# Peptide Guide for Medical Practices

> Clinical peptide guides for physicians and practice owners: prescribing considerations, mechanisms of action, evidence summaries, dosing, and pharmacy sourcing for 19 peptides across 3 categories.

Each guide is a standalone clinical reference. Every entry states its FDA compounding category, so program eligibility can be checked before adding a peptide to a treatment menu.

## Growth Hormone Support

### [SERMORELIN](/resources/peptides/sermorelin)

Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of the first 29 amino acids of the naturally occurring 44 amino acid sequence. It is one of the most established and longest-used GH peptides in clinical practice, with a strong safety profile and extensive prescribing history.

## Immune Support

### [VIP](/resources/peptides/vip)

VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is a 28-amino acid neuropeptide with potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory properties. It is central to the Shoemaker protocol for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and mold illness, where it serves as the final intervention to restore neuroimmune regulation after other markers are corrected.

## Metabolic & Longevity

### [NAD-PLUS](/resources/peptides/nad-plus)

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in all living cells that plays critical roles in energy metabolism, DNA repair, and cellular signaling. NAD+ levels decline with age, and supplementation via IV or subcutaneous injection has become a cornerstone of longevity and anti-aging clinical practice. Oral capsules are also available through compounding pharmacies as a lower-cost, at-home option, though intact NAD+ is poorly absorbed by that route.

### [SS-31](/resources/peptides/ss-31)

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted peptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilizing cardiolipin and improving electron transport chain efficiency. It has been investigated in clinical trials for mitochondrial myopathies, heart failure, and age-related mitochondrial decline.

### [METHYLENE-BLUE](/resources/peptides/methylene-blue)

Methylene Blue is a synthetic compound that functions as an alternative mitochondrial electron carrier, bypassing complex I and III dysfunction to support cellular energy production. FDA-approved for methemoglobinemia, it is increasingly compounded for off-label use in longevity, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotection protocols due to its ability to improve mitochondrial respiration and reduce oxidative stress.

### [GLUTATHIONE](/resources/peptides/glutathione)

Glutathione is a tripeptide (glutamate, cysteine, glycine) that serves as the body's master antioxidant, playing critical roles in detoxification, immune function, and cellular protection against oxidative stress. It is one of the most commonly compounded injectables in clinical practice, used extensively in anti-aging, detoxification, skin brightening, and immune support protocols.

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