BPC-157: A prohibited peptide and an unapproved drug found in health and wellness products

OTHER NAMES

Body protection compound 157
BPC15
PL10
PL14736
Bepecin

Prohibited Status

Prohibited

What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 (short for Body Protection Compound 157) is a laboratory-made, synthetic peptide made up of 15 amino acids. It is often promoted to protect organs from damage or to speed up the healing and recovery of wounds (skin, tendon, muscle, ligament, and bone). BPC-157 may also be marketed in health-and-wellness products to enhance physical and mental performance, promote gut and joint health, or manage inflammation.

Is BPC-157 a prohibited substance?

BPC-157 is not a dietary ingredient. It is an unapproved drug and cannot be legally prescribed or sold over the counter. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Approved Drugs database does not include BPC-157 or any of its other names.

BPC-157 is listed in class S0: Non-Approved Substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List and, it’s also on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List in accordance with DoDI 6130.06.

Products containing BPC-157 might be labeled as “research chemicals” and carry statements such as “Not for human consumption,” “Research use only,” or “For research purposes only.” Service Members should avoid using “research chemicals” or any products containing prohibited ingredients, regardless of how they are taken (by mouth, injection, or nasal spray).

Is BPC-157 safe for human use?

There are many research studies on the potential use of BPC-157 in treatments for a variety of medical conditions. Although it was registered in a clinical trial under the name Bepecin in 2015, the study did not result in any approved uses for this substance. In addition, the marketed benefits of BPC-157 have only been shown in lab or animal studies (rats, mice, and dogs). The lack of well-designed, comprehensive, human clinical studies means that there is little to no reliable scientific evidence to support the safety or effectiveness of BPC-157 in humans.

FDA has also cautioned against compounded drugs containing BPC-157 due to safety risks and potential contamination with other substances.

Bottom Line

BPC-157 is an unapproved drug.
The safety and effectiveness of BPC-157 have not been thoroughly evaluated in humans.
BPC-157 is on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List.

Posted April 29, 2025

References

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