Glutathione (GSH): Benefits, Dosage & FDA Status
Reduced L-Glutathione
Technically a tripeptide (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) and the body's primary antioxidant. Often grouped with peptide therapy in IV/compounded form for liver support and oxidative stress.
FDA Status
Not FDA-approved as therapeutic — sold as supplement; intravenous use compounded
Typical Dose
200–600 mg sublingual / 600–2400 mg IV (compounded)
Evidence Grade
BLimited clinical + robust preclinical evidence
Half-Life
~30 minutes (plasma)
Routes of Administration
intravenous, sublingual, oral
First Synthesized
1888 (isolated)
Clinics Indexed
312 providers have offered Glutathione (GSH) in our tracked directory.
Mechanism of Action
Tripeptide γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine; central antioxidant cofactor for glutathione peroxidase and detoxification enzymes.
Key Reported Benefits
- ✓Master antioxidant
- ✓Liver detoxification support
- ✓Oxidative stress reduction
Benefits listed reflect commonly reported effects from clinical trials and practitioner use. Individual response varies. Evidence-grade B indicates limited clinical + robust preclinical evidence.
Reported Side Effects
- •GI discomfort (oral)
- •Asthma-like reactions in inhaled form
Contraindications
- ⚠Sulfa allergy (caution)
- ⚠Pregnancy (without specialist guidance)
Regulatory & Safety Context
FDA status: Not FDA-approved as therapeutic — sold as supplement; intravenous use compounded
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Peptide use outside of an FDA-approved indication should be discussed with a licensed medical professional. Source quality, cold-chain storage, and injection hygiene all materially affect safety outcomes.
See state-by-state legality: US peptide legality by state →
References
Selected primary literature on Glutathione (GSH). Full PubMed records linked. Additional citations are available on request.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-30
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