# GHK-Cu GHK-Cu is split by route. For uses other than injection, such as on the skin, it is in Category 1: a pharmacy may use it while FDA decides. Injected GHK-Cu is in limbo, and no pharmacy may lawfully make it. The evidence grade is limited-human: a few small skin trials, and little human data on injection. Status checked: 2026-10-25. Last verified: 2026-10-26. Primary source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download This page has not been individually reviewed by a clinician. Information, not medical advice. | Fact | Value | Tier | Checked | Source | |---|---|---|---|---| | Also called | tripeptide-copper complex, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ | peer-reviewed | 2026-10-25 | [source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/) | | Class | healing-and-repair | peer-reviewed | 2026-10-25 | [source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/) | | Regulatory status | category-1 | primary | 2026-10-25 | [source](https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download) | | Status source read | 2026-10-25 | primary | 2026-10-25 | [source](https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download) | | Evidence grade | limited-human | our assessment | 2026-10-25 | [source](https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade) | ## Name GHK-Cu Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ## Summary A small peptide found in human blood, bound to copper. It has long been sold in skin creams. Some people now inject it. Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe ## Short answer GHK-Cu is split by route. For uses other than injection, such as on the skin, it is in Category 1: a pharmacy may use it while FDA decides. Injected GHK-Cu is in limbo, and no pharmacy may lawfully make it. The evidence grade is limited-human: a few small skin trials, and little human data on injection. Source: https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer ## Status by route Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### Routes other than injection, such as on the skin Status: category-1 Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### Injection Status: limbo Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## Known risks - FDA warns that injected GHK-Cu made by a pharmacy may set off the immune system. The peptide can clump and can carry impurities [^1]. - FDA says there are few data in people on the safety of injected GHK-Cu [^1]. - A clinician told NPR of patients with skin irritation, infections and high liver tests after injecting it on their own [^20]. It is not clear whether the copper peptide or something else in the product caused this [^20]. - Doctors told NPR that injected products bought online come with no assurance of what is in them [^20]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## What nobody knows yet - Nobody knows what injected GHK-Cu does in people. No published human study has shown its effects or its safety [^20]. - Whether GHK-Cu helps the skin is not settled. Small trials in people disagree [^9] [^14]. - How much GHK-Cu passes through the skin is not well known [^16] [^15]. - About a third of GHK-Cu studies share authors who have long held business interests in the field, a 2026 review notes [^15]. - FDA has not set a date for its committee to meet on GHK-Cu [^4]. FDA has not decided whether to add it to the federal list [^2]. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42787770/ ## What it is GHK-Cu is a small peptide bound to copper [^11]. The peptide, called GHK, is a chain of three amino acids [^20]. A chemist first found it in human blood in the early 1970s [^20]. Its full chemical name is glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ [^11]. Copper peptide creams and serums have been sold for skin care for decades [^20]. More recently, many people have started to inject it under the skin [^20]. FDA treats the injected form and other forms differently [^1] [^2]. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/ ## Where it stands legally GHK-Cu is split by route. For routes other than injection, it is in Category 1: FDA's list of substances pharmacies may use while FDA decides [^2] [^3]. That is not approval, and FDA is still deciding whether to add it to the federal list. Injected GHK-Cu is in limbo: it came off Category 2 and was not added to Category 1 [^1] [^2]. That does not make it lawful to compound. Checked 25 October 2026. Category 2 is FDA's list of substances that may raise significant safety risks [^1]. For Category 1, FDA says it does not plan to act against a pharmacy that meets the policy's conditions [^3]. That is a choice not to act, not approval of GHK-Cu as a drug [^3]. In April 2026, the groups that nominated GHK-Cu withdrew. FDA then took the injected form off Category 2 and the other forms off Category 1 [^1] [^2] [^6]. In May 2026, one group said it meant to withdraw only the injected form [^2]. FDA then put the other forms back in Category 1 [^2]. Removal from Category 2 does not by itself let pharmacies use a substance [^7]. FDA says its Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee will discuss GHK-Cu before the end of February 2027 [^4] [^2]. FDA has posted no date for that meeting [^4]. A news report on the injected form says the committee will look at it then [^20]. The committee gives advice only, and FDA decides by writing a rule [^6]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ## What the evidence shows The evidence grade is limited-human: the few trials in people tested products on the skin [^15]. No published human study shows that injecting it is safe [^20]. A study on the skin says nothing about what an injection does. Skin trials in people: in a 2006 trial, 13 people used skin care with or without GHK-Cu after laser treatment around the mouth [^9]. Blinded reviewers found no difference in redness, wrinkles or skin quality [^9]. People who used GHK-Cu did rate their skin as better [^9]. In a 1992 trial of 86 people with leg ulcers, a tripeptide copper cream did no better than a cream with no drug [^10]. The study summary does not say which tripeptide it used [^10]. A 2026 review found only two randomized trials of GHK-Cu for looks among 20 studies [^14]. It reports that GHK-Cu reduced wrinkle depth compared with controls [^14]. Another 2026 review says most human trials are small and test face creams [^15]. Injection in animals: in rats, GHK-Cu injected into small chambers under the skin raised collagen and other wound tissue [^11]. In rats after knee ligament surgery, GHK-Cu injected into the knee helped at 6 weeks but not at 12 weeks [^12]. In mice with lung scarring, GHK-Cu injected into the belly reduced the scarring [^13]. A result in an animal does not show what happens in people. A 2026 review for sports doctors found no clinical data for GHK-Cu in muscle, bone or joint problems [^17]. A recruiting trial is testing a GHK-Cu gel on small skin wounds in healthy adults [^19]. Its only site is in China [^19]. