What it is

KPV is the tripeptide lysine-proline-valine, the C-terminal residues 11–13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a hormone with known anti-inflammatory effects [2]. It is studied because the “effective message sequence” of alpha-MSH for anti-inflammatory and repair activity is thought to reside in this three-amino-acid fragment [5]. Unlike the full hormone, KPV does not raise cyclic AMP in keratinocytes and appears not to act through the melanocortin receptors that drive pigmentation [3][4]. These ingredients are not part of a USP/NF monograph or an approved drug product, and FDA has said it has not identified any human exposure data for KPV by any route [9][13]. In July 2026 FDA’s compounding advisory committee reviewed KPV (free base) and KPV acetate for “wound healing and inflammatory conditions” [7].

How it works

In human intestinal epithelial cells and T cells, nanomolar concentrations of KPV inhibited activation of NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signaling and reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines [1]. The same study showed KPV is carried into cells by PepT1, a di/tripeptide transporter normally found in the small intestine and induced in the colon during inflammatory bowel disease [1]. In mouse peritonitis models KPV reduced neutrophil accumulation, but its effect was not blocked by an MC3/4 receptor antagonist, did not raise cAMP, and persisted in mice lacking a functional MC1 receptor, so the authors proposed it acts by interfering with interleukin-1beta signaling rather than through melanocortin receptors [3]. In keratinocytes KPV triggered rapid calcium signals without any cAMP rise [4]. These are cell and animal findings; FDA has identified no human exposure data by any route [13].

What the evidence shows

Oral KPV in drinking water reduced the incidence of DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis in mice, with lower pro-inflammatory cytokine expression [1]. In DSS colitis and CD45RB(hi) transfer colitis, KPV-treated mice recovered earlier, regained more body weight, and had less colonic inflammation and myeloperoxidase activity; in mice with a nonfunctional MC1 receptor, KPV rescued all treated animals from death [2]. Topical KPV drops sped corneal epithelial wound closure in rabbits, with all eight KPV-treated corneas re-epithelized at 60 hours versus none on vehicle [5]. A single administration after experimental traumatic brain injury in mice attenuated brain damage, with reduced inflammation and apoptosis [6]. FDA’s own briefing document for the July 2026 meeting proposed that neither KPV (free base) nor KPV acetate be added to the 503A bulks list [8]. FDA states it has not identified any human exposure data on KPV drug products by any route, so there is no human efficacy evidence to report [13].

Regulatory status

Not an FDA-approved drug. On Jul 23–24 2026 the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted to recommend adding it to the 503A bulk drug substances list; FDA has not finalized that listing (as of Sep 24 2026) [7][9]. The vote on KPV, for wound treatment and inflammatory conditions, was 8–6 with one abstention [9][11]. Committee votes are recommendations; FDA decides, and it must complete notice-and-comment rulemaking before any formal listing, which could be 2027 or later [10][11]. Listing on the bulks list would not be FDA approval [11]. Background: in September 2023 FDA placed KPV in 503A Category 2 (“significant safety risks”); on Apr 15 2026 FDA gave notice it would remove KPV and 11 other peptides from Category 2 because the nominations were withdrawn, and that removal did not put them in Category 1 or on the bulks list [12]. FDA has said it lacks important information on whether KPV would cause harm in humans [13].

Half-life and what it means for a level curve

STACK has no reference half-life for this compound because no human value has been published; you can enter your own estimate. FDA states it has not identified any human exposure data for KPV by any route of administration, so there is no human pharmacokinetic study to draw from [13]. The animal studies measured inflammation outcomes, not blood concentrations, and the transporter work describes cellular uptake kinetics rather than an elimination half-life [1]. If you enter an estimate, the curve will fall by half every one half-life and reach ~97% of steady state after about 5 half-lives with regular dosing; that is arithmetic, not evidence about KPV. STACK’s curve is an estimate from this published half-life, not a blood level. Treat any KPV curve as a timing aid for when doses were logged, not as pharmacology, and tell your prescriber if you are relying on it.

Reported side effects

There is very little human safety data. FDA wrote that it “has not identified any human exposure data on drug products containing KPV administered via any route of administration” and that it “lacks important information regarding any safety issues raised by KPV, including whether it would cause harm if administered to humans” [13]. In September 2023 FDA placed KPV in Category 2, the group of nominated substances it considers to raise significant safety risks [12]. In the mouse colitis studies no toxicity was reported, but those studies were designed to measure inflammation, not to detect adverse effects, and used oral or injected dosing in animals [1][2]. For several other peptides on the same FDA list, the agency cites immunogenicity, peptide-related impurities and characterization concerns [13]. If you use a compounded KPV product, report anything unexpected to your prescriber, who can file a MedWatch report.

Storage and handling

There is no FDA-approved KPV product and no USP/NF monograph, so there is no FDA label with storage instructions [9]. The compounding pharmacy’s label governs: follow its directions on refrigeration, protecting the vial from light, and the discard date after first puncture. If your product is a lyophilized powder, the STACK reconstitution calculator does the volume math from the vial strength and diluent you enter; it does not suggest a dose. Do not freeze a reconstituted vial unless the pharmacy says so, and do not use a vial that looks cloudy or has particles. Oral capsules and topical creams, if that is what you were prescribed, follow the same rule: the pharmacy’s label is the only storage guidance that applies. Ask the pharmacist, not a forum, when in doubt.

What STACK tracks for it

STACK logs each KPV dose exactly as your prescriber wrote it, in mg or mcg, along with the route (injection, oral capsule or topical) and, for injections, the site. Because there is no published half-life, the estimated level curve stays off until you enter your own estimate, and STACK labels it as your estimate. You can track the symptom your prescriber is targeting, for example a daily gut or skin score, alongside side effects and any injection-site reactions. STACK keeps vial or capsule inventory so you know when a refill is due, and records the schedule your prescriber gave you. It also shows the regulatory status above so you can see, at a glance, that this is a compounded, unapproved peptide with a pending FDA decision [7].

The reference half-life in STACK

STACK ships KPV without a default half-life: No human or animal half-life published. You enter your own estimate before a curve is drawn. Measured in: none — FDA has identified no human exposure data for KPV by any route.

KPV

No default

No human or animal half-life published; set your own estimate. Educational only — not medical or dosing advice.

Estimate only. Modelled from the published half-life you selected and the doses you logged — not a measured blood level. Do not use it to make medication decisions.

Free tools for KPV

Sources

Every URL below was fetched and checked on 2026-09-24. Bracketed numbers in the text link here.

KPV