GHK-Cu

Copper Peptide GHK-Cu

Grade C: Preliminary or limited human evidence

TL;DR: GHK-Cu (glycine-histidine-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex found in human plasma, with well-characterized activity in cell culture and animal wound-healing models. Human evidence for the topical cosmetic form (sold as Copper Tripeptide-1) includes small studies and some controlled trials examining wound healing and skin aging, but the overall body of human RCT evidence for any formulation is thin and methodologically limited. The citations currently in our database do not include a completed human RCT; the grade of C reflects what our cited evidence supports. For injectable or systemic formulations, human evidence is essentially absent, and the FDA has raised specific safety concerns about compounded injectable GHK-Cu. The compound's benefit has not been established in any FDA-regulated context.

Key Takeaways

Grade C: Preliminary or limited human evidence
Not FDA approved: Not FDA-approved for any indication; FDA has flagged safety concerns specific to compounded injectable formulations.
Compounding: The nomination to add GHK-Cu to the FDA 503A or 503B bulk-substances list was withdrawn; it is not on an active FDA bulks list and is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding.

GHK-Cu chemical structure — Structure via PubChem CID 139035031

Mechanism

GHK-Cu is proposed to modulate gene expression related to tissue remodeling, antioxidant defense, and wound repair by acting as a copper carrier and interacting with cellular copper-sensing pathways.

Evidence

GHK-Cu (glycine-histidine-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex found in human plasma, with well-characterized activity in cell culture and animal wound-healing models. Human evidence for the topical cosmetic form (sold as Copper Tripeptide-1) includes small studies and some controlled trials examining wound healing and skin aging, but the overall body of human RCT evidence for any formulation is thin and methodologically limited. The citations currently in our database do not include a completed human RCT; the grade of C reflects what our cited evidence supports. For injectable or systemic formulations, human evidence is essentially absent, and the FDA has raised specific safety concerns about compounded injectable GHK-Cu. The compound's benefit has not been established in any FDA-regulated context.

Safety and risks

Topical cosmetic use of GHK-Cu has a generally favorable safety profile based on decades of consumer use and limited controlled data. The safety picture changes significantly for injectable or systemic formulations: the FDA has flagged compounded injectable GHK-Cu as carrying immunogenicity risk, and there is no systematic human safety data for injected forms. The FDA removed injectable GHK-Cu nominations from Category 2 in April 2026 and has indicated it will seek PCAC review before the end of February 2027; this regulatory uncertainty reflects unresolved safety questions rather than a cleared pathway. Copper overload from systemic administration is a theoretical concern given copper's role in oxidative processes. Users should treat injectable GHK-Cu as having limited or no human safety data and should be aware of the FDA's specific safety flagging of compounded injectable formulations.

Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies exist. Theoretical concern with other copper-modulating agents or high-dose antioxidants that affect copper redox chemistry.

Federal compounding status

Nomination withdrawn (was Category 2) as of 2026-06-02.

This substance was nominated for the FDA 503A or 503B bulk-substances list and previously sat in the Category 2 (significant safety risk) group; the nomination was later withdrawn, so it is not on an active FDA bulks list and is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding. FDA source

Federal status only, from public FDA records. State pharmacy-board rules vary and are not covered here. This is regulatory reporting, not legal advice. All compounds.

Compounding legality

The nomination to add GHK-Cu to the FDA 503A or 503B bulk-substances list was withdrawn; it is not on an active FDA bulks list and is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding.

Sources

GHK-Cu is Not FDA approved. PeptideGrids presents evidence and regulatory status for informational purposes only. We do not sell, supply, source, or help anyone obtain this compound, and we provide no dosing or administration guidance. This is not medical advice; consult a licensed clinician. Full disclaimer.

Last reviewed June 1, 2026 by PeptideGrids editorial team (independently audited).