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Reconstituted color
№ 046

AHK-Cu

A peptide promoted for hair growth. A copper-binding tripeptide cousin to GHK-Cu, promoted specifically for hair-follicle support. Limited human data, most evidence is in vitro and topical formulation.

Skin
Evidence: Anecdotal

AHK-Cu: A peptide promoted for hair growth. A copper-binding tripeptide cousin to GHK-Cu, promoted specifically for hair-follicle support. Limited human data, most evidence is in vitro and topical formulation. AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu.

FDA ⓘ
Not approved
WADA
Not banned
Typical dose
Topical: 0.05-0.2% concentration
Half-life ⓘ
~2 hours topical
Route ⓘ
Topical (most common) or sub-q
Schedule
1-2x daily topical
In plain English

AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu. Same copper-binding family, different amino acid sequence, marketed for follicle support. Most evidence is in vitro and topical. Treat it like minoxidil's experimental sibling, slow, subtle, cumulative.

Status & legalityWhat do these mean? →
Natty? ⓘ
Grey area

Naturally-occurring copper peptide derivative. Federations don't address it specifically.

FDA ⓘ
Not approved

Not FDA approved as a drug. Approved as a cosmetic ingredient in some formulations.

Compounding ⓘ
Not classified

Not formally categorized in the FDA bulks lists.

WADA ⓘ
Not listed
Prescribed ⓘ

Not prescribed in conventional medicine.

Who it's for

  • →Users targeting hair-follicle support specifically
  • →Stack add-on alongside GHK-Cu for skin + hair routines
  • →Topical-only researchers

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Nothing visible yet.

  2. Week 4

    Scalp irritation should fade if it appeared early.

  3. Week 8

    Subtle follicle changes for responders. Most users see less than topical minoxidil produces.

Looking at AHK-Cu? Your next 3 steps

  1. 1Work out your syringe units

    Vial size + BAC water turns into the exact units to draw for AHK-Cu.

    Open calculator →
  2. 2See what to stack & monitor

    The companion supplements and the bloodwork worth tracking on this kind of protocol.

    Bloodwork guide →
  3. 3Save it & ask the Coach

    A free account saves your stack; membership adds the stack-aware AI Coach.

    Create free account →

How it works (mechanism)

Copper-binding tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) similar to GHK-Cu in family but specialized for follicular activity. Activates dermal papilla cells in vitro.

Dosing protocol

Members only

Stacks well with

Members only

Side effects

01Scalp irritation early
02Mild itching
03Rare: contact dermatitis

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Wilson's disease
  • ⚠Active scalp infection

Common mistakes

  • • Confusing it with GHK-Cu and using GHK-Cu protocols here
  • • Storing in plastic (copper binds plastic, use glass)
  • • Expecting fast follicle changes, visible response takes weeks
Free, no account needed

New to AHK-Cu? Grab the starter checklist.

Drop your email and we'll send the one-page starter checklist beginners actually need first. No account needed.

No spam, and we never sell your email. Just the checklist. Email support@pepdex.co to opt out any time.

AI Coach, live sample
Members only
is 250mcg of bpc enough for a knee injury?
For a knee, 250 mcg sub-q daily is the standard working dose and a solid place to start. The trick with BPC is consistency, give it weeks, not days. Inject close to the joint, run it 4-6 weeks, and don't drop below 200 mcg, it tends to stop cracking the threshold reliably down there. If it hasn't moved at all by week 3, that's when adding TB-500 earns its place.
how much bac water for a 10mg reta vial?
3 mL is the standard play for a 10 mg reta vial. That's 3,333 mcg/mL, clean unit math across the titration: 2 mg = 60 units, 4 mg = 120 units, 6 mg = 180 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe. Run 2 mL instead if you want fewer, more concentrated shots (5,000 mcg/mL, so 2 mg = 40 units). Since most people titrate up over ~12 weeks, 3 mL keeps the numbers cleanest.
what should i track on bloodwork for tirzepatide?
Lipid panel, ALT/AST (liver enzymes), and an A1C, baseline before you start then every 3 months. If you've got metabolic-syndrome history, add fasting glucose and insulin so you can actually watch insulin sensitivity improve. You don't need a big hormone panel for a GLP-1.

Ask the Coach anything about AHK-Cu or your own stack. This is it working.

Trained only on Pepdex content. Does the dose math, flags interactions, knows your stack. Won't push vendors, won't pretend to be a doctor.

Get the Coach, $7.99/mo →

Frequently asked

What is AHK-Cu?+
AHK-Cu is a hair-focused cousin to GHK-Cu. Same copper-binding family, different amino acid sequence, marketed for follicle support. Most evidence is in vitro and topical. Treat it like minoxidil's experimental sibling, slow, subtle, cumulative.
Is AHK-Cu FDA approved?+
Not FDA approved as a drug. Approved as a cosmetic ingredient in some formulations.
Is AHK-Cu legal?+
AHK-Cu is not FDA-approved. It is sold by compounding pharmacies (with a prescription) and as "research only" by peptide vendors. Possession is generally not criminalized but distribution without authorization may be. Verify local laws.
Is AHK-Cu banned by WADA?+
AHK-Cu is not currently on the WADA prohibited list.
Are you still natty after taking AHK-Cu?+
Grey area. Naturally-occurring copper peptide derivative. Federations don't address it specifically.
Do doctors prescribe AHK-Cu?+
Not prescribed in conventional medicine.
What's the typical dose of AHK-Cu?+
Dosing depends on your goal, experience, and tolerance. The full AHK-Cu protocol (dose, frequency, and how to titrate) is in the members section on the entry page.
What are the side effects of AHK-Cu?+
Common side effects include: Scalp irritation early; Mild itching; Rare: contact dermatitis. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until AHK-Cu starts working?+
Nothing visible yet.
What can you stack with AHK-Cu?+
AHK-Cu is commonly combined with complementary compounds. The full stacking protocol (what to pair, dosing, and timing) is in the members section on the entry page.
Where do people get AHK-Cu?+
Pepdex does not sell, ship, or recommend suppliers. AHK-Cu is not FDA-approved; prescription versions require licensed clinical care, and "research only" markets carry real legal and quality risks. /coa explains how to verify a Certificate of Analysis and /guides/scam-vendor-spotting covers the red flags.

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