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42787770/ ## Legitimate ways to get it For routes other than injection, a licensed pharmacy may make GHK-Cu under FDA's Category 1 policy [^2] [^3]. FDA says it does not plan to act against that compounding when the policy's conditions are met [^3]. This covers forms such as those used on the skin. It does not cover injection [^2]. There is no legal way to get injected GHK-Cu in the US today [^1] [^2]. No approved drug contains GHK-Cu [^5]. A pharmacy may use a substance like it only if it is in an approved drug or on FDA's list [^3]. The one open trial of GHK-Cu we found tests a skin gel, and its only site is in China [^19]. Any open trial would appear in the trials block below, with the date the registry was last checked. Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ## How people are getting it anyway This section describes what happens and is not a recommendation. NPR reports that many people buy injectable GHK-Cu from online sellers [^20]. Doctors told NPR there is no assurance of what is in those products [^20]. FDA has warned a seller of research-use peptides that a "research use only" label does not stop a product from being a drug [^22]. That letter did not name GHK-Cu [^22]. Pharmacies are the other channel that a federal record names [^5]. In 2020, FDA warned a compounding pharmacy that its GHK-Cu products did not meet the rules for compounding [^5]. NPR also reports that a clinic offers GHK-Cu injections made by a US pharmacy, despite the limits [^20]. FDA warns that injected GHK-Cu may set off the immune system and may carry impurities [^1]. Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe ## Access routes Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### Lawful compounding Detail: For routes other than injection, such as on the skin, GHK-Cu is in Category 1. A licensed pharmacy may make it while FDA decides, if it meets the policy's conditions. Injected GHK-Cu has no legal route. Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ## Unofficial channels Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe ### Research use seller What it is: Websites that sell injectable GHK-Cu straight to the public. Legal position: FDA says a research-use label does not stop a product meant for people from being a drug. An unapproved new drug may not be sold across state lines. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/peptide-partners-llc-735063-08242026) Documented risks: - Doctors told NPR there is no assurance of what is in injectable GHK-Cu bought online. (source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe) - FDA warns that injected GHK-Cu may set off the immune system and may carry impurities. (source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) Enforcement: - 2026-08-24: FDA warning letter to a seller of research-use peptides: a research-use label did not stop its products from being unapproved drugs. The letter does not name GHK-Cu. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/peptide-partners-llc-735063-08242026) Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/peptide-partners-llc-735063-08242026 ### Compounding outside the rules What it is: Injected GHK-Cu made by a pharmacy, a form that is not in Category 1. Legal position: Only forms of GHK-Cu given by routes other than injection are in Category 1. FDA's list leaves out injected GHK-Cu. (source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download) Documented risks: - FDA warns that injected GHK-Cu made by a pharmacy may set off the immune system. FDA says there are few data in people on its safety. (source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) - A clinician told NPR of patients with infections and high liver tests after injecting GHK-Cu. (source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe) Enforcement: - 2020-04-01: FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy: GHK-Cu was among bulk substances that made its products ineligible under section 503A. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020) - 2026-05-14: FDA's 503A category list, updated 14 May 2026, puts GHK-Cu in Category 1 only for routes other than injection. (source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download) Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ## Recruiting trials Snapshot date: 2026-10-25. A listing is not a recommendation. Trials have strict eligibility rules. Talk to your doctor and read the official record. - nct NCT07437586, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07437586, phase Phase 2, title Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing, status recruiting, sponsor Hudson Biotech, countries China, us states none listed Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=GHK-Cu+gel+OR+Copper%28II%29-peptide+complex&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState ## Sources Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### 1. FDA: bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks, including those withdrawn from Category 2 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ### 2. FDA: categories of bulk drug substances nominated under section 503A, list updated 14 May 2026 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### 3. FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act ### 4. FDA: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting before the end of February 2027 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee/meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee ### 5. FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy, 1 April 2020 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020 ### 6. McDermott Will & Schulte: what the July 2026 