What Is VIP? Uses, Benefits, Safety, FDA Status, and Evidence
Medical review note: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. VIP, also called vasoactive intestinal peptide, is not FDA-approved as a standalone therapeutic drug in the United States. Products sold online as VIP, vasoactive intestinal peptide, aviptadil, RLF-100, Zyesami, CIRS peptide, mold illness peptide, nasal VIP, injectable VIP, or “research use only” VIP may carry safety, quality, legal, and regulatory risks.
Quick answer
VIP, or vasoactive intestinal peptide, is a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide and peptide hormone. It is widely distributed in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, immune system, cardiovascular system, and reproductive system. VIP is involved in vasodilation, bronchodilation, intestinal secretion and motility, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory signaling, epithelial protection, neuroendocrine signaling, and circadian biology. Synthetic VIP is commonly called aviptadil. Aviptadil has been studied for ARDS, COVID-19 respiratory failure, pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction combinations, and inflammatory conditions, but VIP is not FDA-approved as a standalone therapeutic drug in the United States. Claims that VIP treats CIRS, mold illness, long COVID, asthma, COPD, autoimmune disease, gut disease, anti-aging, or general inflammation are not established by strong approval-level evidence.
Key facts about VIP
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is VIP? | Vasoactive intestinal peptide, a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide and peptide hormone. |
| Other names | Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, VIP, aviptadil, synthetic VIP, RLF-100, Zyesami. |
| Peptide class | Neuropeptide / peptide hormone / secretin-glucagon superfamily peptide / immunomodulatory peptide. |
| Main receptors | VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. |
| Main mechanism | Activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to influence vasodilation, bronchodilation, epithelial protection, intestinal secretion, smooth-muscle relaxation, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory signaling, and neuroendocrine function. |
| FDA-approved? | No standalone VIP or aviptadil product is FDA-approved in the United States. |
| Main studied uses | ARDS, COVID-19 respiratory failure, pulmonary disease, COPD/asthma biology, gastrointestinal disease, immune modulation, inflammation, erectile dysfunction combinations, and neuroprotection research. |
| Human evidence level | Limited and investigational outside specific non-U.S. or combination-drug contexts. Human trials exist for aviptadil in respiratory failure, but U.S. approval-level evidence is not established. |
| Animal/lab evidence level | Moderate to strong mechanistic evidence for pulmonary, immune, gastrointestinal, anti-inflammatory, and epithelial-protective effects. |
| Common online claims | “CIRS peptide,” “mold illness peptide,” “anti-inflammatory peptide,” “lung peptide,” “long COVID peptide,” “immune peptide,” “gut peptide,” “anti-aging peptide.” |
| Sports status | Not found here as specifically named on the WADA prohibited list. Because VIP/aviptadil products may be unapproved depending on jurisdiction and formulation, athletes should verify status through WADA, USADA, or Global DRO. |
| Main safety concern | Vasodilation, hypotension, flushing, dizziness, diarrhea, tachycardia, route-specific uncertainty, lack of FDA approval, and risks from unapproved compounded or online products. |
What is VIP?
VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide. It is a 28-amino-acid peptide originally identified as a gut peptide with strong vasodilatory effects.
Despite the name, VIP is not only an intestinal peptide. It is widely distributed throughout the body and acts as both a neuropeptide and a hormone-like signaling molecule.
VIP is found in or affects:
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Lungs
- Brain
- Peripheral nerves
- Immune cells
- Cardiovascular system
- Reproductive tissues
- Endocrine and neuroendocrine systems
A PMC review titled “Vasoactive intestinal peptide: a neuropeptide with pleiotropic immune functions” describes VIP as a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide/neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system.
A PMC review on VIP physiology and pathophysiology describes VIP as a gut peptide hormone first reported as a vasodilator in 1970 and involved in multiple physiological and pathological effects.
The key distinction:
VIP is a real endogenous signaling peptide, but synthetic VIP or aviptadil products are not automatically safe, approved, or clinically proven for the conditions they are marketed for online.
What is aviptadil?
Aviptadil is synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide.
In peptide markets, VIP and aviptadil are often used almost interchangeably, but the distinction matters:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| VIP | The natural endogenous peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide. |
| Aviptadil | Synthetic human VIP used in research and clinical-development contexts. |
| RLF-100 | A name used for aviptadil in respiratory-failure/COVID-19 development. |
| Zyesami | A proposed/brand name associated with aviptadil development. |
| Nasal VIP | Compounded or online route often marketed for CIRS/mold illness; not FDA-approved as a standalone U.S. drug. |
A PMC review on aviptadil in COVID-19 respiratory failure describes aviptadil as a synthetic form of vasoactive intestinal peptide.
