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Comparison

KPV vs VIP

KPV is healing & repair; VIP is other. They are compared here because they are frequently considered against each other, not because they act alike.

On published evidence alone, VIP is the better documented of the two (clinical trials). That is a statement about the state of the literature, not a recommendation.

KPV VIP
Class Healing & repair Other
Evidence Animal models only Clinical trials
Human trials None published ~12
Half-life ~1-2 hours ~1-2 minutes
Reported range 200-500 mcg 50-150 mcg
Frequency 1-2x daily Up to 4x daily intranasal in research protocols
Routes Oral, Subcutaneous, Topical Intranasal, Subcutaneous
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport No No
Studied for Inflammatory bowel research, Skin inflammation, Gut barrier research Respiratory failure research, Chronic inflammatory response syndrome, Sarcoidosis research
Reported side effects Injection-site reactions, Mild gastrointestinal upset Flushing, Hypotension, Diarrhoea, Nasal irritation

KPV

KPV is the terminal three residues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It retains the parent hormone anti-inflammatory activity, apparently by entering cells and interfering with NF-κB and MAPK signalling to reduce proinflammatory cytokine production, but it does not activate melanocortin-1 receptors and therefore does not cause tanning. Most research is in inflammatory bowel models, where oral and rectal delivery have been examined.

VIP

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a member of the secretin-glucagon family, acting at VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors distributed across gut, lung, and nervous and immune tissue. It produces smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation, bronchodilation and a broadly anti-inflammatory shift in cytokine profile, and in the lung it protects alveolar type II cells. The synthetic form aviptadil was trialled in COVID-related respiratory failure with contested results, and it has not been approved for that use.

KPV vs VIP: common questions

What is the difference between KPV and VIP?

KPV is healing & repair and VIP is other, so they act on different pathways. KPV: The C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, which keeps the anti-inflammatory activity without the pigmentation effects. VIP: A 28-residue neuropeptide with broad vasodilatory and immunomodulatory activity, trialled as aviptadil in acute respiratory failure.

Which has stronger evidence, KPV or VIP?

VIP has the stronger evidence base (clinical trials, about 12 human studies) compared with KPV (animal models only).

Are KPV and VIP FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 13294447) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  3. PubChem compound record (CID 16132300) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  4. CAS Registry Number 37221-79-7 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Ichiyama T, Sato S, Okada K, et al.. The neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-MSH.Ann N Y Acad Sci 2000.PubMed 11268347 · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05386.x
  2. Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2026.PubMed 41880199 · doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17773-1
  3. Catania A, Cutuli M, Garofalo L, et al.. The neuropeptide alpha-MSH in host defense.Ann N Y Acad Sci 2000.PubMed 11268348 · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05387.x
  4. Brzoska T, Böhm M, Lügering A, et al.. Terminal signal: anti-inflammatory effects of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone related peptides beyond the pharmacophore.Adv Exp Med Biol 2010.PubMed 21222263 · doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-6354-3_8
  5. Adnan SB, Maarof M, Fauzi MB, et al.. Exploring the Role of Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review.Int J Med Sci 2025.PubMed 41209547 · doi:10.7150/ijms.118118
  6. Lipton JM, Catania A. Mechanisms of antiinflammatory action of the neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-MSH.Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998.PubMed 9629264 · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09576.x
  7. Rodrigues JM, Ferreira Leal AP, Buccini DF, et al.. Host defense peptides as a new drug lead to a strategy for inflammatory bowel disease.Drug Discov Today 2025.PubMed 41241376 · doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104535
  8. Lipton JM, Catania A, Delgado R. Peptide modulation of inflammatory processes within the brain.Neuroimmunomodulation 1998.PubMed 9730684 · doi:10.1159/000026335
  9. Fahrenkrug J. VIP and PACAP.Results Probl Cell Differ 2010.PubMed 19859678 · doi:10.1007/400_2009_24
  10. García-García F, Acosta-Peña E, Venebra-Muñoz A, et al.. Sleep-inducing factors.CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2009.PubMed 19689305 · doi:10.2174/187152709788921672
  11. Tajti J, Szok D, Majláth Z, et al.. Migraine and neuropeptides.Neuropeptides 2015.PubMed 26094101 · doi:10.1016/j.npep.2015.03.006
  12. Tervo T, Tervo K, Eränkö L. Ocular neuropeptides.Med Biol 1982.PubMed 6178909
  13. McConalogue K, Furness JB. Gastrointestinal neurotransmitters.Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994.PubMed 7907863 · doi:10.1016/s0950-351x(05)80226-5
  14. Krejs GJ. VIPoma syndrome.Am J Med 1987.PubMed 3035922 · doi:10.1016/0002-9343(87)90425-6
  15. Youssef JG, Lavin P, Schoenfeld DA, et al.. The Use of IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (Aviptadil) in Patients With Critical COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Results of a 60-Day Randomized Controlled Trial.Crit Care Med 2022.PubMed 36044317 · doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000005660
  16. Barnes PJ. Neuropeptides and asthma.Am Rev Respir Dis 1991.PubMed 1706152 · doi:10.1164/ajrccm/143.3_Pt_2.S28

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.