Treatments, explained
Plain-words explainers for NAD+, peptides, GLP-1s, testosterone and HRT: what each is, what studies looked at, and whether a US pharmacy can make it.
NAD+
Glutathione
Glutathione is an antioxidant the body makes.
Not FDA-approved; may be compounded by a licensed pharmacy
NAD+
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme made from vitamin B3 that cells use to turn food into energy and to run some DNA-repair enzymes. NMN and NR are building blocks the body turns into it.
Not FDA-approved; may be compounded by a licensed pharmacy
NMN
NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a nucleotide in the vitamin B3 family. Cells convert it into NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme that enzymes use for energy metabolism and DNA repair.
Not FDA-approved
Peptides
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is an experimental GHRH analog without FDA approval.
Not FDA-approved
GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu (copper peptide) is a three-amino-acid peptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) bound to copper. On cosmetic labels it's usually listed as copper tripeptide-1.
Not FDA-approved; may be compounded by a licensed pharmacy
Injectable GHK-Cu
Injectable GHK-Cu is a form of the same copper-binding tripeptide used in skin care (copper tripeptide-1), given as an injection under the skin instead of applied to it.
Not FDA-approved; FDA lists it as a compounding safety risk
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid peptide that activates the ghrelin receptor to release growth hormone. Research code NNC 26-0161. Not approved by FDA for any use.
Not FDA-approved
PT-141 (bremelanotide)
PT-141 is a melanocortin receptor agonist that is approved as Vyleesi for acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women when low desire causes distress and is not explained by specified other causes.
FDA-approved
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a lab-made peptide matching the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It signals the pituitary to release your own growth hormone rather than supplying growth hormone itself.
Not FDA-approved; may be compounded by a licensed pharmacy
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a lab-made analog of growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF). It prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone. The reviewed current US approved formulations are Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR.
FDA-approved
GLP-1
Metformin
Metformin (metformin hydrochloride) is a biguanide pill taken by mouth that lowers blood sugar. It cuts the glucose your liver makes, absorbs less from your gut, and helps muscle take up sugar. It's sold as a generic; the original brand, Glucophage, is discontinued.
FDA-approved for a different use
Retatrutide
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational once-weekly injected drug, made by Eli Lilly, that switches on three hormone receptors: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. It's being tested for obesity, type 2 diabetes and related conditions. It isn't sold as an approved medicine anywhere in the US.
Not FDA-approved
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a lab-made version of GLP-1, a hormone your gut releases after you eat. It acts on GLP-1 receptors in the brain, stomach and pancreas, so you feel full sooner and your blood sugar stays steadier. Novo Nordisk sells it as Ozempic and Wegovy.
FDA-approved
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injected drug that switches on two hormone receptors your gut uses after a meal: GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Eli Lilly sells it as Mounjaro and Zepbound.
FDA-approved
Testosterone
Enclomiphene
Enclomiphene (enclomiphene citrate) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) taken by mouth. It's the trans isomer of clomiphene, and it raises the pituitary hormones that tell the testes to make testosterone and sperm. It's sold in the US as a compounded capsule, not as an approved drug.
Not FDA-approved; may be compounded by a licensed pharmacy
Testosterone (TRT)
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a treatment that gives prescription testosterone to replace what the body isn't making enough of. It's a controlled hormone, not a supplement or a "booster".
FDA-approved