VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
VIP is a 28-amino-acid member of the secretin/glucagon peptide family that signals through the VPAC1 and VPAC2 G-protein-coupled receptors. It drives smooth-muscle relaxation and vasodilation, stimulates pulmonary surfactant, and broadly downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokine production. It is degraded within minutes in circulation, with the lung acting as a major site of uptake and clearance, which is why sustained therapeutic use requires infusion or alternative delivery.
Onset and duration vary by individual; see the mechanism and half-life above.
Store the lyophilized powder refrigerated (2 to 8 C), or frozen for long-term storage, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, keep refrigerated and use within about 4 weeks.
Clinical Evidence
What the literature says
Scientific Overview
According to PubMed, a multicenter randomized trial of IV aviptadil (synthetic VIP) in critical COVID-19 respiratory failure did NOT meet its primary endpoint, though it showed a secondary survival signal and reduced IL-6 (Youssef JG et al., Crit Care Med 2022). VIP is cleared extremely fast: a rat study measured a plasma half-life of about 0.4 minutes, with the lungs as a major clearance site (Hassan M et al., Nucl Med Biol 1994). The intranasal off-label CIRS use is anecdotal and not supported by controlled trials.
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life (t½)
- 1 min
- Approximate plasma half-life
- Routes
- IntravenousIntranasal
Citations (2)
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15
Research Guide
How users approach this compound
The following reflects patterns observed in research literature and community protocols. This is not medical advice and does not constitute a clinical recommendation.
Research Protocols
Common DosagesAviptadil (IV, trial)
“Investigational; hospital/research setting”
Intranasal (off-label)
“Off-label CIRS use; no controlled-trial dosing”
Dosages listed are common research protocols found in peer-reviewed literature and clinical trials. Individual results and requirements may vary significantly in a research context.
Reported Uses
- Investigational IV aviptadil for respiratory failure (primary endpoint not met)
- Off-label intranasal use for chronic inflammatory response / mold illness (anecdotal)
- Research into anti-inflammatory and pulmonary protection
Key Research Benefits
- Anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating signaling
- Upregulates pulmonary surfactant and protects alveolar cells (preclinical, aviptadil)
- Off-label intranasal use reported for chronic inflammatory response and sinopulmonary symptoms (not established)
Potential Side Effects
Considerations and Cautions
- Hypotension or hemodynamic instability (IV)
- Hypersensitivity to the peptide
- No established safety profile for off-label intranasal use
Labs to monitor
Educational context only, not a testing mandate. Any bloodwork decisions belong with your clinician.
- Blood pressure: VIP is a vasodilator; IV use can cause hypotension.
- Inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, CRP): Used as research endpoints for its anti-inflammatory effect.
Dose Calculator
Peptide Reconstitution Calculator
Total amount of peptide in the vial.
Volume of water used to mix.
Draw to this mark
or 0.10 mL on a U-100 syringe
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) by goal
Read VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)'s profile filtered through specific research goals.
Related Tools
Not medical advice
Information on DoseVault is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.