Glutathione: What It Is and Its U.S. Regulatory Status

What is glutathione?

Glutathione is a small peptide made of three amino acids: glutamate, cysteine and glycine. The body makes it inside cells, where it is one of the main antioxidant molecules. It helps keep other molecules in the cell from being damaged by oxidation.

U.S. regulatory status

Current status: Supplement (oral) / Rx compounded (injectable).

Oral glutathione is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review them for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Supplement labels are also not allowed to make disease claims.

Non-oral forms are not FDA-approved drugs. Their U.S. status is limited to compounded preparations made for an individual patient under a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Why Peptide Labs does not sell glutathione

Peptide Labs does not sell this compound. This page is general information, not medical advice. Our Peptide Guide exists to explain what these compounds are and how they are regulated, not to supply them.

Anyone with questions about glutathione should speak with a licensed healthcare provider, who can explain the current evidence and the legal status in plain terms.

Related reading

See the full list of compound profiles in the Peptide Guide.