GHK-Cu Dosing Information
No Established Clinical Dosing Guidelines
There are no FDA-approved formulations or established clinical dosing guidelines for GHK-Cu in humans. The peptide is not regulated as a pharmaceutical agent, and all available evidence comes from research studies using varied experimental protocols rather than standardized clinical practice 1, 2.
Research-Based Dosing Context
Endogenous Levels
- Natural serum concentrations of GHK in humans average 200 ng/ml at age 20, declining to approximately 80 ng/ml by age 60 2
- These physiologic levels provide context but do not translate directly to therapeutic dosing recommendations 2
Experimental Animal Dosing
- In mouse models of emphysema, intraperitoneal GHK-Cu was administered at doses of 0.2, and 20 μg/g/day (equivalent to approximately 0.01-1 mg/kg in mice) on alternate days, with the 2 μg/g/day dose showing optimal anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects 3
- These animal doses cannot be directly extrapolated to human use without appropriate pharmacokinetic and safety studies 3
In Vitro Concentrations
- Cell culture studies demonstrate biphasic effects, with maximal stimulation of glycosaminoglycan synthesis occurring at 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁸ M concentrations 4
- At higher concentrations, beneficial effects progressively diminish, returning to baseline 4
- This biphasic response pattern suggests that "more is not better" and highlights the importance of optimal dosing 4
Topical Delivery Studies
- Microneedle-assisted delivery studies used GHK-Cu solutions applied topically to pre-treated skin, resulting in penetration of 134 ± 12 nanomoles of peptide through human skin over 9 hours 1
- Topical formulations with GHK-Cu-modified silver nanoparticles (average size 45-56 nm) showed antibacterial and wound healing effects at 8 μg/ml minimum inhibitory concentration against bacteria 5
Critical Safety Considerations
Lack of Regulatory Oversight
- GHK-Cu is marketed as a cosmetic ingredient or research compound, not as a regulated pharmaceutical 2
- No systematic toxicity studies, drug interaction profiles, or long-term safety data exist for human therapeutic use 1, 2
Potential Risks
- Copper toxicity is a theoretical concern with repeated dosing, particularly in individuals with impaired copper metabolism 4
- The biphasic dose-response relationship observed in vitro suggests potential for reduced efficacy or adverse effects at higher concentrations 4
- Cytotoxicity assays in cell culture showed IC50 values of 6.75-6.99 μg/ml, indicating potential cellular toxicity at higher concentrations 5
Clinical Reality
Any use of GHK-Cu in clinical practice would be off-label and experimental. Without FDA approval, standardized pharmaceutical-grade formulations, or established dosing protocols based on human clinical trials, healthcare providers cannot make evidence-based dosing recommendations for this compound 1, 5, 2. The available research demonstrates biological activity and potential therapeutic mechanisms but does not provide sufficient evidence to establish safe and effective dosing regimens for human use 2, 4, 3.