In mouse studies, it calmed inflammation in the gut.
How people take it
People report 200–500 µg once a day by injection under the skin.
Know this
It has never been tested in people, so the right dose and its safety are unknown.
What it is
KPV is a tiny peptide, just three amino acids long. It's the tail end of alpha-MSH, a natural hormone that helps control inflammation and skin color. KPV keeps the anti-inflammation part without the tanning effect.
How it works
In cell and mouse studies, KPV gets inside gut and immune cells through a small doorway built for tiny peptides. Once inside, it turns down a main switch for inflammation. That means fewer inflammation signals in the gut lining.
What people use it for
Gut inflammation, like colitis or IBD symptoms
Skin inflammation
General inflammation
The evidence
Mostly animal studies
All the evidence is from cells and mice: in mice with colitis, KPV by mouth or in drinking water cut inflammation and weight loss. The FDA's own safety notes say there's no human data at all. Whether it helps people, and what dose is safe, is unknown.
Why: This is the range most often reported in clinic and community use. It has never been tested in a human trial.
Oral (gut-focused)
Reported
Dose
200–500 µg
How often
Once or twice a day
When
On an empty stomach
Cycle
4–8 weeks
Route
By mouth (capsule)
Why: Mouse studies gave KPV by mouth because the gut lining can absorb it directly, so people use pills for gut problems. Nobody knows how well people absorb it.
Start at the low end, and change one thing at a time. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with a doctor first.
We may earn a commission from these links. Counts include one syringe and two swabs per dose.
Stay safe
Side effects
Redness or irritation where you inject
Mild upset stomach when taken by mouth (user reports)
Unknown, since no human safety studies exist
Skip it if
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Under 18
An active IBD flare without a doctor involved (don't swap it for proven treatment)
Athletes tested under WADA anti-doping rules
Interactions
No human interaction studies exist
Tell your doctor if you take immune-suppressing drugs for IBD or anything else
Get help right away for swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, chest pain, or a spreading, hot, red injection site.
Storage & legal
Storage
Powder: fridge or freezer, out of the light. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water: fridge, and use within about 4 weeks.
Legal status
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 to recommend adding it to the 503A bulks list. That is advice only; FDA has not made it final.
Sport (WADA): Not named on the list, but as a substance with no approval for human use it falls under S0 (non-approved substances), which is prohibited at all times.
Kannengiesser K, et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008;14(3):324-31. PubMed 18092346
Xiao B, et al. Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis. Mol Ther. 2017;25(7):1628-1640. PubMed 28143741
Brzoska T, et al. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Endocr Rev. 2008;29(5):581-602. PubMed 18612139
FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (updated April 22, 2026). Source