Common FDA-Approved Peptide Medications and Their Established Uses

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers in the body, helping coordinate cellular communication and biological repair. While many peptides are still being researched, several have undergone full evaluation and are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific medical purposes.

The list below highlights FDA-approved peptide-based medications, their recognized applications, and their general therapeutic categories.
This information is intended for educational purposes only.

1. Insulin and Insulin Analogs

Among the earliest peptide drugs, insulin regulates blood glucose. Synthetic analogs such as insulin lispro, aspart, and glargine modify how quickly or how long insulin acts. These remain critical in the management of diabetes under medical supervision.

2. Glucagon and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Glucagon is a peptide hormone that helps raise blood sugar during hypoglycemia.
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide are approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management.
They influence insulin secretion and glucose metabolism through well-established mechanisms.

3. Calcitonin

Derived from salmon or synthetic sources, calcitonin helps regulate calcium balance.
It is FDA-approved in certain forms (nasal spray and injection) for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.

4. Teriparatide and Abaloparatide

These peptides are fragments of parathyroid hormone that stimulate new bone formation.
They are approved for specific cases of osteoporosis where bone density improvement is clinically indicated and monitored.

5. Buserelin, Leuprolide, and Related GnRH Analogs

These peptides modulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pathways.
They are used in hormone-related conditions such as prostate cancer, endometriosis, and reproductive endocrinology.
All are available only by prescription under controlled dosing schedules.

6. Desmopressin

A synthetic analog of vasopressin, desmopressin supports kidney water regulation and certain bleeding disorders.
It demonstrates how modifying a naturally occurring peptide can improve stability and precision in therapy.

7. Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone that plays a key role in childbirth and lactation.
Its synthetic form is used in obstetric care for medically supervised labor induction or postpartum bleeding control.

8. Somatropin (Human Growth Hormone)

Somatropin is a recombinant peptide identical to natural human growth hormone.
It is approved for specific growth disorders and certain adult hormone deficiencies, administered under endocrinologist supervision.

9. Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 (Teduglutide)

Teduglutide is a GLP-2 analog approved for patients with short bowel syndrome.
It promotes intestinal adaptation and nutrient absorption when medically indicated.

10. Liraglutide and Semaglutide (Metabolic Health Peptides)

These well-known GLP-1 agonists have become key tools in the management of type 2 diabetes and weight-related metabolic conditions.
They represent how peptide science can evolve into safe, standardized treatments through rigorous clinical testing.

Key Takeaway

Only peptides that have undergone complete FDA review for safety, purity, and efficacy are legally approved for therapeutic use in humans.
Other peptides discussed online may remain experimental, suitable only for research under institutional or regulatory oversight.
Understanding this distinction helps clinicians and patients make informed, evidence-based decisions.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice or promote any product. All medications listed are FDA-approved for defined medical indications and should be used only under the direction of a licensed healthcare professional. Peptides not listed here may be investigational and are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general human use.