GHK-Cu Pharmacokinetics
GHK-Cu half-life, absorption, routes of administration, and clearance.
Half-Life & Dosing Cadence
GHK-Cu has a reported elimination half-life of ~1 hour. The half-life is the time it takes for blood levels to fall by half, and it's the single biggest driver of how often you dose. That's why the typical schedule lands around 1x daily (injectable) at 1–2 mg — frequent enough to keep levels in a useful range without stacking up. Shorter half-lives mean more frequent dosing and faster clearance if you stop; longer ones mean steadier levels but a slower washout.
Administration & Absorption
GHK-Cu is administered by subcutaneous injection (into the fat layer just under the skin) and topical application (creams/serums applied to the skin). The primary route is subcutaneous. Subcutaneous delivery is absorbed steadily from the fat depot, giving smoother peaks than intramuscular dosing. Topical use acts mostly where it's applied, with limited entry into general circulation. Whichever route you use, rotate sites and follow sterile technique.
Reconstitution & Handling
GHK-Cu ships as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder that you reconstitute before use — a common starting point is a 50 mg vial with 5 mL of bacteriostatic water. Add the water slowly down the vial wall, swirl (don't shake), and let it fully dissolve. Reconstituted peptide is refrigerated and used within its stability window; unmixed powder keeps far longer when stored cold and dark. Always confirm exact dosing math against your own vial and concentration.
Onset & Clearance
Because of its ~1 hour half-life, GHK-Cu reaches steady levels after a few consistent doses and clears the system within roughly four to five half-lives once you stop. Track how you respond over a defined block rather than judging any single dose, and give the compound enough consistent days before deciding whether it's working. This is educational information, not medical advice — review your protocol with a clinician.
Physicochemical and PK profile
- Molecular Formula
- C14H23CuN6O4
- Molecular Weight
- 403.92 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 49557-75-7
- Half-Life
- Short plasma half-life; tissue effects persist longer
- Sequence
- Gly-His-Lys-Cu
- Solubility
- Soluble in water
- Storage
- Store at 2-8°C protected from light.
References
- GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration · Pickart L, Margolina A · 2018
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(7):1987. · Yang ZX, He XT, Li X, Lian YS, Sun JY · 2018
- Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin. · Miller TR, Wagner JD, Baack BR et al. · 2006
- Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition. 2008;19(8):969-988. · Taylor TH, Chang CC, Elliott T, Colturato LF, Kort HI, Nagy ZP · 2008
- Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction. · Fu SC, Cheuk YC, Chiu WY et al. · 2015
- The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide - PMC - NIH · Dou Y, Lee A, Zhu L, Morton J, Ladiges W · 2020
- Canapp SO Jr, et al. The anti-inflammatory effect of the naturally occurring peptide GHK. Veterinary Surgery. 2003;32(4):391-396. · Russell IF · 2003
- Glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu(2+) rescues cigarette smoking-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction via a sirtuin 1-dependent pathway. · Deng M, Zhang Q, Yan L et al. · 2023
- The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling · Pickart L · 2008
- Golgi-targeted copper delivery strategy via enhancing copper-dependent proteins' activity for fascia regeneration. · Wang R, Xu Y, Saiding Q et al. · 2026
- The Human Tripeptide GHK-Cu in Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Degenerative Conditions of Aging: Implications for Cognitive Health - PMC · Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A · 2012