The practical interpretation:
Aviptadil is the drug-development form of VIP, but U.S. FDA Fast Track designation, Orphan Drug designation, or clinical trial authorization is not the same as FDA approval.
How does VIP work?
VIP works mainly through two receptors:
- VPAC1
- VPAC2
These receptors are class B G-protein-coupled receptors. When activated, they influence cyclic AMP signaling and downstream cellular pathways.
VIP signaling can affect:
- Blood-vessel dilation
- Smooth-muscle relaxation
- Bronchodilation
- Intestinal secretion
- Intestinal motility
- Pancreatic and endocrine signaling
- Immune-cell activity
- Cytokine production
- Anti-inflammatory signaling
- Epithelial-cell protection
- Alveolar type II cell function
- Surfactant-related lung biology
- Neuroprotection and neuronal signaling
In plain English:
VIP is a broad calming and regulating signal across nerves, blood vessels, lungs, gut, and immune cells.
But broad mechanism is not the same as approved treatment.
Because VIP affects many systems, it can produce desirable effects in one context and risky effects in another. For example, vasodilation can be helpful in some settings, but it can also cause hypotension, flushing, dizziness, or cardiovascular stress.
What is VIP used for?
VIP is investigated for many conditions, but it is not FDA-approved as a standalone therapeutic drug in the U.S.
| Use | Evidence level | What is known | What is not known | |---|---|---| | ARDS / acute lung injury | Investigational human evidence | Aviptadil has been studied in ARDS and respiratory failure. | It is not FDA-approved in the U.S. for ARDS. | | COVID-19 respiratory failure | Mixed investigational evidence | Clinical trials studied IV and inhaled aviptadil. Some studies suggested benefit, but evidence is not approval-level. | It is not an FDA-approved COVID-19 treatment. | | COPD / asthma biology | Mechanistic / investigational | VIP has bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory lung effects in research. | It is not approved for COPD or asthma. | | CIRS / mold illness | Weak / protocol-driven claims | VIP is marketed in some CIRS/mold illness circles. | Strong controlled human evidence and FDA approval are lacking. | | Long COVID | Speculative / investigational | Pulmonary and anti-inflammatory mechanisms are relevant to hypotheses. | VIP is not approved for long COVID. | | Inflammation / autoimmune disease | Preclinical and mechanistic | VIP has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in models. | It is not approved for autoimmune disease. | | Gut disease / IBD | Mechanistic / preclinical | VIP affects intestinal secretion, motility, immune signaling, and epithelial biology. | It is not approved for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, or leaky gut. | | Erectile dysfunction | Historical / combination-drug context | Aviptadil with phentolamine has been studied for ED and used in some non-U.S. contexts. | Standalone VIP is not a U.S. FDA-approved ED drug. | | Anti-aging / longevity | Unsupported | VIP intersects with inflammation and neuroendocrine biology. | No strong evidence supports VIP as an anti-aging therapy. | | Online research-use VIP | High risk | Sold as nasal, injectable, or research peptide. | Quality, sterility, identity, dose, absorption, and legality may be unknown. |
What does the research show?
Pulmonary and ARDS evidence
VIP has attracted respiratory research because it is present in lung biology and interacts with VIP receptors on pulmonary cells.
A PMC review on inhaled VIP agonists discusses VIP’s potential role in respiratory therapeutics and notes effects on type 2 lung cells and airway biology.
A PMC 2025 review on aviptadil in ARDS describes aviptadil as a synthetic form of VIP that binds VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, including receptors relevant to alveolar type II cells.
A ClinicalTrials.gov record for intravenous aviptadil describes aviptadil as synthetic human vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and notes FDA Orphan Drug Designation for ARDS.
The practical interpretation:
VIP/aviptadil has legitimate respiratory research, but it is not an FDA-approved ARDS drug in the U.S.
COVID-19 respiratory failure evidence
Aviptadil was studied during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A PMC randomized-trial report evaluated IV aviptadil in patients with critical COVID-19 respiratory failure.
A PMC review on aviptadil and hypoxemia discusses aviptadil as a synthetic form of human VIP and reviews the proposed mechanisms for respiratory failure.
A PMC inhaled aviptadil study reported that inhaled aviptadil added to standard treatment was associated with faster recovery markers in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients.
