Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about peptide therapy, our platform, safety, costs, and getting started.
Getting Started
What is peptide therapy?▾
Peptide therapy uses short chains of amino acids (peptides) to trigger specific responses in your body — like increasing growth hormone release, accelerating tissue repair, or modulating your immune system. These are bioidentical or analog versions of peptides your body already produces.
Do I need a prescription?▾
Yes. Therapeutic peptides are prescription compounds in the United States. You need a consultation with a licensed physician who will review your health history, order labs, and prescribe the appropriate protocol. Our platform connects you with credentialed providers who specialize in peptide therapy.
How does the process work on SuperPumpedPeptides?▾
Start by building your protocol through our AI-powered intake. Answer questions about your symptoms and health goals. The system matches you with relevant peptides and explains the evidence. Then book a consultation with one of our licensed physicians who reviews your protocol, orders labs, and writes your prescription.
How long until I see results?▾
It depends on the peptide and your goals. Some people notice improved sleep and recovery within 1-2 weeks on GH peptides. Body composition changes typically take 8-12 weeks. Tissue healing protocols (BPC-157, TB-500) often show improvement within 2-4 weeks. Your physician will set realistic expectations during your consultation.
Can I use multiple peptides at once?▾
Yes, many protocols involve "stacking" complementary peptides. For example, CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin is a common GH stack, and BPC-157 + TB-500 is a popular recovery combination. Your physician will design a safe combination based on your specific needs and monitor for interactions.
Safety & Side Effects
Are peptides safe?▾
When prescribed by a licensed physician and sourced from a compounding pharmacy, peptides have a strong safety profile. Some peptides like PT-141 (Bremelanotide) and Tesamorelin are FDA-approved. Others have varying levels of clinical evidence. Side effects are typically mild — injection site reactions, temporary water retention, or increased appetite depending on the peptide.
What are the most common side effects?▾
The most common side effects include injection site redness or irritation, mild water retention (especially with GH peptides), increased appetite (GHRP-6, MK-677), temporary fatigue, headache, or flushing. Serious side effects are rare when peptides are used at prescribed dosages under medical supervision.
Are there people who should NOT use peptides?▾
Peptide therapy may not be appropriate for individuals with active cancer (GH-releasing peptides), pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with severe kidney or liver disease, or those with certain autoimmune conditions depending on the peptide. Your physician will review your full medical history before prescribing.
Do I need lab work?▾
Yes. Baseline labs are essential before starting any peptide protocol. They establish your starting point, identify any contraindications, and provide markers to track your progress. Follow-up labs are typically ordered 6-12 weeks into treatment. See our Lab Work Guide for details on which tests to expect.
Can peptides interact with my current medications?▾
Some peptides can interact with medications — for example, GH peptides may affect insulin sensitivity in diabetics, and some peptides interact with blood thinners or immunosuppressants. This is why a physician consultation is required. Our providers use drug interaction checking to screen your full medication list.
Protocols & Dosing
How are peptides administered?▾
The most common route is subcutaneous injection (a small needle into fatty tissue). Many peptides are also available as oral capsules, sublingual troches (dissolve under the tongue), nasal sprays, topical creams, and suppositories. Your physician will recommend the best formulation for your protocol.
How long is a typical peptide cycle?▾
Most peptide protocols run 8-12 weeks, followed by a break period. Some protocols like BPC-157 for acute injury may be shorter (4-6 weeks). Growth hormone protocols may run longer with periodic cycling. Your physician will define the cycle length and any required breaks.
Do I inject myself?▾
Yes, subcutaneous injections are self-administered at home. The needles are very small (insulin-style) and the injection is into fatty tissue, typically in the abdomen or thigh. Your physician or pharmacy will provide instructions. Most patients find it painless after the first few times.
Where do the peptides come from?▾
All prescriptions are filled by licensed 503A or 503B compounding pharmacies in the United States. These pharmacies are regulated, inspected, and required to meet strict quality and sterility standards. We do not work with overseas or unregulated sources.
How should I store my peptides?▾
Most lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides should be stored in the refrigerator once reconstituted. Unreconstituted vials can typically be stored at room temperature. Oral and topical formulations have their own storage requirements. Your pharmacy will include specific instructions with your order.
Cost & Insurance
How much does peptide therapy cost?▾
Costs vary by peptide, formulation, and protocol length. Physician consultations on our platform start at around $75-150 for async reviews and $150-300 for video consults. Peptide prescriptions from compounding pharmacies typically range from $100-400 per month depending on the compounds. See our Pricing page for current rates.
Does insurance cover peptide therapy?▾
Most insurance plans do not cover compounded peptide prescriptions, though some may cover the physician consultation portion depending on your plan. A few FDA-approved peptides (like semaglutide for weight loss or tesamorelin for lipodystrophy) may have insurance coverage pathways. We provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
Are there subscription options?▾
Yes, we offer subscription plans that bundle physician access, follow-up consultations, and protocol management at a lower monthly rate than individual appointments. This is ideal for patients on ongoing peptide protocols who need regular monitoring.
Platform & Privacy
Is my health information secure?▾
Yes. Our platform is fully HIPAA-compliant. All patient data is encrypted at rest and in transit. We use Supabase with row-level security policies, audit logging for every clinical action, and secure video infrastructure. Your health data is never sold or shared with third parties.
Can I message my doctor between appointments?▾
Yes. Our HIPAA-compliant messaging system allows you to communicate directly with your physician. You can ask follow-up questions, report side effects, or share lab results. Message response times vary by provider but are typically within 24-48 hours.
What states do your doctors practice in?▾
Our physician network includes providers licensed in multiple states. When you browse the doctor directory, you can filter by state to find providers licensed to practice in your location. Telehealth regulations vary by state, and all consultations comply with state-specific requirements.
Still Have Questions?
Build your protocol to see personalized recommendations, or talk to one of our physicians directly.