KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)
Sleep & Recovery · Tripeptide (alpha-MSH fragment)
Tier D
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) as D (3.3/10) based on preclinical evidence, unclear benefit magnitude, and a unclear-risk safety profile.
Small peptide with anti-inflammatory preclinical signal especially for GI and skin.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 200-500 mcg subQ daily or oral (anecdotal) — Not FDA-approved; Category 2 on 503A bulks (compounding prohibited); research peptide; PCAC voted 8-6 in favour of adding KPV to the 503A bulks list (Jul 23-24, 2026) — advisory only, not an FDA approval or a final compounding decision; not individualized guidance.
Frontier potential — editorial judgment, not evidence
This is a separate axis from the grade above. It asks a different question: if this worked in humans, how much would it matter? It is our judgment, it is not part of the composite score, and it cannot raise a grade. A high number here is a statement about the idea, not about whether it works or whether anyone should take it.
What the ceiling rests on
The C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, with consistent anti-inflammatory effects in colitis, wound-healing, and dermatitis models, and an appealing property: it retains anti-inflammatory activity without the pigmentation and cardiovascular effects of the full alpha-MSH molecule.
Why it may not get there
Essentially all of that is rodent and cell work. Human evidence is close to absent, oral stability and absorption are unresolved, and the IBD and skin uses it is sold for have no controlled human data at all.
What would change this A first controlled human trial in an inflammatory indication.
What the evidence says
Small peptide with anti-inflammatory preclinical signal especially for GI and skin. Popular in biohacker protocols for IBD, SIBO, eczema. Human evidence thin. FDA Jan 2025 compounding restriction applies. FDA briefing documents for the Jul 23-24, 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee hearing were posted ahead of the meeting: FDA's stated position is to recommend against adding this peptide to the 503A bulks list, citing poor characterization, weak human efficacy/safety evidence, and unassessed immunogenicity risk (same position taken on BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, and MOTS-c). PCAC is advisory only; no final decision yet. The FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) met Jul 23-24, 2026 and voted on seven peptides for the 503A bulk drug substances list. Committee votes are advisory: the FDA is not bound by them, adding a substance to the 503A list would follow notice-and-comment rulemaking, and inclusion would permit compounding — it would not constitute FDA approval, an efficacy finding, or a safety determination. FDA's own review staff had recommended against the four Jul 23 peptides, citing poor characterization, weak human efficacy and safety evidence, and unassessed immunogenicity; press coverage also noted committee members' financial ties to the peptide industry. The underlying human evidence base for these compounds is unchanged by the vote. On this compound the committee voted 8-6 in favour of adding KPV to the 503A bulks list.
Mechanism
C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone; anti-inflammatory activity via melanocortin receptors; suppresses NF-κB; GI-tropic when given orally
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
200-500 mcg subQ daily or oral (anecdotal)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) as Preclinical and the benefit magnitude as unclear, producing an overall grade of D (3.3/10). Small peptide with anti-inflammatory preclinical signal especially for GI and skin.
- What safety findings are reported for KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)?
- KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) has a unclear risk profile in the database. Unknown Legal status: Not FDA-approved; Category 2 on 503A bulks (compounding prohibited); research peptide; PCAC voted 8-6 in favour of adding KPV to the 503A bulks list (Jul 23-24, 2026) — advisory only, not an FDA approval or a final compounding decision.
- What doses or routes are reported for KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)?
- 200-500 mcg subQ daily or oral (anecdotal) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) work?
- C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone; anti-inflammatory activity via melanocortin receptors; suppresses NF-κB; GI-tropic when given orally
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.