The practical interpretation:
COVID-era aviptadil research is real, but COVID research interest does not equal FDA approval or proof that VIP treats long COVID, chronic lung disease, or general inflammation.
Immune and anti-inflammatory evidence
VIP has strong mechanistic immune relevance.
A PubMed review on VIP in the immune system describes VIP as a peptide with immune-modulating activity and discusses its possible therapeutic relevance in inflammatory and autoimmune disease.
A PubMed review on VIP in inflammation and autoimmunity discusses VIP’s role in suppressing inflammatory cytokines and affecting immune-cell signaling.
A PMC review on VIP and immune function describes VIP as having pleiotropic immune functions.
The practical interpretation:
VIP is a serious immunomodulatory peptide, but immune modulation is not the same as proven treatment for autoimmune disease, CIRS, mold illness, or chronic inflammation.
Gastrointestinal evidence
VIP was originally discovered in gut biology.
A PMC review on recent advances in VIP physiology discusses VIP’s effects on gastrointestinal function and disease.
VIP affects:
- Intestinal secretion
- Smooth-muscle relaxation
- Gut motility
- Enteric nervous system signaling
- Immune regulation in the gut
- Epithelial barrier-related pathways
The practical interpretation:
VIP is important in gut physiology, but it is not an FDA-approved gut-disease drug or leaky-gut therapy.
CIRS, mold illness, and Shoemaker-style VIP claims
VIP is often marketed online for CIRS, mold illness, or biotoxin illness.
The problem is evidence quality.
CIRS-related VIP protocols are mostly based on specialized clinical frameworks, observational claims, and practitioner experience rather than broad, replicated, randomized approval-level evidence. VIP is also tied up in FDA compounding debates and bulk-substance review history.
A FDA briefing document on vasoactive intestinal peptide for 503A compounding review reviewed VIP in the pharmacy-compounding context. FDA-related compounding documents have considered VIP for the 503A bulks list, but compounding eligibility is not the same as FDA drug approval.
The practical interpretation:
CIRS and mold-illness claims around nasal VIP should be treated as unproven. They are not the same as FDA-approved indications.
FDA and compounding status
VIP is not an FDA-approved standalone drug in the United States.
FDA has reviewed VIP in compounding/bulk-substance contexts. A Federal Register notice on bulk drug substances for compounding included vasoactive intestinal peptide among substances evaluated for the 503A bulks list and stated that substances on the list can be used for compounding under specific statutory conditions.
A FDA compounding PDF updated in 2026 lists vasoactive intestinal peptide under 503A Category 1, meaning it is under evaluation. That does not mean VIP is FDA-approved as a drug.
The key distinction:
A substance being evaluated for compounding is not the same as an FDA-approved medication.
Evidence summary
| Claim | Evidence verdict | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| “VIP is a 28-amino-acid peptide.” | Supported | VIP is widely described as a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide. |
| “VIP acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors.” | Supported | VIP receptor biology is well established. |
| “VIP has anti-inflammatory effects.” | Supported mechanistically | Reviews support immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory activity. |
| “VIP affects lung biology.” | Supported mechanistically | VIP is studied in pulmonary physiology and respiratory disease models. |
| “Aviptadil is synthetic VIP.” | Supported | Aviptadil is commonly described as synthetic human VIP. |
| “VIP is FDA-approved in the U.S.” | False as a standalone drug | No standalone VIP/aviptadil product is FDA-approved in the U.S. |
| “VIP treats ARDS.” | Investigational | Aviptadil has been studied in ARDS, but no U.S. FDA-approved indication exists. |
| “VIP treats COVID-19 or long COVID.” | Not established | Clinical research exists, but approval-level evidence is lacking. |
| “VIP treats CIRS or mold illness.” | Not established | Claims are protocol-driven and not supported by broad approval-level evidence. |
| “VIP treats COPD or asthma.” | Not established | Pulmonary mechanisms exist, but it is not approved for these conditions. |
| “VIP is safe because it is natural.” | False | Natural endogenous signaling does not prove safety when administered as a drug. |
| “Research-use VIP is clinically proven.” | False | Online products are not FDA-approved consumer therapeutic products. |
Is VIP FDA-approved?
No standalone VIP or aviptadil product is FDA-approved in the United States.
