Peptide Information Overview

Peptides - Overview

Peptide therapy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas in medicine, attracting interest from patients seeking support for weight loss, muscle recovery, injury healing, immune function, and healthy aging. As research into peptide compounds expands and clinical applications multiply, more patients and providers are exploring peptides as part of a broader approach to health optimization. At this time, peptide medications are not available through Push Health. However, Push Health plans to offer peptide medications if they are approved by the FDA in the future.

What Are Peptides Used For?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bond. Peptides are the same building blocks that make up proteins. However, while proteins are typically composed of 50 or more amino acids, peptides are typically smaller molecules. Because they are smaller, peptides are thought to interact with specific receptors in the body with a higher degree of precision. Clinically, peptide medications are believed to signal biological processes without setting off broader systemic effects that larger proteins would trigger.

The human body naturally produces hundreds of peptides that serve a number of essential functions. Hormones such as insulin, growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and glucagon are all considered peptides. Neurotransmitters, immune signaling molecules, and tissue repair compounds are often based on peptides. Recent investigations of peptide medication therapy builds on this existing biology with the intention of replicating the body's own signaling processes.

The therapeutic use of peptides is not new. Insulin, one of the most widely used medications in the world, is a peptide and has been prescribed for over a century. More recently, new peptide compounds are being tested in clinical settings to assist with areas such as metabolic optimization, body composition, cognitive support, and recovery.

How Do Peptides Work?

Peptides work by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells and triggering a biological response. Because different peptides bind to different receptors, each peptide compound has a relatively set of clinical effects, depending on the receptors engaged.

In contrast to hormone replacement therapy, many therapeutic peptides work by stimulating the body's own production of hormones or growth factors rather than directly replacing them. In the case of hormones, peptide medications work to preserve natural hormone secretion processes rather than bypassing them. This approach is thought to produce a more physiologically balanced effect than direct hormone administration.

Peptides are generally administered through a small, nearly painless injection into the fatty tissue just beneath the skin (subcutaneous injection). While some peptides are available in other forms such as nasal spray, oral, or topical formulations, injectable peptides are thought to produce more reliable results and clinical effects. Unfortunately, the FDA has not reviewed clinical data on peptide administration in humans so all of this information should be considered anecdotal.

Peptides and FDA Approval

It is important for patients to understand the regulatory landscape surrounding peptide therapy. Some peptide medications are approved by the FDA and have well-established clinical evidence. Examples include insulin, GLP-1 agonists, and bremelanotide (Vyleesi). These medications have undergone rigorous clinical trials demonstrating safety and efficacy for specific indications and are available through standard pharmacy channels when prescribed by a licensed provider.

Other peptides - including many of those discussed in online wellness communities and by some compounding pharmacies - are not FDA-approved for human use. The FDA has taken action in recent years to restrict the compounding of certain peptides due to concerns about safety data and manufacturing standards. Patients should be aware that not all peptides marketed online are legally available for prescription use, and that the quality and purity of peptide products varies significantly depending on the source.

Push Health providers prescribe FDA-approved peptide medications and evaluate patients for peptide therapy based on current clinical evidence and applicable prescribing guidelines.

Peptide Types

• GLP-1 Agonists
• BPC-157*
• CJC-1295*
• Insulin
• Ipamorelin*
• MOTS-c*
• Oxytocin
• TB-500*
• Vyleesi

*Not FDA approved

Related Push Health Services and Medications

Patients exploring peptide therapy may also be interested in the following Push Health services and medications:

• GLP-1 receptor agonists: Foundayo, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Weight Loss