--- title: "Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)" canonical_url: https://bestpeptidecalculator.app/library/vip description: "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." updated: 2026-11-07 publisher: Peptide Library notice: "Research and educational use only. Not medical advice." --- # Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) 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. 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. Also known as: Aviptadil (related drug). Categories: Fat Loss, GLP-1/Metabolic, Experimental. ## Classification - Type: Endogenous neuropeptide / research - Mechanism class: VPAC Receptor Agonist - Development stage: Research only - Regulatory class: Research compound, not FDA-approved ## Mechanism 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. Targets: VPAC1, VPAC2. Origin: Endogenous 28-aa peptide. ## Properties - Sequence: HSDAVFTDNYTRLRKQMAVKKYLNSILN-NH2 - Molecular formula: C147H237N43O43S - Molecular weight: 3,325.8 g/mol - CAS number: 37221-79-7 - Half-life: Not established (rapid enzymatic degradation; route dependent) - Studied routes: Intravenous ## Evidence - Evidence level: Clinical Trial Evidence - Highest documented: Controlled human trials - Human trials: 2 - Controlled human trials: 2 - Preclinical sources: 0 - Latest source: 2023 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. ### Studies 1. 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. 2023. Controlled human trial. Population: Hospitalised adults with COVID-19 acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (n=461 in the aviptadil comparison). No improvement in the day-90 recovery outcome versus placebo (odds ratio 1.11, p=0.54) [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37348524/) 2. NCT04311697 — Intravenous Aviptadil for Critical COVID-19 With Respiratory Failure. Controlled human trial. Population: Adults with critical COVID-19 respiratory failure at ten US hospitals (n=196 randomised). Primary endpoint (alive and free of respiratory failure at day 60) not met [Source](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04311697) ### Registered trials - [NCT04311697](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04311697) ## Safety Side effects: Flushing; Hypotension; Diarrhea. Risks: Verify WADA status for sport; Not a licensed research-vasodilator. Human safety basis: Clinical trial reports Key limitations: Not approved by the FDA for any use.. ## Regulatory 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 ## 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, 2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34846667/) - [Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology: focus on the gastrointestinal system — F1000Res, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31559013/) - [Identification and characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonists with high-affinity and potent anti-leukemia activity — J Biol Chem, 2026](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41478571/) - [Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Neurons Mediate Light-induced Transient Forgetting — Neurosci Bull, 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40670769/) - [The role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in atropine-related inhibition of the progression of myopia — BMC Ophthalmol, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38279089/)