There is no FDA-approved standalone VIP product for:
- CIRS
- Mold illness
- Biotoxin illness
- Long COVID
- COVID-19
- ARDS
- COPD
- Asthma
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Autoimmune disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- IBS
- Leaky gut
- Erectile dysfunction as standalone VIP
- Anti-aging
- Longevity
- General inflammation
- General immune support
- Any broad wellness use
The key distinction:
VIP has legitimate biology and investigational drug research, but it is not a U.S. FDA-approved standalone therapeutic drug.
Is VIP legal?
VIP’s legal status depends on jurisdiction, formulation, route, prescription status, intended use, and compounding rules.
For U.S. readers:
VIP is not an FDA-approved standalone drug, and online availability does not mean it is legally marketed for human therapeutic use.
Some clinics and vendors market nasal VIP or injectable VIP for mold illness, CIRS, inflammation, lung disease, autoimmune disease, long COVID, or anti-aging. That does not make it approved or clinically proven.
The practical distinction:
| Product type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Endogenous VIP | Naturally occurring peptide produced in the body. |
| Aviptadil | Synthetic VIP used in research and drug-development contexts. |
| FDA-approved standalone VIP | Does not currently exist in the U.S. |
| Compounded VIP | Depends on compounding rules, prescription context, and regulatory status; not the same as FDA approval. |
| Research-use VIP | Not an FDA-approved consumer therapeutic product. |
| Online nasal or injectable VIP | Higher risk for identity, purity, sterility, concentration, dosing, absorption, and safety problems. |
The blunt version:
Buying “research use only” VIP online is not the same as receiving an FDA-approved prescription medication from a legitimate pharmacy.
Is VIP banned in sports?
I did not find VIP or aviptadil specifically named on the WADA prohibited list in the sources reviewed here.
However, athletes should be careful for several reasons:
- VIP/aviptadil products may be unapproved depending on jurisdiction and formulation.
- WADA’s prohibited framework can include non-approved pharmacological substances.
- Peptide products can be contaminated or mislabeled.
- Anti-doping status can change.
- Online peptide products may contain other prohibited substances.
The WADA Prohibited List and USADA prohibited-list guidance should be checked directly before use.
The practical advice:
Athletes should verify VIP or aviptadil through Global DRO, WADA, or USADA before using it and should avoid unapproved online peptide products.
Safety and side effects
VIP should not be treated as risk-free.
Possible or reported risks and side effects include:
- Flushing
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Tachycardia or palpitations
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Nasal irritation for intranasal products
- Injection-site reactions for injectable products
- Bronchial or airway effects depending on route
- Electrolyte or fluid-balance effects in susceptible patients
- Unknown long-term effects with repeated use
- Unknown safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Unknown interaction risk with blood-pressure drugs, vasodilators, erectile-dysfunction drugs, immune therapies, pulmonary drugs, psychiatric drugs, or endocrine medications
- Product-quality and sterility risks from online sources
- Mislabeling or incorrect concentration
- Contamination risk
- Endotoxin risk
The biggest safety issue is broad biology.
VIP affects blood vessels, smooth muscle, gut secretion, immune signaling, lung biology, and neuroendocrine systems. That is too broad to casually use as a wellness peptide.
VIP vs similar peptides and drugs
| Compound | Category | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| VIP | Endogenous 28-amino-acid neuropeptide | Broad vasodilatory, pulmonary, gut, immune, and neuroendocrine signaling peptide. |
| Aviptadil | Synthetic VIP | Drug-development form of VIP studied in ARDS, COVID-19 respiratory failure, and other contexts. |
| PACAP | Related neuropeptide | Similar secretin/glucagon superfamily peptide with PAC1/VPAC receptor biology. |
| Secretin | Gut peptide hormone | Related peptide family, different main physiologic role. |
| GLP-1 drugs | Incretin drugs | Metabolic drugs for diabetes/obesity; different receptor system. |
| LL-37 | Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide | Host-defense antimicrobial peptide, not a VPAC receptor peptide. |
| KPV | Alpha-MSH-derived tripeptide | Anti-inflammatory research peptide, not VIP. |
| Oxytocin | Nonapeptide hormone | Reproductive/social neuropeptide, different receptors and FDA-approved obstetric use. |
| Albuterol | Bronchodilator | FDA-approved airway drug; not a peptide. |
| Corticosteroids | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Established approved anti-inflammatory drug class, unlike VIP for most marketed claims. |
The key distinction:
VIP belongs in the vasoactive neuropeptide and immunomodulatory peptide category. It is not a GLP-1 drug, growth hormone peptide, repair peptide, antimicrobial peptide, or generic anti-aging peptide.