committee votes on peptides mean Type: legal-analysis Tier: legal-analysis Source: https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/bulk-list-bound-pcac-backs-majority-of-peptides-in-two-day-public-meeting/ ### 7. Goodwin: FDA signals a possible change in its stance on compounding some peptides Type: legal-analysis Tier: legal-analysis Source: https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/insights/blogs/2026/05/fda-signals-potentially-evolving-stance-toward-compounding-of-certain-peptides ### 8. Sheppard Mullin: FDA pairs its peptide policy with action against unlawful sellers Type: legal-analysis Tier: legal-analysis Source: https://www.sheppard.com/insights/blogs/fda-balances-peptide-policy-with-enforcement-against-unlawful-peptide-sellers ### 9. GHK-Cu skin care after laser skin treatment, randomized trial in 13 people, 2006 Type: rct Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16847171/ ### 10. Copper peptide cream for leg ulcers, randomized trial in 86 people, 1992 Type: rct Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1495150/ ### 11. GHK-Cu injected into wound chambers in rats, 1993 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/ ### 12. GHK-Cu injected into the knee after ligament surgery in rats, 2015 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25731775/ ### 13. GHK-Cu in mice with lung scarring, 2020 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31809714/ ### 14. Systematic review: GHK-Cu in aesthetic medicine, 2026 Type: systematic-review Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42619529/ ### 15. Systematic review: how GHK-Cu acts and the case for more trials, 2026 Type: systematic-review Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42787770/ ### 16. Review: GHK on the skin against wrinkles, 2025 Type: reference Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39963574/ ### 17. Review: injectable peptides for bone, joint and sports doctors, 2026 Type: reference Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41476424/ ### 18. Review: approved and unapproved peptides for injuries and sport, 2026 Type: reference Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41966639/ ### 19. ClinicalTrials.gov: topical GHK-Cu gel for skin wound healing, NCT07437586 Type: reference Tier: primary Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07437586 ### 20. NPR: the copper peptide trend has gone from creams to injections, 7 September 2026 Type: reference Tier: established-news Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe ### 21. RAPS: FDA considers adding a dozen peptides to its compounding list Type: reference Tier: established-news Source: https://www.raps.org/resource/fda-considers-adding-a-dozen-peptides-to-its-bulk-drug-compounding-list.html ### 22. FDA warning letter to a seller of research-use peptides, 24 August 2026 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/peptide-partners-llc-735063-08242026 Last verified: 2026-10-26. Sources: - https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=GHK-Cu+gel+OR+Copper%28II%29-peptide+complex&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState - https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade - https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42787770/ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/ - https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks - https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download - https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe [^1]: FDA: bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks, including those withdrawn from Category 2 https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks [^2]: FDA: categories of bulk drug substances nominated under section 503A, list updated 14 May 2026 https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download [^3]: FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act [^4]: FDA: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting before the end of February 2027 https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee/meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee [^5]: FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy, 1 April 2020 https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020 [^6]: McDermott Will & Schulte: what the July 2026 committee votes on peptides mean https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/bulk-list-bound-pcac-backs-majority-of-peptides-in-two-day-public-meeting/ [^7]: Goodwin: FDA signals a possible change in its stance on compounding some peptides https://www.goodwinlaw.com/en/insights/blogs/2026/05/fda-signals-potentially-evolving-stance-toward-compounding-of-certain-peptides [^9]: GHK-Cu skin care after laser skin treatment, randomized trial in 13 people, 2006 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16847171/ [^10]: Copper peptide cream for leg ulcers, randomized trial in 86 people, 1992 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1495150/ [^11]: GHK-Cu injected into wound chambers in rats, 1993 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8227353/ [^12]: GHK-Cu injected into the knee after ligament surgery in rats, 2015 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25731775/ [^13]: GHK-Cu in mice with lung scarring, 2020 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31809714/ [^14]: Systematic review: GHK-Cu in aesthetic medicine, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42619529/ [^15]: Systematic review: how GHK-Cu acts and the case for more trials, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42787770/ [^16]: Review: GHK on the skin against wrinkles, 2025 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39963574/ [^17]: Review: injectable peptides for bone, joint and sports doctors, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41476424/ [^19]: ClinicalTrials.gov: topical GHK-Cu gel for skin wound healing, NCT07437586 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07437586 [^20]: NPR: the copper peptide trend has gone from creams to injections, 7 September 2026 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5955552/copper-peptides-skin-aging-health-safe [^22]: FDA warning letter to a seller of research-use peptides, 24 August 2026 https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/peptide-partners-llc-735063-08242026