UK peptide reference
Peptides A–Z
A plain English reference to 116 compounds across 8 categories. For each one we give the UK legal status and, where there is one, the licensed alternative. We list no sellers and link to none.
Weight loss · 18
A once daily GLP-1 receptor agonist, licensed in the UK as Saxenda for weight management and Victoza for type 2 diabetes.
A GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite and slows the stomach. It holds UK marketing authorisations, so it can be prescribed and dispensed through regulated providers after a proper assessment.
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, licensed in the UK as Mounjaro. Like semaglutide it is a prescription only medicine with a legal, regulated supply chain.
Cagrilintide is an experimental weight loss drug that mimics amylin, a hormone the body releases after eating. It is in late stage trials, often paired with semaglutide as a combination called CagriSema. It holds no marketing authorisation yet.
This is the combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide, known in trials as CagriSema. It pairs an amylin analogue with a GLP-1 medicine for weight loss. The combination is investigational and holds no marketing authorisation yet.
Mazdutide is an experimental weight loss and diabetes drug that acts on two hormone receptors, GLP-1 and glucagon. It is in late stage trials, so far mainly in China. It holds no marketing authorisation yet.
Retatrutide is an experimental weight loss drug that acts on three hormone receptors at once: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. In mid stage trials it produced some of the largest average weight losses yet reported for a medicine of this kind. It is still being studied and holds no marketing authorisation anywhere.
Survodutide is an experimental weight loss and liver drug that acts on two hormone receptors, GLP-1 and glucagon. It is in late stage trials for obesity and for a fatty liver condition. It holds no marketing authorisation yet.
5-Amino-1MQ is an experimental oral compound that blocks an enzyme called NNMT, which is active in fat tissue. It is studied for obesity and metabolism, almost entirely in animals so far. It is not a peptide, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.
Adipotide is an experimental peptide that was designed to cut off the blood supply to fat tissue. It caused weight loss in animals but also kidney problems, and it has not progressed to use in people. It has no UK marketing authorisation.
AICAR is a research compound that switches on AMPK, the cell's energy sensor, and is sometimes called an exercise mimetic. Most of what is known comes from animal studies. It is not a licensed medicine in the UK, and it is banned in sport.
AOD-9604 is a small fragment of growth hormone, designed in the hope of keeping its fat burning effect without the rest of its actions. It was tested for obesity years ago without reaching the finish line, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.
This is a blended product combining AOD-9604 with the growth hormone peptides CJC-1295 and ipamorelin. None of the components is a licensed medicine in the UK, so the blend is not either. It is prohibited in sport.
L-carnitine is a natural substance the body uses to carry fats into cells to be burned for energy. It is found in food and made by the body, and it is sold as a supplement and given as an injection or drip. It is marketed for fat loss and exercise, where the evidence is modest.
MOTS-c is a small peptide that cells make from mitochondrial DNA, where it acts as a signal about the body's energy state. It is studied mainly for metabolism, insulin sensitivity and ageing. The research is at an early, mostly animal stage, and it is not a licensed medicine in the UK.
O-304 is an experimental compound that switches on AMPK, a cellular energy sensor, and is studied for metabolism and the circulation. It is at an early stage of testing. It is not a peptide, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.
SLU-PP-332 is an experimental compound studied as an exercise mimetic, something that might copy some effects of exercise on metabolism. The work is at an early, animal stage. It is not a peptide, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.
Tesofensine is an experimental oral weight loss drug that raises the activity of several brain chemicals to reduce appetite. It began as a treatment for brain conditions, where people happened to lose weight. It is not a peptide, and it has no UK marketing authorisation.
Factual reference only, not medical advice. “Research use only” labelling does not make an unlicensed product legal to sell as a medicine (MHRA). Report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.