Peptide therapy covers a broad spectrum — from FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs prescribed by physicians to investigational compounds studied in research settings. This guide explains what it is, how it works, and how clinical therapy differs from research use.
Defining Peptide Therapy
Peptide therapy is the clinical or research application of peptide compounds to modulate specific biological pathways. Peptides are short chains of amino acids (typically 2–50 residues) that function as signaling molecules in the body.
Peptide Therapy vs. Research Use
These two contexts are often conflated but are legally and medically distinct. FDA-approved peptide drugs are prescribed by physicians for specific indications. Research peptides are used in laboratory settings outside of clinical practice.
Peptide Therapy by Category
The fastest-growing area of peptide therapy is driven by the success of GLP-1 receptor agonists — semaglutide and tirzepatide — which have produced the most significant pharmacological weight loss ever documented in clinical trials.