The Glutathione is a tripeptide, a molecule made of three amino acids, that is found in human cells and is available by prescription as an injection. The three amino acids are glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. BrightSide offers compounded glutathione injection, prescribed by a provider based in Seattle and filled by a licensed US pharmacy.
What is glutathione?
Glutathione is a tripeptide, which means it is built from three amino acids joined in a chain: glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. The National Library of Medicine's subject headings describe it as a tripeptide with many roles in cells. According to that record, it conjugates to drugs to make them more soluble for excretion, it is a cofactor for some enzymes, it is involved in rearranging the disulfide bonds in proteins, and it reduces peroxides. The same record lists reduced glutathione as another name for it, and an FDA compounding alert from 2019 calls the ingredient L-glutathione. Those are descriptions of the molecule and its chemistry. Glutathione is found in the body's own cells. The compounded injection is a prescription product that a state-licensed pharmacy makes from a bulk ingredient, for one patient at a time, and FDA has not approved it.
How is glutathione supplied?
BrightSide's glutathione injection is compounded glutathione that comes as a liquid in a 10 mL vial holding more than one dose. It is injected under the skin, and injection supplies come with every order. Your provider sets how much you take, how often and where you inject, and your pharmacy label shows it. Draw each dose with a new sterile needle and syringe, and store the vial the way the label says. FDA generally recommends that vials containing multiple doses of sterile medication be used within 28 days after the first use. Compounded glutathione is not FDA approved, so it has no FDA-approved prescribing information, and your provider's directions and your pharmacy label come first. The prescription follows an online or video visit, and you only pay if a provider prescribes. Plans are on our pricing page, and our pharmacy network page covers how we choose pharmacies.
How does FDA treat compounded glutathione?
FDA has not approved compounded glutathione, and it lists the ingredient as under evaluation. Glutathione is in Category 1 of the bulk drug substances nominated for the 503A bulks list, on the list FDA updated on May 14, 2026. FDA says it does not intend to take action against a compounder for compounding with a Category 1 substance, provided the conditions in its guidance are met.
| Glutathione | |
|---|---|
| What it is | A tripeptide, three amino acids in a chain |
| The three amino acids | Glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine |
| Other names | Reduced glutathione, L-glutathione |
| FDA status of compounded glutathione | Not FDA approved; the ingredient is in Category 1, under evaluation for the 503A bulks list |
| How BrightSide supplies it | A liquid in a 10 mL vial, injected under the skin |
Common questions
Is glutathione a peptide?
Yes. Glutathione is a tripeptide, a chain of three amino acids, which makes it one of the smallest peptides. It is not one of the six peptides in the October 2026 federal compounding policy. FDA handles it under a separate interim policy, as a Category 1 bulk drug substance.
Is compounded glutathione FDA approved?
No. Compounded glutathione is not FDA approved, and FDA does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness or quality. The ingredient is in Category 1 of FDA's list of bulk drug substances under evaluation for the 503A bulks list. A state-licensed pharmacy compounds it for one patient on a prescription from a licensed provider.
Related terms
- NAD+: another compounded injection on our shelf.
- Bulks list (503A bulk drug substances): the list glutathione is being evaluated for.
- Certificate of analysis (COA): the batch report that comes with a bulk ingredient.
- Subcutaneous injection: how glutathione injection is given.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine, Medical Subject Headings, Glutathione (D005978): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68005978
- FDA, Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A of the FD&C Act, content current as of May 14, 2026: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act
- FDA, Bulk drug substances nominated for use in compounding under section 503A, category list updated May 14, 2026: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download
Compounded medications are not FDA approved. They are prescribed by a licensed clinician and filled by a licensed 503A pharmacy.
