, et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in vitro stimulates tendocytes growth. J Orthop Res. 2003;21(6):976-983. PMID 14554208 C
13. Cerovecki T, Bojanic I, Brcic L, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat. J Orthop Res. 2010;28(9):1155-1161. PMID 20225319 C
14. Staresinic M, Petrovic I, Novinscak T, et al. Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. J Orthop Res. 2006;24(5):1109-1117. PMID 16609979 C
15. Klicek R, Sever M, Radic B, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, in clinical trials as a therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (PL14736), is effective in the healing of colocutaneous fistulas in rats: role of the nitric oxide-system. J Pharmacol Sci. 2008;108(1):7-17. PMID 18818478 C
16. Seveljević-Jaran D, Cuzić S, Dominis-Kramarić M, et al. Accelerated healing of excisional skin wounds by PL 14736 in alloxan-hyperglycemic rats. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;19(5):266-274. PMID 16785777 C
17. Jandric I, Vrcic H, Jandric Balen M, et al. Salutary effect of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in two different stress urinary incontinence models in female rats. Med Sci Monit Basic Res. 2013;19:93-102. PMID 23478678 C
18. Tudor M, Jandric I, Marovic A, et al. Traumatic brain injury in mice and pentadecapeptide BPC 157 effect. Regul Pept. 2010;160(1-3):26-32. PMID 19931318 C
19. Chang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS, et al. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J Appl Physiol. 2011;110(3):774-780. PMID 21030672 D
20. Hsieh MJ, Liu HT, Wang CN, et al. Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation. J Mol Med (Berl). 2017;95(3):323-333. PMID 27847966 D
21. Biçer O, Adanir O, Güleryüz Y, et al. Effects of BPC-157 and TB-500 on Achilles tendon healing in rats: A histopathological and biomechanical study. Jt Dis Relat Surg. 2026;37(3):822-837. PMID 42542926 C
22. Demirtaş H. BPC 157 in Rodent Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Critical Review of Preclinical Evidence. Int J Mol Sci. 2026;27(18):8344. PMID 42794771 (review)
23. Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. Sports Med. 2026;56(8):1921-1935. PMID 41966639 (review)
24. Moiz A, O'Keefe EL, O'Keefe JH. Dangers of Injectable Peptides and Other Unregulated "Biohacking" Drugs. Mo Med. 2026;123(4):337-343. PMID 42757290 (review)
25. Cox HD, Miller GD, Eichner D. Detection and in vitro metabolism of the confiscated peptides BPC 157 and MGF R23H. Drug Test Anal. 2017;9(10):1490-1498. PMID 28035768 D
26. Grubisic MM, Strbe S, Barisic I, et al. Withdrawn: Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy of Severe Electrolyte Disturbances in Rats. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2025 (withdrawn at the authors' request; PubMed: Retracted Publication). PMID 39865815 C
27. Sikiric P, Seiwerth S, Rucman R, et al. Focus on ulcerative colitis: stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(1):126-132. PMID 22300085 (review)
28. FDA. Briefing document, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, 23-24 July 2026: BPC-157-related bulk drug substances (BPC-157 free base and BPC-157 acetate). fda.gov (PDF) regulator
29. FDA. July 23-24, 2026: Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (agenda and materials). fda.gov regulator
30. FDA. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 22 Apr 2026). fda.gov regulator
31. STAT News. In win for RFK Jr., FDA advisory panel narrowly votes to allow compounding of unapproved peptides. 23 Jul 2026. statnews.com E, not peer-reviewed (secondary)
32. Washington Post, republished by Anchorage Daily News: report on a planned temporary sale of some unapproved peptides by compounding pharmacies (two anonymous sources). 7-8 Oct 2026. adn.com E, not peer-reviewed (secondary)
33. WADA. World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026, class S0 Non-Approved Substances. wada-ama.org (PDF) regulator
34. WADA. WADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List. Press release, 21 Sep 2026. wada-ama.org regulator
35. USADA. BPC-157: What Athletes Should Know About the Prohibited Experimental Peptide. usada.org regulator
