VIP

Areas of active research — not promised effects

Each tag links to other compounds with research into that goal. Research use only: these are areas of study, not human-use claims.

Related by research scope · open each to compare

VIP is not FDA-approved as a drug for any indication. It is not on the FDA 503A Bulks List that permits licensed compounding pharmacies to prepare it for individual patient dispensing. As of April 2026, VIP sits in 503A Category 1 (bulk drug substances under evaluation), where the FDA has exercised limited enforcement discretion for compounding pending formal review. This status is not equivalent to approval — it reflects ongoing regulatory assessment. VIP is available for legitimate laboratory and research purposes only under RUO frameworks. The compound's fda19 flag is false, indicating it was not subject to the specific 2019 FDA category-2 action. It is not among the seven peptides scheduled for PCAC reclassification review on July 23–24, 2026 (docket FDA-2025-N-6895).

Transparent blend · bci-1.0 · never paid-placement

Primary name

VIP

Length

170 aa

Origin

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid peptide produced endogenously from a 170-residue precursor encoded by the VIP gene (UniProt P01282). It is expressed predominantly in neurons of the gastrointestinal tract, central and peripheral nervous system, and immune effector cells. The mature 28-residue form is cleaved from the full-length precursor and shares structural homology with secretin, glucagon, and PACAP; it acts as both a neurotransmitter and circulating hormone. Research-grade VIP is typically produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis to a defined 28-aa sequence.

Registry IDs

PubChem CID

53314964

InChIKey

VBUWHHLIZKOSMS-RIWXPGAOSA-N

InChIKey

VBUWHHLIZKOSMS-RIWXPGAOSA-N

Appearance

White to off-white lyophilized powder

Solubility

Freely soluble in water and aqueous buffers; aqueous solubility typically report…

Sequence · one-letter

Stability: VIP is susceptible to rapid proteolytic degradation in biological matrices (neutral endopeptidase, chymase, tryptase). As a lyophilized powder it is comparative

Vial sizes

1 mg · 5 mg

Purity grades

≥98% HPLC

Salt forms

Free base (primary)

• GHS hazard class on file
• PPE & spill response
• Disposal guidance
• Not-for-human-consumption posture

How much research exists, and of what maturity — never a verdict on whether it works.

Mechanism of action

• VIP binds with nanomolar affinity to two class B G-protein-coupled receptors — VPAC1 (widely expressed in CNS, immune cells, lung, liver, and intestinal epithelium) and VPAC2 (enriched in smooth muscle, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and pancreatic beta cells) — triggering adenylyl cyclase activation, intracellular cyclic AMP elevation, and downstream protein kinase A (PKA) signaling
• PKA-mediated phosphorylation of CREB and related transcription factors underlies VIP's pleiotropic effects: smooth muscle relaxation, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12) and enhancement of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10), and synchronization of circadian rhythms via the suprachiasmatic nucleus
• In immune regulation, VIP biases T helper cell differentiation toward a Th2/regulatory phenotype, dampens TLR-mediated NF-κB signaling in macrophages and monocytes, and promotes the generation and function of regulatory T cells
• Pulmonary research highlights potent bronchodilatory and mucosal anti-secretory effects via VPAC2 engagement in airway smooth muscle

Pharmacokinetics (ADME)

Half-life

Approximately 1–2 minutes in plasma; disappearance half-time after infusion cessation measured at ~1 minute in healthy human volunteers (PMID 730072)

Clearance

Apparent metabolic clearance rate approximately 9 ml/kg/min; apparent volume of distribution approximately 14 ml/kg (PMID 730072). Hepatic clearance contributes significantly; complete at low concentrations but saturable at higher concentrations

PK–PD note: The extremely short plasma half-life reflects rapid proteolytic degradation by neutral endopeptidase and mast cell enzymes. Pharmacodynamic effects in target tissues may extend beyond the plasma half-…

Reading the evidence

• Evidence quality and gaps vary by application — see the cited grades above.
• Indexed-article counts span all evidence tiers, not only completed human trials.
• No first-party human-dosing, efficacy, or benefit claims are made here.

Key reviews & evidence-gap sources

• Iwasaki M, Akiba Y, Kaunitz JD. Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology: focus on the gastrointestinal system. F1000Res. 2019;8:1629. — F1000 Faculty Review; anchoring recent-advances review (PMID 31559013).
• Mechanisms involved in VPAC receptors activation and regulation. Front Endocrinol. 2012. — Mechanistic review of VPAC1/VPAC2 activation, G-protein coupling, signaling, regulation.
• Structure-activity relationship of VIP: potent agonists and potential clinical applications. Curr Top Med Chem. 2006;6(2):151-63. — SAR review of VIP agonists/antagonists and drug delivery.
• Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhaled agonists: potential role in respiratory therapeutics. 2013. — Review of inhaled VIP agonists including clinical trials in respiratory disease.

5 registered trials — 1 currently recruiting.

