Research compounds
Aviptadil
Zyesami, RLF-100
Aviptadil is synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide, studied most prominently for critical COVID-19 respiratory failure. It has orphan designations but is not approved by the FDA for that or any general indication.
Also known as: Zyesami, RLF-100, synthetic VIP
- Status
- Aviptadil is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
- Half-life
- Approximately 1 to 2 minutes in circulation — VIP is degraded extremely rapidly.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous infusion or inhaled formulation in the trial setting
- Mechanism
- Other
How Aviptadil works
VIP is highly concentrated in the lung, where it binds VPAC1 receptors on alveolar type II cells. There it upregulates surfactant production, inhibits inflammatory cytokine release and blocks apoptosis of the cells that carry out gas exchange. The rationale in acute respiratory failure was to protect this specific cell population, which is also the primary target of SARS-CoV-2.
What research has looked at
- The mechanistic rationale is specific rather than generic: alveolar type II cells are both the site of highest VIP receptor density and the cell type most affected in COVID-19 pneumonia.
- Some trial and expanded-access analyses reported improvement in recovery or survival in critical COVID-19 respiratory failure.
- An inhaled formulation was investigated to deliver drug directly to the target tissue while limiting systemic vasodilation.
Evidence level: Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- The evidence remains contested. Trial results were mixed, reporting was criticised, and the FDA declined emergency use authorisation. It has not been approved for COVID-19.
- Systemic VIP is a potent vasodilator and causes hypotension, flushing and tachycardia — the reason intravenous dosing must be slow and monitored.
- Diarrhea, reflecting VIP’s normal gastrointestinal secretory role.
- Its very short half-life means intravenous administration requires continuous infusion.
- Material sold outside a trial is not a regulated pharmaceutical product; identity, purity and dose accuracy are unverified.
Sources
- PubMed research on aviptadil vasoactive intestinal peptide COVID-19 · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for aviptadil · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for aviptadil · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Aviptadil FAQ
What is Aviptadil?
Aviptadil is synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide, studied most prominently for critical COVID-19 respiratory failure. It has orphan designations but is not approved by the FDA for that or any general indication.
How does Aviptadil work?
VIP is highly concentrated in the lung, where it binds VPAC1 receptors on alveolar type II cells. There it upregulates surfactant production, inhibits inflammatory cytokine release and blocks apoptosis of the cells that carry out gas exchange. The rationale in acute respiratory failure was to protect this specific cell population, which is also the primary target of SARS-CoV-2.
Is Aviptadil FDA approved?
No. Aviptadil is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
What is the half-life of Aviptadil?
Reported half-life: Approximately 1 to 2 minutes in circulation — VIP is degraded extremely rapidly.
How is Aviptadil taken?
Intravenous infusion or inhaled formulation in the trial setting.
What side effects have been reported with Aviptadil?
Reported in the sources: The evidence remains contested. Trial results were mixed, reporting was criticised, and the FDA declined emergency use authorisation. It has not been approved for COVID-19; Systemic VIP is a potent vasodilator and causes hypotension, flushing and tachycardia — the reason intravenous dosing must be slow and monitored; Diarrhea, reflecting VIP’s normal gastrointestinal secretory role; Its very short half-life means intravenous administration requires continuous infusion; Material sold outside a trial is not a regulated pharmaceutical product; identity, purity and dose accuracy are unverified.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.