Honest answers,
in one place.
Everything we get asked, organized for skim-reading. If your question isn't here, our intake form is the right place to ask it — every question becomes a note to your prescriber.
The legal questions, first.
Are peptides legal in the United States?
The peptides Pepra dispenses are compounded under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which permits state-licensed pharmacies to prepare medications under a valid prescription for an individual patient.
In late 2023 the FDA placed several peptides — including BPC-157 — into Category 2 pending further safety evaluation. That review is now resolving; the compounds in our catalog are returning to Category 1, restoring the compounding pathway. We only dispense compounds covered by current Category 1 status.
Why "compounded" instead of FDA-approved?
Most of the compounds in the Pepra catalog do not have an FDA-approved finished-drug version available in the United States. The 503A compounding pathway is what makes them lawfully accessible under a valid individual prescription. The exception is GLP-1 — branded versions exist (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound), and compounded versions are dispensed during shortage periods consistent with FDA guidance.
Do I need a prescription for BPC-157, TB-500, or the others?
Yes. Every compound in our catalog requires a valid prescription. Pepra connects you with a US-licensed prescriber who reviews your intake and issues a prescription if appropriate. The medication is then prepared by a 503A compounding pharmacy in your name.
What happens if a peptide moves back to Category 2?
If the FDA changes the regulatory status of a compound mid-protocol, we transition affected patients to a clinically appropriate alternative. We do not operate against current FDA guidance. Pepra monitors the FDA Drug Shortages and 503A bulks lists weekly.
Is Pepra a research chemical vendor?
No. Pepra dispenses prescribed compounded peptides through licensed 503A pharmacies. We do not sell research-use-only compounds and we do not ship outside the United States. The "RUO" gray market has its own quality and identity concerns; that is not the company we are building.
From intake to first vial.
How long does the intake take?
About six minutes for most patients. The form covers identity, vitals, medical history, current medications, goals, and an optional lab upload. If you have lab work to share, that adds 1–2 minutes for the upload.
Do I need to do a video call?
No, in nearly all cases. Pepra is asynchronous by default — your prescriber reads your intake and either issues the prescription, asks follow-ups via secure message, or declines.
A small percentage of cases — typically when the clinical picture is complex or when GLP-1 protocols warrant additional discussion — get scheduled for a brief video call. You'll be notified if so; otherwise, no video required, ever.
How fast is the review?
Within 48 hours. Most reviews complete inside 24 hours; we publish the SLA at 48 to set realistic expectations. If a holiday is inside the window, we extend automatically and notify you.
How fast does my first vial arrive?
Typically 5–7 business days from prescription issuance. Cold-shipped, insulated, with adult signature required at delivery. The pharmacy will text you a tracking link once the package leaves the facility.
Do you ship to all 50 states?
Pepra ships to most US states. A small number have additional compounding-pharmacy restrictions or in-state physical-presence requirements that we don't yet meet. We'll let you know during intake if your state is currently unsupported and offer a waitlist.
What you pay, and when.
How much do protocols cost?
Single-compound peptide protocols: $30–$100/month. Specifically: Semax from $30, BPC-157 from $40, GHK-Cu from $40, TB-500 from $50, CJC/Ipamorelin from $60.
GLP-1 protocols (compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide): $200–$500/month depending on dose and titration phase.
The clinician consult, secure messaging, and ongoing monitoring are included in every protocol.
When am I charged?
Only after a prescription is issued. If your prescriber declines the protocol — or if you decide not to proceed — you're never charged. Period.
Subsequent monthly charges are timed to your refill cadence. You can pause from your dashboard before the next ship date.
Can I use insurance?
Compounded peptides are paid out of pocket; they are not covered under standard pharmacy benefits in 2026. We accept HSA and FSA cards on every protocol. Your monthly statement is itemized and can be submitted to your benefits administrator.
GLP-1 protocols sometimes qualify for partial coverage when there's an ICD-10 indication; we don't bill insurance directly but we'll provide the documentation if you choose to pursue reimbursement.
Can I pause or cancel anytime?
Yes. There are no minimum commitments. Pause from your dashboard before your next refill ship date and the protocol stops; resume when you're ready and your prescriber reviews any updates first.
We will never auto-renew a protocol after it ends without an explicit clinical re-review.
The medicine itself.
Are peptides safe?
Most of the compounds Pepra dispenses have well-characterized safety profiles in available data, with side effects that are mild and predominantly transient — most commonly injection-site irritation or brief nausea.
Each protocol carries its own risk-benefit profile. Common contraindications include pregnancy, active malignancy, and some endocrine conditions. Your prescriber screens for these during intake.
Is BPC-157 the same as steroids?
No. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide; anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone. They are different molecule classes with different mechanisms and different regulatory frameworks. Peptides are not Schedule III controlled substances.
Can I get the Wolverine Stack (BPC-157 + TB-500) on my first intake?
Most patients start with BPC-157 alone. The combined BPC-157 + TB-500 stack is typically reserved for cases where a single-compound protocol isn't sufficient — chronic, multi-site soft-tissue injuries, or when prior single-compound protocols have under-delivered. Your prescriber decides based on your intake.
What labs will I need?
Most peptide protocols don't require labs to start. Specifically:
· BPC-157, TB-500, Semax, GHK-Cu — no required baseline labs.
· CJC/Ipamorelin — baseline IGF-1 at week 16 (not required to start).
· GLP-1 — required baseline labs at intake: HbA1c, lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel.
If you have recent labs to share, the prescriber will use them. If not, we order through Quest or Labcorp.
What if I'm already on another prescription?
Tell us during intake. Drug-interaction screening is one of the first checks the prescriber does. Some combinations are perfectly fine, some warrant lab work first, and a small number are reasons not to start. The intake has a free-text field for everything you're currently taking, including supplements.
Why peptides instead of pills?
Most peptides are destroyed by stomach acid before they reach circulation, which is why nearly every one in the catalog is delivered subcutaneously or intranasally. We provide the syringes, bacteriostatic water, alcohol pads, sharps return mailer, and a one-page primer that walks you through it the first time.
Most patients say their first injection is the only nervous one.
Where your information lives.
Is Pepra HIPAA-compliant?
Yes. Our infrastructure is HIPAA-compliant; we are SOC 2 Type II in audit. All clinical messaging is end-to-end encrypted between you and your assigned prescriber.
Will Pepra sell my data?
No. We don't sell patient data. We never will. Our business model is the protocol you pay for; that's where the alignment is.
How do I delete my account?
Email privacy@pepra.com (or use the in-app data request form once your account is created). We delete your record on request. Inactive accounts are auto-deleted after 12 months.
Question not here? Ask in intake.
Every question you write becomes a note to your prescriber. Pepra reviews every intake question and updates this page when patterns emerge.