VIP
A 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that relaxes blood vessels and calms inflammation.
Overview
VIP is a natural hormone found in the gut, lungs and brain. It widens blood vessels, relaxes airways and calms immune responses. Synthetic VIP (aviptadil) is approved in the UK, mixed with phentolamine, as an injection for erectile dysfunction. Trials in COVID respiratory failure did not show benefit. Wellness use, mostly as a nasal spray for mold-related illness (CIRS), rests on small uncontrolled reports.
How it works
Binds VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. That relaxes smooth muscle in vessels and airways, reduces inflammatory cytokines and shifts immune cells toward a calmer profile. It breaks down within minutes in the blood.
Evidence
3/5
Real human data (ED approval in the UK, small lung studies, a large COVID RCT that failed). CIRS nasal use is small open-label work only.
Half-life
About 2 minutes in blood
Known as
Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Aviptadil, Zyesami
Compound facts
- Type
- Neuropeptide (VPAC agonist)
- CAS Number
- 37221-79-7
- Molecular Formula
- C147H237N43O43S
- Molecular Weight
- 3326.8 g/mol
- Amino Acids
- 28 (amidated)
- Half-Life
- ~2 minutes
Reported benefits
Erectile dysfunction
Injected with phentolamine into the penis, it is a licensed second-line ED treatment in the UK.
Lung inflammation (sarcoidosis)
A small open-label study of inhaled VIP reported reduced airway inflammation markers.
COVID respiratory failure
Not a benefit: in the TESICO RCT (2023), IV aviptadil did not improve recovery or survival vs placebo.
CIRS / mold illness symptoms
Nasal VIP is used in the Shoemaker protocol. Support comes from small uncontrolled studies and user reports.
“Anecdotal” means reported by users, not shown in controlled trials.
Community-reported regimens
Not recommendations. These are commonly cited ranges, shown so you can see what real-world use looks like.
| Plan | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community nasal (CIRS protocol) Typically a compounded nasal spray, not a mixed vial. | 50 mcg | Up to 4× daily | 1+ months under clinician supervision | Intranasal (spray) |
| Community subcutaneous Less established than the nasal route. | 100 mcg | Once daily | 2–4 weeks | Subcutaneous |
Reconstitution calculator
Set up for VIP. Switch peptide or vial size any time.
1Mix
Add 2 mL water for 5 mg/mL
2Draw
Draw to 2 units = 0.02 mL = 100 mcg
Drag the plunger to set your dose.
3Inject
Next site
Right belly, upper
Tap a site after you inject to keep a rotation.
Also used as a nasal spray; this shows the injection option. Pinch the skin, stay 2 in. from the navel, then into a sharps bin.
- Doses per vial
- 100
- Vial lasts
- 100 days
- Good once mixed
- ~14 days
- Syringe
- 30-unit, 0.3 mL
The vial outlasts its ~14-day shelf life once mixed. A smaller vial wastes less.
Under 5 units is hard to measure accurately. Add more diluent for an easier draw.
Math only: concentration (mg/mL) = vial mg ÷ mL of water; units = dose (mg) ÷ concentration × 100. Always double-check against your own vial label and a clinician. This tool does not recommend a dose.
Reconstitution
Diluent: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) — allows multiple draws from one vial.
- Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol swab and let dry.
- Draw the diluent, then inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently or let it sit; do not shake. Foam can damage peptides.
- Solution should be clear. Cloudy, stringy or discolored = discard.
- Small doses are easier to measure with more diluent.
- Common mix: 10 mg + 4 mL = 2.5 mg/mL (100 mcg = 4 units).
Storage
Powder
Freezer / fridge
Keep sealed vial in the freezer (−20 °C) for long-term storage; fridge (2–8 °C) is fine for a few weeks. Keep dry and out of light.
After mixing
~14 days
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Never freeze after mixing. Keep upright, capped, and out of light.
Travel
Keep cool
Short trips at room temperature are generally fine for powder; keep mixed vials cold.
- VIP is a fragile peptide. A conservative 2-week use window after mixing is suggested; protect from light.
Side effects & cautions
Reported side effects
- Flushing and warmth
- Low blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fast heartbeat
- Diarrhea (VIP drives gut fluid secretion)
- Nasal irritation with sprays
Cautions
- Lowers blood pressure. Take care with blood-pressure medicines, ED drugs or nitrates.
- Very high VIP levels (from rare VIP-secreting tumors) cause severe watery diarrhea; overdose effects may be similar.
- Not a treatment for COVID-19; the major trial was negative.
- No data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
FDA & international status
Not FDA-approved in any form
No VIP or aviptadil product is FDA-approved. FDA declined emergency use authorization for IV aviptadil (Zyesami) in critical COVID-19, and the NIH-sponsored TESICO trial stopped its aviptadil arm for futility. It has been studied under orphan programs for lung disease. Compounded nasal VIP is used by some US clinicians; check current FDA compounding rules.
Regulations change often — verify with the FDA, EMA, MHRA, Health Canada, TGA and WADA before acting.
Where to buy
| Size | Price | Per mg | Stock | Latest COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | $49.99 | $5.00 | In stock | 99.6% pure, lot VIP0001 ILS Labs, tested 2026-08-03 |
Amino Club list prices as of 2026-10-07, before promo codes. Multi-buy: 2+ units 5% off, 3+ units 7.5% off, 10+ units 40% off. Prices change; confirm on the product page. Mixing? Their bacteriostatic water is Amino H2O from $19.99.
VIP at Amino Club
Check sizes, current price and the certificate of analysis (COA) on the product page. Sold for in-vitro research only.
Get VIP alerts
An email when its price drops, a sale starts, or its FDA or WADA status changes.
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- Look for a batch-specific COA with HPLC purity (≥98%) and mass-spec identity.
- Typical vial sizes: 10 mg.
FAQ
Why is VIP usually a nasal spray?
It breaks down in about 2 minutes in blood. The CIRS protocol uses a nasal spray, and most user reports come from that route.
Is it approved anywhere?
Yes, but only as aviptadil mixed with phentolamine for erectile dysfunction in the UK and some EU countries. Not in the US.
Did it work for COVID?
No. A large placebo-controlled trial found no benefit on recovery or survival.