36. Fimea. Fimea varoittaa: älä käytä verkosta ostettuja pistettäviä peptidejä / Fimea warns: do not use injectable peptides purchased online. 29 Jun 2026. fimea.fi regulator
37. Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea). Decision on the list of medicines 230/2025, annex 1 A (in force from 19 May 2025), in Finnish. Finlex regulator
38. Lääkelaki 395/1987, 3 §, 6 § ja 20 a § (Medicines Act, in Finnish). Finlex regulator
39. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02637284: PCO-02, Safety and Pharmacokinetics Trial (Bepecin; PharmaCotherapia d.o.o.; phase 1; status unknown; last update 22 Dec 2015; no results). ClinicalTrials.gov E, not peer-reviewed
40. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07437547: BPC 157 for Acute Hamstring Muscle Strain Repair (Hudson Biotech; phase 2; recruiting as of 12 Oct 2026). ClinicalTrials.gov E, not peer-reviewed
41. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07803250: Impact of BPC-157 on Recovery Following Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery (University of Arkansas; phase 1; not yet recruiting as of 12 Oct 2026). ClinicalTrials.gov E, not peer-reviewed
42. Boban Blagaic A, Turcic P, Blagaic V, et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 counteracts morphine-induced analgesia in mice. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;60 Suppl 7:177-181. PMID 20388962 C
43. Jelovac N, Sikiric P, Rucman R, et al. The effect of a novel pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on development of tolerance and physical dependence following repeated administration of diazepam. Chin J Physiol. 1999;42(3):171-179. PMID 10707891 C
44. Korkein oikeus. KKO:2026:47 (lääkkeen määritelmä, lääkeluettelon oikeudellinen merkitys, lääkerikos). korkeinoikeus.fi regulator
45. Stupnisek M, Franjic S, Drmic D, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 reduces bleeding time and thrombocytopenia after amputation in rats treated with heparin, warfarin or aspirin. Thromb Res. 2012;129(5):652-659. PMID 21840572 C
46. Mazzarino M, Colpaert T, Deventer K, Van Eenoo P. Rapid and harmonized analytical workflow for the determination of peptidic and non-peptidic doping agents in dried and liquid blood matrices. Analyst. 2026;151(15):4398-4413. PMID 42328738 D
47. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07752381: Peptide gummies with BPC-157 (Parlay Wellness; single group, dietary supplement; completed Nov 2025; no results posted as of 12 Oct 2026). ClinicalTrials.gov E, not peer-reviewed
48. WADA. Prohibited List 2027 (tracked-changes version, 26 Aug 2026; in force 1 Jan 2027), class S0. wada-ama.org (PDF) regulator
49. Novinscak T, Brcic L, Staresinic M, et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as an effective therapy for muscle crush injury in the rat. Surg Today. 2008;38(8):716-725. PMID 18668315 C
50. Perovic D, Kolenc D, Bilic V, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in rats. J Orthop Surg Res. 2019;14(1):199. PMID 31266512 C
51. Yıldırım AK, Demirtaş H, Özer A, Arslan M. Protective effects of BPC 157 in rats with experimentally induced lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sci Rep. 2026;16(1):24375. PMID 42204242 C
52. Huang T, Zhang K, Sun L, et al. Body protective compound-157 enhances alkali-burn wound healing in vivo and promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in vitro. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2015;9:2485-2499. PMID 25995620 C

Sources checked 12 Oct 2026. Source 26 has been withdrawn (listed as evidence against). Sources 31 and 32 are secondary news sources.

Evidence levels: A = randomised human trial or meta-analysis · B = observational human study or case series · C = animal study · D = cell or laboratory study · E = not peer-reviewed · regulator = a regulator's assessment or decision, not research evidence. For a review, the level shows what kind of research the statement rests on. No level: statements that something has not been studied, reviews' interpretations, named hypotheses and the general rules in our certificate-of-analysis guide.

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