BPC-157 vs TB-500
These are the two most popular recovery peptides, and people often take them together. BPC-157 is usually used for a specific injury or the gut. TB-500 is used for whole-body recovery and flexibility.
Side by side
| BPC-157 | TB-500 | BPC-157 + TB-500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Gastric pentadecapeptide | Synthetic thymosin beta-4 peptide | Two-peptide recovery blend |
| Evidence | Mostly animal studies | Mostly animal studies | Mostly animal studies |
| Typical dose | 250–500 µg | 2–2.5 mg | 500–1,000 µg of blend (250–500 µg BPC-157 + 250–500 µg TB-500) |
| How often | Once or twice a day | Twice a week | Once a day |
| Half-life | Under 30 minutes (animal data) | Not well measured for TB-500. Full-length thymosin beta-4 given by IV lasted longer at higher doses in a human study. | BPC-157: under 30 minutes (animal data). Thymosin beta-4: a few hours (limited data). |
| FDA | Not approved. FDA removed it from its Category 2 compounding risk list in April 2026. On July 23, 2026 the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8–6 to recommend adding it to the 503A bulks list. That is advice only; FDA has not made it final. | Not approved. FDA removed thymosin beta-4 fragment from its Category 2 compounding risk list in April 2026. On July 23, 2026 the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted to recommend adding it to the 503A bulks list. That is advice only; FDA has not made it final. | Not approved, alone or together. FDA has listed BPC-157 among bulk substances with safety concerns for compounding (2023). |
| Sport (WADA) | Prohibited at all times (S0, non-approved substances) since 2022. | Prohibited at all times (S2, growth factors). WADA names thymosin-β4 and its derivatives, such as TB-500. | Prohibited. BPC-157 is named under S0. Thymosin beta-4 and its pieces fall under S2. |
The differences that matter
How often
BPC-157 is dosed daily (it clears the body fast). TB-500 is dosed once or twice a week.
Evidence
Both are backed mostly by animal studies. BPC-157 has three tiny human studies; TB-500 has almost none. A 2026 rat study found the two together worked no better than either one alone.
Sport
Both are banned by WADA. Don't use either if you're drug tested.
Bottom line
For one specific injury, people usually start with BPC-157 alone. The blend is convenient, but you can't adjust the two parts separately.
Full guides
BPC-157
Gastric pentadecapeptideA lab-made piece of a stomach protein that helped rats heal, barely tested in people.
Read the guide →Mostly animal studiesTB-500
Synthetic thymosin beta-4 peptideA lab copy of part of a repair protein, popular for injuries but barely tested.
Read the guide →Mostly animal studiesBPC-157 + TB-500
Two-peptide recovery blend · BlendTwo popular healing peptides in one vial, nicknamed the Wolverine stack.
Read the guide →