Larazotide vs Thymosin Beta-4
Restore your intestinal barrier and protect against gluten damage
The body's natural healing peptide that accelerates tissue repair and reduces inflammation
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Larazotide
0.5–0.5 mg
Thymosin Beta-4
2–5 mg
Frequency
Larazotide
Once daily
Thymosin Beta-4
Twice weekly
Administration
Larazotide
Oral (capsule or tablet)
Thymosin Beta-4
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle length
Larazotide
Ongoing/indefinite
Thymosin Beta-4
8-12 weeks
Onset speed
Larazotide
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Thymosin Beta-4
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence level
Larazotide
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Thymosin Beta-4
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Benefit ratings
Intestinal Barrier Protection
Celiac Disease Management
Safety & Tolerability
Wound Healing
Inflammation Reduction
Tissue Regeneration
Compound specifications
Larazotide
Molecular formula
C34H59N9O12
Molecular weight
785.9 g/mol
Half-life
Unknown - acts primarily as local intestinal barrier regulator rather than systemic drug
Bioavailability
Orally administered; acts locally on intestinal epithelium with minimal systemic absorption
CAS number
206899-25-6
Thymosin Beta-4
Molecular formula
C212H350N56O78S
Molecular weight
4963
Half-life
Dose-dependent (increases with higher doses)
Bioavailability
100% (subcutaneous and intravenous)
CAS number
77591-33-4
Dosing compared
Larazotide
Oral
0.5 mg
Three times daily (before meals) · 12 weeks in trials; ongoing for symptom control
Trial-established dose: in a Phase 2b randomized controlled trial in celiac disease, 0.5 mg three times daily met the primary endpoint with fewer symptoms vs placebo. Notably, the higher 1 mg and 2 mg doses showed no benefit over placebo, so 0.5 mg is the effective dose [6]. Taken before meals as a local intestinal tight-junction regulator [1].
Thymosin Beta-4
Subcutaneous injection
2-5 mg (community injectable practice for 'TB-500')
Once or twice weekly · 4-6 week loading phase, then weekly maintenance
Documented community/research-practice injectable dosing for tissue repair; thymosin beta-4 has ~100% bioavailability by the subcutaneous route [1]. Not an FDA-approved use.
Topical ophthalmic (eye drops)
0.1% (1 mg/mL) RGN-259 solution, 1 drop
Several times daily (e.g. up to 5x/day) · 4 weeks
0.1% RGN-259 ophthalmic solution used in phase III neurotrophic keratopathy and dry-eye trials, applied as eye drops several times daily for ~4 weeks [5].
Intravenous injection
450-1200 mg
IV push daily for the first 3 days, then weekly · Total of 7 doses over ~5 weeks
Doses studied in the RGN-352 acute myocardial infarction clinical program, given IV after PCI [6].
Best suited for
Larazotide
Managing celiac disease symptoms despite strict gluten avoidance
Larazotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on managing celiac disease symptoms despite strict gluten avoidance. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Reducing accidental gluten exposure damage
Larazotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on reducing accidental gluten exposure damage. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Restoring digestive comfort and nutrient absorption
Larazotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on restoring digestive comfort and nutrient absorption. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Supporting intestinal healing and barrier function
Larazotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on supporting intestinal healing and barrier function. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Thymosin Beta-4
Post-Surgery Recovery
Accelerates healing of surgical wounds and reduces post-operative inflammation and scarring
Chronic Wound Management
Helps pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and other slow-healing wounds progress faster
Tissue Regeneration
Supports repair of damaged tissues from injury, burns, or degenerative conditions
Side effects
Larazotide
Common
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal Cramping
- Fatigue
Uncommon
- Transient Diarrhea
Serious
- Allergic Reaction
Thymosin Beta-4
Common
- Injection site redness
- Injection site swelling
Uncommon
- Temporary mild headache
- Mild bruising at injection site
- Transient fatigue
Serious
- Allergic reaction
Safety & evidence
Larazotide
Evidence level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA status
Not FDA approved
Safety overview
Larazotide (ALX-0061, AT-1001) is a synthetic tight-junction regulator that improved intestinal barrier function in Phase 2 celiac disease trials with favorable safety. The mechanism—zonula occludens-1 modulation—is specific to epithelial tight junctions without broad immunosuppression. Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain) occur in 10-20% of patients but are typically mild and resolve with dose adjustment or continued exposure. FDA feedback on Phase 3 trials indicated efficacy trends but required additional manufacturing and clinical data before approval consideration.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to larazotide or any component
- Severe gastrointestinal obstruction
- Active untreated infections (may require monitoring)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (limited safety data)
Thymosin Beta-4
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Thymosin Beta-4 is a naturally occurring peptide found in all cells and body fluids in the human body. Clinical trials have demonstrated excellent safety even at very high doses. IV studies showed doses up to 1260 mg were well tolerated with no serious adverse events.
Contraindications
- Active systemic infections
- Severe immunosuppression
- Hypersensitivity to thymosin or any component
- Pregnancy (insufficient safety data)
Which is right for you?
Choose Larazotide if...
- Managing celiac disease symptoms despite strict gluten avoidance
- Reducing accidental gluten exposure damage
- Restoring digestive comfort and nutrient absorption
- Supporting intestinal healing and barrier function
Choose Thymosin Beta-4 if...
- Recovering from injuries or surgery
- Improving wound healing speed
- Reducing inflammation
- Minimizing scar formation