Last reviewed November 6, 2026.
Why "peptides" is confusing
"Peptides" is everywhere right now. On social media and online stores, the word covers everything from FDA-approved prescription medicines to unapproved products sold in vials marked "research only." Those are very different things. This page sorts them out.
What a peptide is
A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, the same building blocks that make up proteins. Your body makes many peptides naturally, including hormones such as insulin and GLP-1. Some medicines are peptides made to act like, or build on, those natural hormones.
"Peptide" describes what a substance is made of. It says nothing about whether it is approved, lawful, or right for you.
GLP-1 medicines are peptides
Semaglutide (in Wegovy, the Wegovy pill and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (in Zepbound and Mounjaro) are peptide medicines. They have been studied in large clinical trials and reviewed by the FDA for the uses on their labels.
Wegovy, the Wegovy pill and Zepbound are approved for chronic weight management. Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss, and any use of them for weight loss is an off-label decision Dr. Conkright makes patient by patient.
Not every medicine in this group is a peptide. Foundayo (orforglipron), an FDA-approved daily pill for weight management, is a small-molecule medicine, not a peptide, though it acts on the same GLP-1 receptor.
So if you are looking for a "peptide for weight loss," the FDA-approved GLP-1 medicines are the ones with an approved use and an FDA label behind them.
What people usually mean by "research peptides"
Online, "peptides" often means a different group of substances, such as BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c. Some websites promote them for a range of uses.
The FDA has said it has limited or no safety information on these substances for use in people.
Where research peptides stand
They are not on the FDA's list of substances pharmacies may use to compound medicines. Several were nominated for that list, and the nominations were later withdrawn. An FDA advisory committee discussed several of them in July 2026. As of this writing, the FDA has not added them to that list.
Rules in this area can change. We follow what the law allows, not what is trending, and we will update this page if the status changes.
Our position
Our practice does not offer research peptides, including BPC-157, TB-500 or MOTS-c. We do not sell them, prescribe them or refer anyone to buy them.
If you are using one now, tell Dr. Conkright at your visit. Bring the label. He will not judge you. He will help you think through your options.
What we do offer is physician-led medical weight loss with FDA-approved medicines, as pills and injections, prescribed by Dr. Conkright after he meets you in person. Dr. Conkright prescribes FDA-approved medications or medications prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy, chosen for each patient at the visit. Compounded medicine is used only for a small number of patients with a specific medical need. It is not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review it for safety, effectiveness or quality before it is dispensed. Read more on our compounded vs. brand-name page.
What you can do now
- Read about semaglutide, tirzepatide and weight loss pills.
- See what it costs.
- Learn how to start.
- Curious about newer medicines in development? See our retatrutide page.
Every patient starts with an in-person visit, a health screen, and Dr. Conkright's judgment. He sees every patient himself.
Questions
Is semaglutide a peptide?
Yes. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are peptide medicines. FDA-approved versions are available by prescription.
Do you offer BPC-157, TB-500 or MOTS-c?
No. They are not on the FDA's list of substances pharmacies may use to compound medicines.
Are research peptides legal to buy?
They are not on the FDA's list of substances pharmacies may use to compound medicines. We advise against using products labeled "research use only."
Did the FDA approve any of these peptides in 2026?
No. An FDA advisory committee discussed several of them in July 2026. As of this writing, the FDA has not added them to its list of substances pharmacies may use to compound medicines.
What is the best peptide for weight loss?
The medicines with an FDA-approved weight-management use include Wegovy, the Wegovy pill and Zepbound. Which one, if any, is right for you is Dr. Conkright's decision at your visit.
I already use peptides. Can I still come in?
Yes. Tell Dr. Conkright what you use and bring the label. He will review it with you.