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Immune
A 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that relaxes blood vessels and calms inflammation.
Immune
A three-amino-acid anti-inflammatory fragment of α-MSH.
VIP is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; KPV is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5. VIP has more human evidence behind it. KPV is banned in sport by WADA; VIP is not. Both are used for immune goals.
| Compare | VIP A 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that relaxes blood vessels and calms inflammation. | KPV A three-amino-acid anti-inflammatory fragment of α-MSH. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Immune | Immune |
| Evidence | 3/5Real human data (ED approval in the UK, small lung studies, a large COVID RCT that failed). CIRS nasal use is small open-label work only. | 2/5Cell and mouse colitis studies (e.g. Dalmasso 2008, Gastroenterology). No published human trials. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Not on the Prohibited List | Banned |
| Also known as | Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Aviptadil, Zyesami | Lys-Pro-Val, α-MSH (11–13) |
| How it works | Binds VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. That relaxes smooth muscle in vessels and airways, reduces inflammatory cytokines and shifts immune cells toward a calmer profile. It breaks down within minutes in the blood. | Gets into gut-lining and immune cells through the PepT1 transporter and dampens the NF-κB and MAP-kinase inflammation pathways. Unlike full α-MSH, its anti-inflammatory effect in gut cells does not appear to run through melanocortin receptors, so it is not a tanning peptide. |
| Half-life | About 2 minutes in blood | Not characterized in humans |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Intranasal (spray) | Subcutaneous |
| Good once mixed | ~14 days in the fridge | ~28 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $3.00 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $2.40 (10 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.90% (lot VIP0002) | 99.36% (lot KPV0002) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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VIP is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; KPV is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5. VIP has more human evidence behind it. KPV is banned in sport by WADA; VIP is not. Both are used for immune goals.
VIP: Not FDA-approved. KPV: Not FDA-approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
VIP is rated 3 out of 5: Real human data (ED approval in the UK, small lung studies, a large COVID RCT that failed). CIRS nasal use is small open-label work only. KPV is rated 2 out of 5: Cell and mouse colitis studies (e.g. Dalmasso 2008, Gastroenterology). No published human trials. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
VIP is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply. KPV is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class.