BPC-157
Aliases: Body Protection Compound 157 · PL 14736 · Bepecin
Last verified: 2026-09-23
The short version
BPC-157 is the archetype of the gap between preclinical promise and clinical reality. The animal literature is broad — tendon, muscle, ligament, gut and nerve injury models in rodents, almost entirely from a single research lineage — but no registered, completed, peer-reviewed controlled human trial exists at all. Nothing is known about human pharmacokinetics, dosing, safety or immunogenicity. Regulators have moved accordingly: FDA placed it in Category 2 of the 503A bulk substances list (significant safety risks, citing lack of human safety data and potential immunogenicity), and WADA prohibits it by name under S0 with no TUE possible. Community protocols circulating online have no experimental basis — they are anecdote, not evidence.
Identity & type
- Molecular type
- fragment
- Sequence / structure
- GEPPPGKPADDAGLV (15 aa)
- Molecular weight
- ~1419 Da
- Origin
- Synthetic fragment of the gastric juice protective peptide (BPC), isolated from human gastric juice protein.
Mechanism of action
Promotes angiogenesis (VEGF/NO pathway), modulates growth factors, acts on dopaminergic and opioid systems and protects endothelium. Stable in gastric juice, so it also works orally.
not confirmed in humans
Dosing & routes
Official / clinical context
No approved labeling or published clinical protocols documented for this entry as of last verification. Regulator-approved labeling and study designs are referenced as information only — never a recommendation.
Regulator-approved labeling and published study designs — never a recommendation.
Community-reported practice
Community reports commonly describe subcutaneous, intramuscular or oral self-administration for injuries and gut complaints; no human route, dose or duration has been validated in any controlled trial, and these reports are not efficacy evidence.
Unverified self-reports. Not medical advice. Not endorsement.
Expected effects (community)
The community reports noticeably faster healing of tendons, ligaments and muscles (7–14 days), reduced chronic joint pain and calmed GI symptoms (gastritis, bloating). Effects are described as gradual and cumulative; the typical "felt" window is 2–4 weeks.
Protocol — official vs community
Official / label
No official protocol exists. BPC-157 is a research chemical with no approved product and no completed registered human trial.
Duration: —
FDA Category 2 bulk-substance designation signals significant safety concerns; WADA prohibits it (S0) for tested athletes.
Community (anecdotal)
250–500 mcg SC 1–2× daily near the injury site or systemically; 500 mcg oral ('arginate' salt) for gut indications. Injection vs oral is a genuine fork in community practice.
- Cycle:
- 4–8 weeks per injury, then reassess.
- Break:
- 2–4 weeks between cycles.
Every element — dose, route, duration — is extrapolated from rodent scaling and anecdote. The consistency of the anecdotes is the strongest thing about this protocol, and it is not strong.
Human evidence
Essentially none. No registered, completed, peer-reviewed controlled human efficacy trial was identified. FDA's Category 2 designation explicitly reflects the absence of human safety characterization.
Preclinical evidence
Extensive rodent and in-vitro literature (largely from one research group) reporting accelerated healing of tendons, muscle, gut and other tissues, with proposed NO/VEGFR2/FAK-paxillin mechanisms. None of it has been translated into controlled human evidence.
Known risks
- Unknown human safety profile; uncharacterized immunogenicity (basis of FDA Category 2)characterized
- Unregulated 'research chemical' supply (purity/sterility not assured)characterized
- Theoretical pro-angiogenic concern (potential tumor feeding)theoretical
- WADA anti-doping violation risk (S0, named, since 2022; no TUE)characterized
Teal: characterized in clinical/labeling contexts. Amber: theoretical or reported outside controlled settings.
Unknowns & evidence gaps
- All human pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy
- Active dose range in humans (if any)
- Identity and purity of gray-market products
Frequently asked questions
References
- Sikiric P. et al., reviews of preclinical BPC-157 work (Curr Pharm Des and related journals)
- FDA, 503A Bulks List — Category 2 determination for BPC-157
- WADA Prohibited List, S0 (non-approved substances)