The Nationally compounded, coming soon.
KPV is a peptide of 3 amino acids that providers prescribe to support a calm, healthy gut lining and comfortable skin. It is the tail end of alpha-MSH, a hormone the body makes, it is taken by mouth or on the skin, and it is one of six peptides in the October 2026 federal compounding policy.
What is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide, three amino acids in a row: lysine, proline and valine, which is where the name comes from [1]. It is the final three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, known as alpha-MSH. Researchers describe these three as the smallest part of alpha-MSH reported to calm inflammation [2].
KPV stands out in this group because it is not an injection. The federal policy names KPV acetate for oral and topical use, so it is taken by mouth or applied to the skin [5]. It is one ingredient, with nothing blended in.
What is KPV prescribed for?
A provider prescribes KPV to support:
- A calm, healthy gut lining
- Comfortable digestion when travel, stress or a hectic schedule throws things off
- Calm, comfortable skin
- The body's balanced response to everyday inflammation
Your provider looks at your history and your goals, then decides whether KPV fits and which form, oral or topical, suits you.
What has research looked at?
KPV has a focused research record in the gut and the skin.
- The gut lining. A 2008 study in Gastroenterology found that KPV is carried into intestinal cells by PepT1, a transporter that moves small peptides across the gut lining. Inside human intestinal and immune cells, KPV reduced inflammatory signaling, and it showed anti-inflammatory effects in two mouse models of gut inflammation [1].
- Skin cells. A 2004 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology looked at how KPV and alpha-MSH signal in human keratinocytes, the main cells of the skin's outer layer. KPV triggered a rapid signaling response in those cells at very low concentrations [2].
- Oral delivery. A 2017 study in Molecular Therapy describes KPV as a naturally occurring tripeptide and packed it into tiny particles taken by mouth. In mice, the particles carried KPV to the cells of the colon lining, where it supported mucosal repair and calmed inflammation [3].
Who is KPV for?
- The line cook on Capitol Hill working late nights and eating on the run, who wants support for a calm gut.
- The software engineer in South Lake Union who travels for work and wants digestion that keeps up with the calendar.
- The stand-up paddler on Puget Sound whose skin feels every cold, windy session.
- The ski patroller at Mount Baker whose face takes wind, sun and cold all winter.
Your visit with Arora Health
BrightSide care is provided by Arora Health, the Seattle practice led by Dr. Shannon Arora and Dr. Sean Arora. Their providers know peptides well and are excited to offer them.
- Start an online visit from home. Tell us about your gut, your skin and your goals.
- A Seattle-based Arora Health provider reviews it and builds a plan for you, including whether KPV fits and in which form.
- It is nationally compounded: our national pharmacy partners fill your prescription and ship it to your door.
- Follow up with your provider in your BrightSide patient portal as your plan moves along.
Every prescription gives 50 meals a month to those in need. See how on our giving page, and see how we choose pharmacies on our pharmacy network page.
How is KPV supplied?
| KPV | |
|---|---|
| Form | Compounded KPV acetate, single ingredient |
| Route | By mouth (oral) or on the skin (topical); not an injection |
| How often | On the schedule your provider sets in your plan |
| Storage | As directed on the pharmacy label that comes with your prescription |
When can you get KPV?
Soon. On October 30, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services published a draft policy that opens a path for state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacies to compound KPV and five other peptides. HHS says the policy is meant "to expand and improve patient access" [4]. It works through enforcement discretion, and BrightSide, Arora Health and our pharmacy partner are getting ready now so we can start as soon as prescribing opens.
Join the list to be first.
When prescribing opens, an Arora Health provider will reach out to you.
Common questions
Is KPV an injection?
No. The federal policy names KPV for oral and topical use only. Your provider decides whether a form taken by mouth or one applied to the skin fits your plan.
Where does KPV come from?
KPV is the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH, a hormone the body makes. The compounded version is made by a licensed 503A pharmacy from a bulk ingredient that comes with a certificate of analysis.
Do you need a prescription for KPV?
Yes. KPV will be a compounded medication, made for you by a licensed 503A pharmacy on a prescription from a licensed provider after your visit.
Related peptides
- BPC-157: recovery and repair, prescribed to support tendon and ligament recovery and a healthy gut lining.
- TB-500: recovery and repair, prescribed to support tissue and skin recovery.
- Epitalon: sleep and healthy aging, prescribed to support restful sleep.
- See all six on the peptide hub.
Sources
- Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, Yan Y, Sitaraman S, Merlin D. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology, 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18061177/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2007.10.026)
- Elliott RJ, Szabo M, Wagner MJ, Kemp EH, MacNeil S, Haycock JW. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH 11-13 KPV and adrenocorticotropic hormone signalling in human keratinocyte cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15102092/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202x.2004.22404.x)
- Xiao B, Xu Z, Viennois E, et al. Molecular Therapy, 2017, orally targeted delivery of tripeptide KPV via hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28143741/ (DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.11.020)
- HHS, Enforcement discretion policy regarding 503A compounding using certain peptide bulk drug substances, notice of availability, 91 FR 68526, October 30, 2026. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-30/html/2026-22192.htm
- HHS, Enforcement discretion policy regarding 503A compounding using certain peptide bulk drug substances, Appendix A and B. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-503a-peptide-enforcement-discretion-policy-appendix-b.pdf
Compounded peptides are not FDA approved and will be available by prescription from a licensed 503A pharmacy once prescribing opens.