—
NCT00557908
The Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) International Prophylaxis Study

COMPLETED

Phase 2
NCT03795428
Long-Term, Open Label Extension Study of Pemziviptadil (PB1046) in PAH Subjects Following Completion of Study PB1046-PT-CL-0004

TERMINATED

Phase 1
NCT06034275
Study of VIP943 in Subjects With Advanced CD123+ Hematologic Malignancies

RECRUITING

NA
NCT05958914
Neuropeptide Expression During the Ovarian Cycle and in Patients With PCOS

UNKNOWN

—
NCT01989299
Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Detection by Implantable Loop Recording in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

COMPLETED

Summary (literature)

The primary safety data for exogenous VIP administration in humans derives from infusion and inhaled delivery studies and is characterized by rapid, dose-dependent hemodynamic effects. Facial flushing, tachycardia, and transient hypotension are the most consistently reported adve…

WADA status

Not specifically listed by name on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. As a naturally occurring peptide hormone that influences vasodilation and immune function, VIP…

Dominant research route: Intravenous (human PK characterization) and inhaled/nebulized (dominant clinical-trial route for pulmonary indications including PAH and COVID-19 ARDS)

Graded IV infusion (0.6, 1.3, 3.3 pmol/kg/min over 30 min) in 4 healthy human volunteers; plasma VIP measured by RIA; also Phase I IV aviptadil in 8 ARDS patients and a 60-day Phase 2b/3 IV RCT (NCT04311697)

Bioavailability: After cessation of IV infusion, plasma VIP fell by first-order kinetics with an average disappearance half-time of ~1 minute; apparent metabolic clearance rate ~9 mL/kg/min; apparent volume of distribution ~14 mL/kg

IV is the most pharmacokinetically characterized route in humans; very short plasma half-life (~1–2 min) due to rapid proteolysis by DPP-IV and neutral endopeptidase. Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation for ARDS and Pulmonary Hypertension and FDA Fast Track Designation for ARDS/Acute Lung Injury in COVID-19.

Brain delivery of intranasal VIP studied in rats (in situ nasal perfusion; formulation effects of pH, lauroylcarnitine, osmolality); pharmacodynamics and toxicity of VIP nasal spray evaluated in mice (intracerebroventricular Abeta25-35 model)

Bioavailability: VIP stability in rat nasal wash solutions was evaluated prior to brain-uptake studies; brain uptake demonstrated after intranasal administration with absorption enhancers (lauroylcarnitine)

Intranasal route investigated primarily for nose-to-brain delivery in rodent models of neurodegeneration; no human PK data from these studies. Community/anecdotal intranasal use in CIRS protocols exists (Layer B) but is not supported by controlled human PK trials.

Phase II RCT of inhaled VIP (aviptadil) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (8 patients, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover); nebulized aviptadil 100 μg 3x daily Phase 2/3 RCT in severe COVID-19 (NCT04360096, terminated for sponsor decision)

Bioavailability: Inhaled delivery concentrates VIP in the lung (~70% lung concentration in nonclinical studies) and extends effective local half-life in the pulmonary compartment by limiting systemic circulation and degradation

Inhalation is the dominant clinical-research route for pulmonary indications (PAH, ARDS, COVID-19). Note: 'IN' abbrev used here as closest available category for inhalation; strictly this represents nebulized/inhaled delivery rather than intranasal. NCT04360096 was terminated by sponsor decision; primary outcome was COVID-19 severity progression over 28 days.

Subcutaneous injections used in preclinical mouse studies of VIP-related peptide analogs (e.g., daily SC dosing of ANT308-6xHis in leukemia models); no dedicated human SC PK study identified

Bioavailability: No human SC bioavailability data located; SC administration described in secondary/aggregator sources as providing more predictable pharmacokinetics than intranasal, but this is not supported by primary human PK data

SC route appears in compounding/community contexts (Layer B) and in preclinical analog studies; no controlled human SC pharmacokinetic study was identified in the retrieved literature.

No primary human or animal IM pharmacokinetic study identified; aggregator sources state IM VIP produces measurable receptor activation for ~8–12 minutes

Bioavailability: No primary PK data; secondary source claims IM receptor activation window of ~8–12 min before degradation products dominate

IM route is referenced only in non-primary/aggregator sources; no retrieved peer-reviewed IM pharmacokinetic study. Treated as Layer B anecdotal.

No oral VIP bioavailability study identified; oral peptide delivery generally precluded by gastrointestinal proteolysis and poor permeation

Bioavailability: Oral VIP is not viable due to peptide degradation in the gastrointestinal tract; no oral bioavailability data exist for VIP

Oral stability (not absorption): as a 28-amino-acid peptide, VIP is subject to gastric/intestinal proteolysis and is not orally stable; no oral formulation has been studied. This is a stability statement, not an absorption claim.

Animal & human figures are kept visibly separate so studied animal doses are never misread as human guidance.

Sorted A–Z by vendor — never by price

Weekly median $/mg from the live vendor crawl.

Researched storefront prices, bucketed

p25 $7.15 · median $9.80 · p75 $13.41 · 7 researched vendors

Legit, COA-backed band: $5.50–$7.40/mg.

