GHK-Cu
- Also called
- Copper peptide, GHK copper, prezatide copper
- Category
- Tissue Research Peptides
- Length
- 3 amino acids (glycine, histidine, lysine), bound to one copper ion
- Molecular weight
- ≈ 340 Da for the GHK peptide; ≈ 402 Da with copper bound
- Supplied as
- Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a sealed vial
- Status checked
- October 2026
01What it is
GHK is one of the smallest peptides there is: three amino acids in a row (glycine, histidine, lysine). It was first identified in human blood plasma in the 1970s. GHK binds copper very tightly, and the copper-bound version is called GHK-Cu (Cu is the chemical symbol for copper). The copper is what gives the powder its blue color. It isn't an approved medicine in the US or anywhere else.
02Where it stands legally
| FDA approval | None. It isn't an approved drug for any use. |
| Compounding | Split by route. Non-injectable GHK-Cu is on FDA's "Category 1" list of substances under evaluation. Injectable GHK-Cu was taken off the "Category 2" list in April 2026 and isn't on any list, so pharmacies can't compound it as an injection. FDA plans to take GHK-Cu to its compounding advisory committee before the end of February 2027. |
| Cosmetics | Appears as an ingredient in some cosmetic products. Cosmetics are regulated separately from drugs and research chemicals. |
| Sport | Not named on the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2026 list. The list's catch-all sections can cover unnamed substances, so athletes should check with their anti-doping organization. |
| Sold here as | Research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. |
03Storage
| Sealed vial (powder) | Store sealed at room temperature, away from heat and light. |
04Quality: what a good COA shows
| Identity (mass spectrometry) | The COA should say which mass it measured: the GHK peptide near 340 Da, or the copper complex near 402 Da. |
| Copper | Look for a stated copper content or a test that confirms copper is bound. The powder should be blue. |
| Purity (HPLC) | 98% or higher, with the chromatogram shown, not just a number. |
| Lot number and date | Matches the vial you have. A COA without a lot number proves nothing. |
| Red flags | No lab name, no chromatogram, the same COA reused for every lot, a "100%" purity claim, or white powder sold as GHK-Cu. |
05Common questions
How much should I take?
We don't give dosing or usage guidance for any research peptide. GHK-Cu isn't approved as a drug for human use, so there's no established safe dose. The only person who can advise you on putting a substance in your body is a licensed clinician who knows your health.
Is it legal to buy?
In the US it can be sold for laboratory research. It can't be sold as a drug, supplement, cosmetic or treatment.
Why is it blue?
The color comes from the copper. GHK on its own is a white powder; bound to copper it turns blue.
What's the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu?
GHK is the three-amino-acid peptide. GHK-Cu is the same peptide holding a copper ion.
06Sources
- PubChem: GHK (CID 73587) and GHK-copper complex (CID 10111685), formula and molecular weight.
- FDA, Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A (category lists, updated May 14, 2026).
- World Anti-Doping Agency, Prohibited List 2026.