VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
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Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is listed as immune / neuroendocrine.
- •Chronic inflammatory response research
- •Pulmonary inflammation
Regulatory status: Compounded/investigational — no FDA approval for chronic use.
Structure & Properties
Compound: VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide); also known as Aviptadil.
Pharmacologic class: Immune / Neuroendocrine.
Known delivery routes: Intranasal, Intravenous.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
28-amino-acid neuropeptide acting at VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors to produce vasodilation, bronchodilation, and broad anti-inflammatory signaling.
- •Anti-inflammatory cytokine shift
- •Reported improvement in CIRS symptom scores
- •Pulmonary vasodilation
Human Research
Evidence grade: Clinical RCT (Limited)
Clinical RCT (Limited). Trials in ARDS and pulmonary hypertension; CIRS protocol use.
Laboratory Research
Trials in ARDS and pulmonary hypertension; CIRS protocol use
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
No strict time-of-day requirement. Dose consistently at the same time daily and rotate injection sites. Follow the per-peptide dosing section above.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- •Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Hypotension and flushing
- •Diarrhea
- •Requires mold/biotoxin remediation first in CIRS protocols
Contraindications
- •Hypotension
- •Active mold exposure (protocol requirement)
- •Pregnancy
- •Autoimmune disease in active flare (immune activation may worsen symptoms)
- •Solid-organ or stem-cell transplant recipients on immunosuppression (rejection risk)
- •Concurrent biologic immunosuppressants or systemic corticosteroids without specialist input
- •Untreated acute infection requiring standard antimicrobial therapy
- •Seizure disorder or history of epilepsy (lowered seizure threshold reported for some agents)
- •Bipolar disorder, psychosis, or active mania
- •Concurrent MAO inhibitors, stimulants, or serotonergic agents without psychiatric oversight
- •Recent intracranial haemorrhage or unstable neurologic injury
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- •Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- •Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 50 mcg 4×/day intranasal (protocol use)
Frequency: Up to 4× daily
Cycling: Long taper protocols under clinician supervision.
Intranasal
Preferred for CNS-targeted peptides (nose-to-brain delivery) and rescue formulations.
Metered nasal spray (0.05–0.1 mL / puff) or dropper. Blow nose first. Tilt head slightly forward. Insert tip, occlude opposite nostril, spray on inhalation. Alternate nostrils. Do not sniff hard — pool in mucosa.
Intravenous (IV)
Clinician-administered only. Reserved for hospital protocols, senolytics research, or emergency use.
IV catheter / infusion pump. Sterile IV push or slow infusion per protocol. Not for home use.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)?
In plain words
VIP is a small protein-like molecule that carries signals in the body. The body responds to its signals by widening blood vessels, opening airways, and reducing inflammation signals. Researchers study it for long-lasting inflammatory responses and lung inflammation. Clinical trial evidence is limited, and risks include low blood pressure, flushing, and diarrhea.
Technical definition
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), also known as aviptadil, is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide in the immune/neuroendocrine category that acts at VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. Its signaling produces vasodilation, bronchodilation, and broad anti-inflammatory effects; it is studied in chronic inflammatory responses and pulmonary inflammation, with limited randomized controlled trial evidence. Its regulatory status is compounded/investigational, with no FDA approval for chronic use.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
As directed clinically — inhalation/injection timing per protocol.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Intranasal — Alternate nostrils, spray on inhalation, do not sniff hard.
- IV — clinician only — Antecubital vein or central line. Not for home administration.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Long taper protocols under clinician supervision.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Avoid stacking with peptides that share the same receptor or mechanism without clinical guidance.
- ·Avoid combining with alcohol or immunosuppressants unless cleared by a clinician.
- ·Most peptides pair safely with baseline nutrition, sleep, and resistance training.
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Anti-inflammatory cytokine shift
- ·Reported improvement in CIRS symptom scores
- ·Pulmonary vasodilation
Risks
- ·Hypotension and flushing
- ·Diarrhea
- ·Requires mold/biotoxin remediation first in CIRS protocols
Contraindications
- ·Hypotension
- ·Active mold exposure (protocol requirement)
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Autoimmune disease in active flare (immune activation may worsen symptoms)
- ·Solid-organ or stem-cell transplant recipients on immunosuppression (rejection risk)
- ·Concurrent biologic immunosuppressants or systemic corticosteroids without specialist input
- ·Untreated acute infection requiring standard antimicrobial therapy
- ·Seizure disorder or history of epilepsy (lowered seizure threshold reported for some agents)
- ·Bipolar disorder, psychosis, or active mania
- ·Concurrent MAO inhibitors, stimulants, or serotonergic agents without psychiatric oversight
- ·Recent intracranial haemorrhage or unstable neurologic injury
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- ·Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- ·Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
Compounded/investigational — no FDA approval for chronic use
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide). Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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