Peptide LibraryVasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)
Also known as: Aviptadil (related drug)
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), also called Aviptadil (related drug), is an endogenous neuropeptide in the VPAC Receptor Agonist class. Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide of the secretin/glucagon superfamily, released from enteric, autonomic and central neurons. It acts at VPAC1 and VPAC2, Gs-coupled receptors whose activation raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 37221-79-7
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 3325.8 g/mol
- Half-life
- Not established (rapid enzymatic degradation; route dependent)
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- FDA compounding lists
- 503A Category 1
- Evidence level
- Clinical Trial Evidence
- Human dose established
- Yes
- Administration Route
- Intravenous infusion (trials)
- Frequency
- 12-hour infusion once daily
- Last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- Reviewed
- Nov 7, 2026
- Targets
- VPAC1VPAC2
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor counts once, at the median price per mg of its own listings; the typical range is the middle half of vendors. From public vendor listings collected between Oct 2026 and Nov 2026, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 25
- Listed offers
- 40
- Median price per mg (peptide vials)
- $7.47/mg
- Typical $5.80–$8.90/mg
By form
Each form is priced on its own: a price per mg doesn't make a spray or a capsule equivalent to a vial.
- Peptide vials24 vendors · median $7.47/mg
- Sprays, route not stated3 vendors · $6.50–$12.00/mg
Research summary
28-aa neuropeptide vasodilator and VPAC agonist. Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) has been studied in pulmonary settings but VIP itself is not an FDA-approved general-use drug.
Research evidence
- Regulatory review (FDA label)None in reviewed sources
- Controlled human trials2 reviewed sources
- Early or uncontrolled human studiesNone in reviewed sources
- Lab & animal studiesNone in reviewed sources
How it works
Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess.
Peptide Library's Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) dosage evidence
Vasoactive intestinal peptide has no approved dosage in the United States. Its human dosing comes from trials of aviptadil, synthetic VIP, in critical COVID-19: a 12-hour intravenous infusion on three days in a row, rising from 50 to 100 to 150 pmol/kg per hour (600, 1,200 and 1,800 pmol/kg a day). In the largest of these trials, TESICO (n=461), aviptadil did not improve recovery at day 90.
| Human dosing established | Yes |
|---|---|
| Route | Intravenous infusion (trials) |
| Frequency | 12-hour infusion once daily |
| Duration studied | 3 days |
| Titration | Escalating infusion rate across the three days, as set by the trial protocol. |
| Evidence level | Clinical Trial Evidence |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-07 |
Research-reported dosing
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESICO (ACTIV-3b) — aviptadil in COVID-19 respiratory failure (2023)Clinical trial · Randomised placebo-controlled trial (NCT04843761) | Hospitalised adults with COVID-19 acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (n=461 in the aviptadil comparison) | Targets of 600 pmol/kg on day 1, 1,200 pmol/kg on day 2 and 1,800 pmol/kg on day 3 | Intravenous infusion over 12 hours | Once daily | 3 days | No improvement in the day-90 recovery outcome versus placebo (odds ratio 1.11, p=0.54) | Intravenous aviptadil and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19-associated hypoxaemic respiratory failure in the USA (TESICO): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2023. |
| NCT04311697 — intravenous aviptadil for critical COVID-19, results postedClinical trial · Phase 2/3 randomised placebo-controlled trial | Adults with critical COVID-19 respiratory failure at ten US hospitals (n=196 randomised) | Escalating infusion of 50, 100 and 150 pmol/kg per hour | Intravenous infusion | Once daily | 3 days | Primary endpoint (alive and free of respiratory failure at day 60) not met | NCT04311697 — Intravenous Aviptadil for Critical COVID-19 With Respiratory Failure |
Where sources disagree
- The trial doses are weight-based infusions in picomoles under intensive-care monitoring. Subcutaneous or nasal microgram protocols published for research VIP do not come from these trials.
- Neither of the two largest intravenous trials met its primary endpoint. The earlier trial's authors reported a survival benefit in secondary analyses, which the larger TESICO trial did not confirm.