Value rule: don't just buy the cheapest — a price under $3/mg is a red flag. Pair price with COA and independent-test grade.

Estimated cost of research (10 mg)

Vial (best researched price)

$55

Bacteriostatic water (generic estimate)

$6

Syringes / supplies (generic estimate)

$12

What each test proves — general guidance, plus this compound's researched purity data

Purity on the current market (researched)

Vendor COAs for research-grade VIP commonly claim ≥99% purity by HPLC (e.g., Apex Laboratory lists VIP at ≥99% purity with HPLC chromatograms and mass spectrometry data). Independent third-party verification of VIP-specific batches was not publicly retrievable from Janoshik's public test database at time of research.

Independent labs cited for this compound

No FDA recalls or market withdrawals specific to VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) were found in the FDA recall database or warning letter archive. VIP is not an FDA-approved drug product, so it does not appear in conventional drug recall channels; quality issues would more likely surface as warning letters or import detentions against unapproved peptide vendors.

Buyer red-flag checklist

• VIP is not FDA-approved for any indication; no approved drug applications under section 505 of the FD&C Act are in effect for VIP.
• FDA proposed NOT to include VIP on the 503A Bulks List in both 2016 (PCAC) and 2019 (proposed rule), indicating historical agency concern about compounded VIP use.
• Compounded VIP nasal spray 'has not been evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy by the FDA and has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of any disease or medical condition' (per vendor informed-consent language).
• Unapproved peptide drug products sold online 'may be contaminated, counterfeit, contain varying amounts of active ingredients, or contain different ingredients altogether' (FDA Warning Letter 696885).
• HPLC purity does not equal peptide content: non-UV-active fillers (e.g., mannitol) can inflate purity readings while actual dosing is lower than labeled.
• The widely cited '10,000+ patients' real-world use figure originates from advocacy/practice-community materials (SurvivingMold), not a published multicenter registry.
• Most published VIP clinical evidence in CIRS comes from a single clinical ecosystem (Shoemaker network) with small, non-randomized designs.

GMP vs research-grade: the chemistry (SPPS + HPLC + MS) is identical — the difference is the quality system.

Underdosing / mislabeling: No publicly available independent lab test aggregates (Janoshik public reports, MZ Biolabs, Finnrick) specifically quantifying VIP underdosing prevalence were retrievable. General peptide-market risk factors apply: HPLC purity measures only UV-detectable compounds, so samples can show high purity yet be underdosed due to non-UV-active fillers (e.g., mannitol), meaning peptide content (actual mg) can diverge from labeled amount.

• Import Alert 66-41 — 'Detention Without Physical Examination of Unapproved New Drugs Promoted In The U.S.' VIP is not FDA-approved for any indication; peptide products sold with disease-treatment or structure/function claims (including those disclaimed as 'research use only') can be classified as unapproved new drugs and detained without physical examination under this alert. VIP is not specifically named on the Red List, but the alert's scope encompasses unapproved new drug products promoted in the U.S.66-41
• An RUO label is not an import exemption — CBP judges actual intended use.
• Lyophilized powder is ambient-stable in transit; temperature control needed for > 7-day transit.
• US-warehouse vendors dodge import scrutiny — they cost more but ship more reliably.

Every item dated & sourced

Not listed on the WADA Prohibited List; VIP/aviptadil is not prohibited in sport (per secondary aggregator; not independently verified on the primary WADA list).

No granted patents identified in current seed. Composition-of-matter coverage is limited given the peptide's synthetic origin.

• IACUC / IRB research context
• RUO buyer responsibilities & documentation
• Veterinary / alternative-use where lawful
• Jurisdiction-aware "who may lawfully obtain"

What people discuss

Reported concerns — discussion, not established effects

Reading caveats

• CIRS/mold-illness community overrepresentation (self-selected chronic-illness population)
• Small self-report sample sizes in aggregator data
• Vendor-affiliated pharmacy blogs presenting benefit narratives
• Survivorship bias in positive CIRS recovery reports
• Negative skew from side-effect check-in logging mechanics

Manually researched from reddit, youtube— theme weights are research estimates, not live counts; aggregated & de-identified. No individual posts, quotes, or usernames are ever shown.

Relative research / market volume — populated once the activity stream is wired

Inline tooltips for lyophilized, RUO, EU/mg, SPPS, 503A and more.

Toggle plain-language ↔ scientific in the header.

• How to read a COA
• Free base vs acetate
• Understanding evidence grades

Endogenous 28-amino-acid neuropeptide with broad vasodilatory, bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroregulatory roles; under evaluation for compounding under FDA 503A Category 1. Approximately 41,998 articles are indexed (literature last scanned 2026-05-29). US regulatory status: RUO; 503A Category 1 — Under Evaluation; not on approved bulks list. Research use only.

Emitted as JSON-LD: ChemicalSubstance · BreadcrumbList · FAQPage.

• Price-drop & back-in-stock alerts
• Regulatory-change email digest
• Print / share this datasheet