GHK-Cu

Investigated uses

• No adequately documented human investigated use for the exact catalog identity/formulation was identified; any vendor-promoted goals were excluded from evidence grading.

Mechanism and hypotheses

• GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the GHK tripeptide; injectable clinical efficacy is not established.
• Hypothesized: Wound-healing, collagen and hair-related effects are derived mainly from laboratory, ex-vivo and topical literature.

Human evidence

• Human evidence is predominantly topical/cosmetic; no controlled evidence establishing systemic injectable benefit was identified. Limitations: Topical findings cannot be extrapolated to injected lyophilizate.

Safety highlights

• Topical irritation is described in cosmetic contexts; injectable incidence is unknown.
• FDA identifies immunogenicity, aggregation/impurity and route-specific safety concerns for injectable GHK-Cu.

Regulatory context

No FDA-approved injectable GHK-Cu product was identified; FDA lists injectable GHK-Cu among substances presenting significant compounding safety concerns.