Why is VIP sold as “research use only”?
Some online sellers use “research use only” language to sell VIP or aviptadil outside normal drug channels.
That label is not a trust signal.
A serious reader should understand this distinction:
| Product type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Endogenous VIP | Naturally occurring human neuropeptide. |
| Laboratory VIP | Research peptide used in controlled experimental settings. |
| Clinical-trial aviptadil | Investigational synthetic VIP used under monitored research protocols. |
| FDA-approved standalone VIP | Does not currently exist in the U.S. |
| Research-use VIP | Not an FDA-approved consumer therapeutic product. |
| Online nasal or injectable VIP | Higher risk for identity, purity, sterility, concentration, dosing, and safety problems. |
| “CIRS VIP” | Protocol-based claim, not an FDA-approved indication. |
How to evaluate VIP claims online
| Claim | What to verify |
|---|---|
| “FDA-approved VIP” | False as a standalone U.S. drug claim. VIP/aviptadil is not FDA-approved as a standalone therapeutic drug in the U.S. |
| “Clinically proven for CIRS” | Not established by broad approval-level evidence. |
| “Treats mold illness” | Not established. Ask for controlled human trials and regulatory approval status. |
| “Treats long COVID” | Not established. Respiratory research does not prove long COVID benefit. |
| “Treats COPD or asthma” | Not FDA-approved for these uses. |
| “Heals the gut” | Too vague. VIP has gut physiology roles, but that does not prove treatment benefit. |
| “Immune reset peptide” | Overstated. VIP modulates immune signaling but is not a proven immune reset therapy. |
| “Safe because natural” | False. Administered VIP can affect blood pressure, gut secretion, and other systems. |
| “Nasal VIP is harmless” | False. Dose, absorption, route, long-term effects, and product quality matter. |
| “Research use only” | This does not mean safe, legal, approved, or appropriate for human use. |
| “Safe for athletes” | Verify through WADA, USADA, or Global DRO before use. |
| “Third-party tested” | Ask for batch-specific identity, purity, LC-MS, HPLC, sterility, endotoxin, microbial, and stability data. |
Bottom line
VIP, or vasoactive intestinal peptide, is a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide with real roles in vasodilation, lung biology, gut function, immune modulation, inflammation, epithelial protection, and neuroendocrine signaling. Synthetic VIP, called aviptadil, has been studied in respiratory failure, ARDS, COVID-19, pulmonary disease, and other investigational settings.
The most defensible conclusion is:
VIP is an important endogenous signaling peptide and serious research compound, not a proven consumer therapy. It is not FDA-approved as a standalone therapeutic drug in the United States, and online claims about CIRS, mold illness, long COVID, COPD, asthma, gut health, autoimmune disease, anti-aging, and general immune support often go beyond the current evidence.
FAQ
What is VIP?
VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide. It is a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide and peptide hormone involved in vasodilation, gut function, lung biology, immune modulation, and neuroendocrine signaling.
What is aviptadil?
Aviptadil is synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide. It is the drug-development form of VIP used in clinical research, especially respiratory-failure and pulmonary studies.
Is VIP FDA-approved?
No standalone VIP or aviptadil product is FDA-approved in the United States for CIRS, mold illness, ARDS, COVID-19, long COVID, COPD, asthma, gut disease, autoimmune disease, anti-aging, or general wellness.
What does VIP do?
VIP activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors and affects vasodilation, smooth-muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, intestinal secretion, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory signaling, epithelial protection, and neuroendocrine function.
Is VIP the same as aviptadil?
VIP is the endogenous peptide. Aviptadil is synthetic VIP used in research and drug-development contexts.
Does VIP treat CIRS or mold illness?
VIP is marketed in some CIRS and mold-illness protocols, but strong approval-level evidence is lacking. It is not FDA-approved for CIRS or mold illness.
Does VIP treat long COVID?
No strong evidence establishes VIP or aviptadil as a long COVID treatment. Respiratory-failure research does not prove long COVID benefit.
Does VIP help ARDS?
Aviptadil has been studied for ARDS and critical respiratory failure, but it is not FDA-approved in the United States as an ARDS treatment.
Does VIP help COPD or asthma?
VIP has pulmonary and bronchodilatory biology, but it is not FDA-approved for COPD or asthma.
Is VIP anti-inflammatory?
VIP has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in mechanistic and preclinical research. That does not prove it treats inflammatory diseases in humans.
Is VIP safe?
