Peptides that are licensed medicines

The approved melanotan: a tanning-hormone analogue licensed for a rare light-sensitivity disease, not for tanning.

A direct thrombin inhibitor peptide used as the anticoagulant during coronary stenting, including in heparin allergy.

A boronic-acid dipeptide that blocks the proteasome, and the drug that made multiple myeloma far more treatable.

The melanocortin peptide approved as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women — an on-demand drug, not a tanning product.

An irreversible proteasome inhibitor peptide used in relapsed multiple myeloma.

A GnRH antagonist used in fertility treatment to stop ovulation happening before egg collection.

A last-resort lipopeptide antibiotic kept for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections, at the cost of kidney toxicity.

The active first 24 amino acids of ACTH, licensed mainly as the standard test for adrenal function.

A long-acting lipoglycopeptide that treats serious skin infections with one or two doses instead of a week of infusions.

A lipopeptide antibiotic that disrupts bacterial membranes, approved for MRSA bloodstream and skin infections but not pneumonia.

A GnRH antagonist that suppresses testosterone immediately, without the initial hormone flare of agonists.

A long-acting vasopressin analogue approved for central diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and mild bleeding disorders.

A once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes, with proven cardiovascular benefit in people at high risk.

A recombinant plasma kallikrein inhibitor for acute hereditary angioedema attacks, given under medical supervision.

The first HIV fusion inhibitor, an injected peptide that blocks the virus from entering cells.

A cyclic peptide platelet blocker used during angioplasty and in acute coronary syndromes.

A GLP-1 receptor agonist derived from Gila monster saliva, approved for type 2 diabetes in twice-daily and once-weekly forms.

A synthetic polypeptide that dampens autoimmune attack in relapsing multiple sclerosis.

The pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose, licensed as emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia.

A GnRH agonist implant that suppresses ovarian or testicular hormone production for one or three months.

A bradykinin receptor blocker given under the skin to abort hereditary angioedema attacks.

A long-acting insulin analogue that provides a flat basal insulin level over roughly 24 hours.

A long-acting somatostatin analogue approved for acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

A GnRH agonist that shuts down sex-hormone production when given continuously; approved for prostate cancer, endometriosis, fibroids and early puberty.

An oral peptide that stimulates fluid secretion in the gut, approved for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

A once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management, and the first in its class shown to reduce cardiovascular events.

A once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes, often paired with basal insulin.

Recombinant IGF-1, licensed for the rare children whose growth failure comes from an IGF-1 deficiency that growth hormone cannot fix.

Recombinant human BNP, licensed in the US for acute decompensated heart failure, with neutral symptom benefit in large trials.

The first synthetic somatostatin analogue, approved for acromegaly, neuroendocrine tumours and variceal bleeding.

The labour hormone, used in every obstetric unit in the world. Its 'bonding' reputation rest on much weaker human evidence than its obstetric record.

A second-generation guanylate cyclase-C agonist peptide licensed for chronic constipation and IBS with constipation.

A synthetic amylin analogue licensed in the US as an addition to mealtime insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone: an approved diagnostic injection whose brain-related uses failed in trials.

A fish-derived hormone that slows bone breakdown, still used for Paget's disease and cancer-related high calcium. Its osteoporosis use was withdrawn in Europe over a cancer signal.

A synthetic peptide developed in Russia as an anxiolytic, registered there as a medicine. Western trial data are minimal, so claims should be read cautiously.

A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. The most thoroughly studied peptide drug in its class.

A Russian-registered synthetic peptide derived from ACTH, used as a nasal spray for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders. Western evidence is minimal.

A GLP-2 analogue that helps the remaining bowel adapt in short bowel syndrome, reducing the need for intravenous feeding.

A long-acting glycopeptide antibiotic used in Europe for serious Gram-positive infections, with once-daily dosing.

The active fragment of human parathyroid hormone, used as the main bone-building treatment for severe osteoporosis. Strong evidence, and a good example of dose timing changing a drug's entire effect.

A slow-release vasopressin analogue licensed for hepatorenal syndrome and bleeding oesophageal varices.

A stabilised growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue approved for excess visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy — and for nothing else.

A synthetic thymic peptide registered as a medicine in several countries and studied as an immune modulator in hepatitis and sepsis. Not approved in the US or EU.

A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management, with larger average weight loss than GLP-1-only agonists in trials.

A long-acting GnRH agonist approved for prostate cancer, endometriosis and puberty that starts too early.

The reference glycopeptide antibiotic for serious MRSA infections, and an oral treatment for C. difficile.

A cone-snail peptide that blocks pain-conducting calcium channels, delivered only into the spinal fluid by pump.