GHK-Cu
Also called copper tripeptide-1, prezatide copper, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex.
GHK-Cu has no FDA-approved product. This page cites 2 sources, and the strongest evidence comes from human trials.
- Status
- No FDA-approved product
- Form
- Topical
- Half-life
- Not modeled
- Strongest evidence
- Human trials
- Cited claims
- 2
- Last updated
- November 6, 2026
What the evidence says
Each claim names the kind of study behind it, what it can't tell you, and where it comes from.
Human trials
In a small randomized study after CO2 laser resurfacing, users of topical GHK-Cu products reported greater improvement in skin quality.
Limits: Only 13 patients completed the study. Blinded and computer-assisted assessments found no between-group advantage in redness resolution, wrinkles, or overall skin quality. These topical results do not establish injectable benefit or safety.
Lab studies
GHK-Cu increased collagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts.
Limits: This was a cell-culture experiment, not a patient outcome. It does not establish skin rejuvenation, wound healing, or a safe injectable regimen in humans.
Regulatory status
United States
As of November 6, 2026, no FDA-approved GHK-Cu drug was identified. FDA's May 14, 2026 list places non-injectable GHK-Cu in 503A Category 1, under evaluation. This is a compounding-policy category, not drug approval; injectable routes are excluded.
United States
FDA flags compounded injectable GHK-Cu for possible immune reactions related to aggregation and impurities, with limited human safety data. Withdrawal of its compounding nomination does not establish injection safety or approval.