VIP is not risk-free. Possible concerns include flushing, low blood pressure, dizziness, tachycardia, diarrhea, nausea, nasal irritation, injection-site reactions, unknown long-term safety, and product-quality risks from online or unapproved products.
Is VIP legal?
VIP is not an FDA-approved standalone drug in the U.S. Online sales as a research peptide do not mean it is legally marketed for human therapeutic use.
Is VIP banned in sports?
I did not find VIP or aviptadil specifically named on the WADA prohibited list in the sources reviewed here. Athletes should verify current status with WADA, USADA, or Global DRO before use.
Why do sellers call VIP “research use only”?
Sellers often use “research use only” language because their VIP products are not FDA-approved consumer therapeutic products. The phrase does not make the product safe, legal, approved, or clinically proven.
What is the biggest risk with VIP?
The biggest risks are using a broad vasoactive and immune-active peptide without adequate approved-use evidence, confusing investigational aviptadil research with FDA approval, and buying online products with uncertain identity, purity, sterility, concentration, and safety.
Sources
- PMC: Vasoactive intestinal peptide, a neuropeptide with pleiotropic immune functions
- PMC: Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology
- PubMed: Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology
- PMC: VPAC receptors, structure, molecular pharmacology and interaction with ligands
- PubMed: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in the Immune System
- PubMed: Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in inflammation and autoimmunity
- PMC: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Inhaled Agonists, Potential Role in Respiratory Therapeutics
- PMC: Prospect of vasoactive intestinal peptide therapy for COPD and asthma
- PMC: The Use of IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Aviptadil, in Critical COVID-19 Respiratory Failure
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Intravenous Aviptadil for Critical COVID-19 With Respiratory Failure
- PMC: Aviptadil, a multifaceted approach to mitigating hypoxemia in ARDS
- PMC: Aviptadil in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- PMC: Inhaled Aviptadil Is a New Hope for Recovery of Lung Involvement of COVID-19
- FDA/Regulations.gov: Review of vasoactive intestinal peptide for inclusion on the 503A Bulk Drug Substances List
- Federal Register: Amendments to the List of Bulk Drug Substances That Can Be Used to Compound Drug Products
- FDA: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A
- PubMed: Aviptadil, Senatek
- WADA: Prohibited List
- USADA: WADA Prohibited List Guidance
Frequently asked questions
What is VIP?
VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide. It is a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide and peptide hormone involved in vasodilation, gut function, lung biology, immune modulation, and neuroendocrine signaling.
What is aviptadil?
Aviptadil is synthetic vasoactive intestinal peptide. It is the drug-development form of VIP used in clinical research, especially respiratory-failure and pulmonary studies.
Is VIP FDA-approved?
No standalone VIP or aviptadil product is FDA-approved in the United States for CIRS, mold illness, ARDS, COVID-19, long COVID, COPD, asthma, gut disease, autoimmune disease, anti-aging, or general wellness.
What does VIP do?
VIP activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors and affects vasodilation, smooth-muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, intestinal secretion, immune modulation, anti-inflammatory signaling, epithelial protection, and neuroendocrine function.
Is VIP the same as aviptadil?
VIP is the endogenous peptide. Aviptadil is synthetic VIP used in research and drug-development contexts.
Does VIP treat CIRS or mold illness?
VIP is marketed in some CIRS and mold-illness protocols, but strong approval-level evidence is lacking. It is not FDA-approved for CIRS or mold illness.
Does VIP treat long COVID?
No strong evidence establishes VIP or aviptadil as a long COVID treatment. Respiratory-failure research does not prove long COVID benefit.
Does VIP help ARDS?
Aviptadil has been studied for ARDS and critical respiratory failure, but it is not FDA-approved in the United States as an ARDS treatment.
Is VIP anti-inflammatory?
VIP has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in mechanistic and preclinical research. That does not prove it treats inflammatory diseases in humans.
Is VIP safe?
VIP is not risk-free. Possible concerns include flushing, low blood pressure, dizziness, tachycardia, diarrhea, nausea, nasal irritation, injection-site reactions, unknown long-term safety, and product-quality risks from online or unapproved products.
Is VIP banned in sports?
No official WADA source was found here specifically naming VIP or aviptadil as prohibited. Athletes should verify current status with WADA, USADA, or Global DRO before use.
Sources
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- [2]
- [3]
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- [18]WADA: Prohibited List
Anti Doping
- [19]USADA: WADA Prohibited List Guidance
Anti Doping
Last updated May 9, 2026