VIP peptide: where it stands with the FDA, and what it costs
No FDA-approved drug contains it. Sold mostly as a nasal spray, compounded under the FDA's Category 1 policy while the FDA decides on it.
Go to clinicLowest per monthVIP
Joi + Blokes · $159/mo
Where VIP peptide stands today
No FDA-approved drug contains vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). FDA lists it in 503A Category 1, the nominated substances it is still evaluating, where it does not intend to take action if the guidance's conditions are met (an FDA-registered manufacturer, a valid certificate of analysis and the rest of 503A). That stands even though FDA's advisory committee voted 0-8 against listing VIP in November 2016 and FDA proposed in 2019 not to list it: no final rule has followed. It is not on the 503B bulks list or in any 503B category.
For pharmacies compounding one patient's prescription (section 503A)
Category 1 (Bulk Drug Substances Under Evaluation): FDA does not intend to take action against 503A compounding with it while it is evaluated, if the guidance's conditions are met. Not on the 503A bulks list (21 CFR 216.23).
“503A Category 1 – Bulk Drug Substances Under Evaluation ... Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide”
What Category 1 means (FDA 503A page)
“FDA does not intend to take action against a compounder for compounding drugs using bulk drug substances listed in category 1, provided that the conditions described in the guidance document are met.”
FDA proposed in 2019 NOT to put VIP on the 503A bulks list; no final rule has followed, so it stays in Category 1
“(26) VIP. VIP, a 28-amino acid peptide, was evaluated for use in the treatment of a condition described as ... At its meeting on November 3, 2016, the PCAC voted not to include VIP on the list (Ref. 8). ... The proposed rule would not place VIP on the 503A Bulks List.”
21 CFR 216.23(b), the substances FDA has finally decided to leave off the 503A bulks list: four, none of the compounds in this file
“(b) After balancing the criteria set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, FDA has determined that the following bulk drug substances will not be included on the list of substances that can be used in compounding set forth in paragraph (a) of this section: (1) Oxitriptan. (2) Piracetam. (3) Silver Protein Mild. (4) Tranilast.”
For outsourcing facilities (section 503B)
Not on the 503B bulks list and not in any 503B category (FDA's 503B nominations list, updated March 21, 2025, does not name it)
“Outsourcing facilities, which operate under section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), may not compound a drug product that includes a bulk drug substance unless: The bulk drug substance appears on a list identifying bulk drug substances for which there is a clinical need (the 503B bulks list), or”
The 503B bulks list holds five substances (diphenylcyclopropenone, glycolic acid, quinacrine HCl oral, squaric acid dibutyl ester, trichloroacetic acid); none of the compounds in this file
“FDA has evaluated the following bulk drug substances and determined that there is a clinical need for outsourcing facilities to compound drug products using these bulk drug substances under section 503B of the FD&C Act:”
The FDA's compounding advisory committee
3 November 2016: Should vasoactive intestinal peptide be placed on the 503A bulks list? (use FDA reviewed: a condition described as chronic inflammatory response syndrome, CIRS). Vote: Yes 0, No 8, Abstain 0. Committee unanimously advised against listing. FDA proposed in September 2019 not to list VIP, but never finalized it, so VIP remains in 503A Category 1.
“2. FDA is proposing that vasoactive intestinal peptide NOT be included on the 503A Bulks List. Should vasoactive intestinal peptide be placed on the list? YES: 0 NO: 8 ABSTAIN: 0 Committee Discussion: The committee unanimously agreed that vasoactive intestinal peptide should not be placed on the 503A Bulks List.”
Our reading
A 503A pharmacy may compound VIP (clinics sell it mostly as a nasal spray) for a patient-specific prescription under FDA's Category 1 policy, from pharmaceutical-grade ingredient made by an FDA-registered manufacturer with a valid certificate of analysis. This is tolerance pending a rule FDA proposed against VIP, not approval, and FDA could finalize that rule. A 503B facility has no route.
Every source above was checked again on 15 November 2026.
What 5 clinics charge
- Joi + BlokesVIP$159/mo
- Better Med SpaVIP nasal spray$200for 30 days
- TestDepotVIP nasal spray (500mcg)$209/mo
What VIP peptide is
- What it is
- Neuropeptide (28 amino acids)
- How it works
- A 28-amino-acid peptide made by nerves in the gut, lungs and brain that relaxes smooth muscle and damps inflammation.
- How it is given
- Nasal spray
- Also called
- VIP, vasoactive intestinal peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
About VIP peptide
Is VIP peptide FDA-approved?
No. No FDA-approved drug contains VIP peptide. What clinics sell is compounded by a pharmacy for a prescription, and the FDA does not review compounded products before they are sold.
Is VIP peptide legal in the US?
Whether a pharmacy may compound it for your prescription is what decides it. No FDA-approved drug contains vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). FDA lists it in 503A Category 1, the nominated substances it is still evaluating, where it does not intend to take action if the guidance's conditions are met (an FDA-registered manufacturer, a valid certificate of analysis and the rest of 503A). That stands even though FDA's advisory committee voted 0-8 against listing VIP in November 2016 and FDA proposed in 2019 not to list it: no final rule has followed. It is not on the 503B bulks list or in any 503B category.
How much does VIP peptide cost?
5 clinics publish a price. The lowest that compares per month is $159/mo at Joi + Blokes, and the middle of 3 clinics' lowest monthly prices is about $200. What a month buys differs by clinic, so each price lists what it includes. every VIP peptide price
What forms does VIP peptide come in?
Clinics sell it as nasal spray (4 prices), other (1 price).