Human Medicine
Prescription peptides compounded to your prescriber's order by CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy, a PCAB-accredited 503A compounding pharmacy that ships to all 50 states.
Medically reviewed by Sundeep “Sunny” Thakrar, RPhDirector of Pharmacy Operations · Last reviewed October 28, 2026
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some occur naturally in the body; others are synthetic sequences modeled on fragments of natural proteins and hormones.
Compounded peptides are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for one patient, from a patient-specific prescription. Compounding lets a prescriber choose the strength and dosage form, such as oral capsules, topical cream, nasal spray or troches, and request allergen-free formulations when needed.
Compounded peptides are not FDA approved. FDA has not evaluated them for safety, effectiveness or quality. Your prescriber decides whether a peptide is appropriate for you.
CareFirst currently compounds four peptides. Each is a single-ingredient preparation dispensed only with a valid prescription.
BPC-157 Capsules Compounded
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide of 15 amino acids. We compound BPC-157 oral capsules in 500 mcg and 1,000 mcg strengths.
KPV Capsules and Creams Compounded
KPV is a three-amino-acid peptide (lysine-proline-valine) derived from the hormone alpha-MSH. We compound KPV oral capsules in 250 mcg, 500 mcg and 1,000 mcg and KPV topical cream in 0.01% and 0.1%.
Semax Nasal Spray Compounded
Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide modeled on a fragment of the hormone ACTH. We compound Semax 0.1% nasal spray in a 10 mL bottle.
Sermorelin Compounded
Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid peptide that corresponds to the active portion of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). We compound sermorelin troches to your prescriber's specifications.
A 503A pharmacy compounds medication for individual patients under a prescription, overseen by its state board of pharmacy. That differs from peptides sold online as "research use only" (RUO), which are labeled not for human use and are not dispensed by a pharmacy or reviewed by a pharmacist.
Patient-specific prescription. Every order is compounded for a named patient from a valid prescription.
Pharmacist review. Our pharmacists review each prescription and are available to patients and prescribers.
PCAB accreditation. CareFirst is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board.
Documented sourcing. Peptide ingredients come from FDA-registered manufacturers, with a certificate of analysis for each lot.
Licensed in all 50 states. We ship compounded peptides nationwide, subject to each state's rules.
On October 28, 2026, HHS announced an interim enforcement discretion policy for 503A compounding with six peptide bulk drug substances while FDA completes formal rulemaking on the 503A bulks list. FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee had voted in favor of these six peptides in July 2026.
The policy applies only to specific routes of administration:
| Peptide | Routes covered by the interim policy | Available at CareFirst |
|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular | Oral capsules |
| KPV | Oral, topical | Oral capsules, topical cream |
| Semax | Intranasal | Nasal spray |
| TB-500 | Subcutaneous, intramuscular | Not currently offered |
| MOTS-c | Subcutaneous, intramuscular | Not currently offered |
| Epitalon | Subcutaneous, intramuscular | Not currently offered |
The policy also requires single-ingredient products, documented sourcing from FDA-registered manufacturers, and reporting of serious adverse events to FDA. It is interim and may change. It does not make these peptides FDA approved.
Sermorelin is not part of this policy. Sermorelin acetate was the active ingredient in a previously FDA-approved drug, which is the basis for compounding it in 503A pharmacies.
For background, read Recent Developments on Peptide Use & Approval.
Prescribers: see prescriber resources or call to discuss strengths and dosage forms.
Browse current compounded peptide offerings.
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide. CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy compounds BPC-157 oral capsules in 500mcg and 1000mcg strengths. You may purchase BPC-157 capsules from CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy with a valid prescription from your prescriber.
KPV is a three-amino-acid peptide (lysine-proline-valine) derived from the hormone alpha-MSH. CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy compounds KPV oral capsules in 250mcg, 500mcg and 1000mcg strengths and KPV topical cream in 0.01% and 0.1% strengths. You may purchase KPV from CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy with a valid prescription from your prescriber.
Semax is a synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide (heptapeptide) modeled on a fragment of the hormone ACTH. CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy compounds Semax 0.1% nasal spray in a 10mL bottle. You may purchase Semax nasal spray from CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy with a valid prescription from your prescriber.
Sermorelin is a 29-amino acid polypeptide that mimics a hormone in the body known as growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is usually used as a diagnostic test to evaluate the ability to secrete growth hormone, but can also treat growth hormone deficiency in children. You may buy Sermorelin from CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy with a valid prescription from your prescriber.
Yes, within limits. A 503A pharmacy may compound a peptide with a valid patient-specific prescription when the bulk substance is permitted for 503A compounding or covered by an FDA or HHS enforcement policy, and when state law allows it.
Under the October 2026 HHS interim policy, BPC-157, KPV, Semax, TB-500, MOTS-c and Epitalon may be compounded for specific routes. Peptides that are components of FDA-approved drugs, such as sermorelin, may also be compounded. CareFirst currently offers BPC-157, KPV, Semax and sermorelin.
No. Compounded drugs, including compounded peptides, are not FDA approved. FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are dispensed.
Prescription peptides compounded by a licensed pharmacy for an individual patient are legal when federal and state requirements are met. Peptides sold as "research use only" are not intended for human use.
You need a prescription from a licensed prescriber. Your prescriber sends it to CareFirst, and we compound and ship your medication. See How to Get Compounded Peptides above.
Compounded peptides are prepared by a licensed pharmacy for a named patient under a prescription, with pharmacist review. Research use only peptides are sold as laboratory chemicals, labeled not for human use, and are not dispensed by a pharmacy.
No. Under the current HHS policy, covered peptides must be compounded as single-ingredient products.
Our current peptide line is oral, topical and intranasal. Call us to ask about other dosage forms your prescriber is considering.
CareFirst is licensed to ship to all 50 states. Some states set their own rules for specific peptides; we confirm eligibility when we receive your prescription.
Our pharmacists can answer questions about strengths, dosage forms or allergen-free options. Call 844.822.7379 or contact us.