Reconstitution
Common research vial sizes: 5 mg, 10 mg.
| Vial | Bacteriostatic water | Concentration | Per 0.01 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg per 0.01 mL |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg per 0.01 mL |
These figures are arithmetic only — they convert a vial and a volume into a concentration. They are not a recommendation to take any dose.
Calculate reconstitution & dose →Handling & administration
- Reconstitution Guide
- Reconstitute per lab SOP (commonly bacteriostatic water) and handle cold chain as required
- Injection Sites
- Abdomen (subQ)Glute (IM)
- Concentration Example
- Example only: 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL = 2.5 mg/mL
- Expected Onset
- Acute vasodilatory and bronchodilatory signaling in experimental models
Sequence & molecular data
| Amino acid sequence | HSDAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN-NH2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C147H237N43O43S |
| Molecular weight | 3325.8 g/mol |
| CAS number | 37221-79-7 |
| Half-life | Not established (rapid enzymatic degradation; route dependent) |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 53314964 |
| FDA UNII | 6J2WVD66KR |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide of the secretin/glucagon superfamily, released from enteric, autonomic and central neurons. It acts at VPAC1 and VPAC2, Gs-coupled receptors whose activation raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A. The resulting effects are broad because the receptors are widely distributed: relaxation of vascular and airway smooth muscle producing vasodilation and bronchodilation, stimulation of intestinal water and electrolyte secretion, and substantial immunomodulation, where VIP shifts macrophage and T-cell responses toward an anti-inflammatory profile. It is also a circadian signalling molecule in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Its very short plasma half-life is the main obstacle to therapeutic use.
Origin
Endogenous 28-aa peptide.
Targets
Studies
- Anticipated pharmacological role of Aviptadil on COVID-19
- Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology: focus on the gastrointestinal system
- Identification and characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists with high-affinity and potent anti-leukemia activity
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Neurons Mediate Light-induced Transient Forgetting
- The role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in atropine-related inhibition of the progression of myopia
Research statistics
7,195 PubMed publications · 12.2% human clinical research · 15 registered trials
Counts of published research through 2026-11-01, not evidence that it works. Publications by year, study types and trials · How publications are counted
Regulatory & research status
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
FDA compounding status
These FDA lists track substances nominated for use in pharmacy compounding. Being on a list is not FDA approval and doesn't mean a product is safe or effective.
| 503A Category 1 | Under FDA evaluation FDA source |
|---|
FDA list dated May 14, 2026.
How FDA approval, compounding and research-only status differ
Benefits
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) side effects
The effects below are those reported in Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) clinical trials; long-term safety data may still be limited.
Side Effects
- Flushing
- Hypotension
- Diarrhea
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP): frequently asked questions
What is Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)?
28-aa neuropeptide vasodilator and VPAC agonist. Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) has been studied in pulmonary settings but VIP itself is not an FDA-approved general-use drug.
How does Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) work?
Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide of the secretin/glucagon superfamily, released from enteric, autonomic and central neurons. It acts at VPAC1 and VPAC2, Gs-coupled receptors whose activation raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A.
Is Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) FDA approved?
No. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use. FDA's compounding lists show 503A Category 1: Under FDA evaluation.
What is the half-life of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)?
Reported half-life for Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is Not established (rapid enzymatic degradation; route dependent). Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
What is the amino acid sequence of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)?
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) has the sequence HSDAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN-NH2, giving a chain of 2 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C147H237N43O43S.
What peptides are similar to Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)?
Compounds most often compared with Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) include Bonomarlot, Bronchogen, Chonluten and Glutathione. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Anticipated pharmacological role of Aviptadil on COVID-19 — Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2022External reference
- Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology: focus on the gastrointestinal system — F1000Res, 2019External reference
- Identification and characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists with high-affinity and potent anti-leukemia activity — J Biol Chem, 2026External reference
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Neurons Mediate Light-induced Transient Forgetting — Neurosci Bull, 2025External reference
- The role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in atropine-related inhibition of the progression of myopia — BMC Ophthalmol, 2024External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Nov 7, 2026 · Version 2
This Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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