VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) dosing & administration
Endogenous neuropeptide with vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Dosing
How much do I take?
Subcutaneous injection: A small injection into the fatty layer just under the skin — the same way insulin is given.
Bioavailability High — most of the dose reaches your bloodstream, just more gradually than an IV.
50 mcg
Frequency
Twice daily (morning and evening)
Duration
Ongoing per protocol
Common research/community practice dose for systemic/peripheral effects (approx., not from a controlled trial).
Timing
Best time to take
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is administered intravenously in a clinical setting. [1] Timing is determined by your healthcare provider based on the treatment protocol and your medical needs.
With food?
IV administration of VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is not dependent on meal timing. Your healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding food and fluid intake around treatment sessions.
If stacking
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
Adjusting your dose
Increase if
- You've tolerated the current dose for the recommended period without significant side effects
- Therapeutic goals haven't been met at the current dose level
- Your healthcare provider recommends dose escalation based on your response
- Lab work or clinical assessments support a higher dose
Decrease if
- Side effects are bothersome or impacting daily life despite management strategies
- You experience any signs of an adverse reaction
- Lab results indicate the need for dose reduction
- Your healthcare provider recommends a lower dose based on your response
Signs of right dose
- Therapeutic goals being met with minimal side effects
- Stable and consistent response to treatment
- Lab values or clinical markers trending in the right direction
- Good tolerance with manageable or absent side effects
Administration
How do I use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue just under the skin)—allows for consistent absorption and can be self-administered at home after proper training
Best sites
Storage
Before reconstitution
Store VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) in the refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in its original packaging. Protect from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Check the expiration date before use. Some formulations may be stored at room temperature for limited periods—check your specific product labeling.
After reconstitution
Once reconstituted, VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) should be kept refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) and used within the timeframe specified on your product labeling (typically 14-28 days). Label the vial with the reconstitution date. Do not use if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.
Signs of degradation — discard the vial
Sample daily schedule
As prescribed (once daily)
As prescribed by your healthcare provider injection
Site: Intravenous infusion—rotate sites if applicable
Maintain a consistent schedule for optimal results with VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide). Set reminders if needed. If you miss a dose, follow your healthcare provider's instructions—do not double up on doses to compensate.
Safety
Is it safe?
Side effects
Commonly reported: Facial Flushing, Diarrhea, Nausea
Less common: Hypotension, Tachycardia, Cardiovascular Effects
Stop and seek help if
- Severe or worsening side effects that don't improve with dose adjustment or supportive care
- Signs of an allergic reaction—rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing
- Your healthcare provider recommends discontinuation based on your clinical response
- Development of any new medical condition that may be contraindicated with VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant (unless specifically approved for use during pregnancy)
- Abnormal lab results or clinical markers that suggest adverse effects
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Flagged pairings
- Antihypertensive Medications — Additive hypotensive effects may cause dangerous blood pressure drops requiring careful hemodynamic monitoring
- PDE5 Inhibitors — Combined vasodilation through different mechanisms may cause severe hypotension
- Vasoconstrictors — Pharmacological antagonism with VIP vasodilatory effects may reduce therapeutic efficacy of both agents
Published research
What the studies show
Youssef JG, et al. · 2022
Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) showed two-fold odds of improved survival in COVID-19 respiratory failure patients at day 60 versus placebo. Respiratory distress improved and interleukin-6 cytokine release was reduced by day 3.
Petkov V, et al. · 2003
Vasoactive intestinal peptide treatment decreased pulmonary artery pressure, increased cardiac output by 40%, and improved mixed venous oxygen saturation. VIP deficiency was documented in patient plasma and lung tissue.
Hou X, et al. · 2022
VIP stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion by binding VPAC2 receptors on pancreatic beta cells and promotes beta-cell proliferation. VPAC2-selective agonists show potential as novel hypoglycemic drugs.
White CM, et al. · 2010
No abstract available for comprehensive analysis.
He Y, et al. · 2022
VIP demonstrates potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties against SARS-CoV-2, HIV, RSV, and other viruses. Its peptide-based nature offers high efficacy with low toxic side effects.
NeuroRx Inc. / Relief Therapeutics; ClinicalTrials.gov · 2020
Petkov V, Mosgoeller W, Ziesche R, et al. · 2003
Said SI, Mutt V · 1970
Original isolation of VIP from hog small intestine. The peptide has 28 amino acid residues and is chemically distinct from the kinins, substance P, glucagon and secretin. Its actions include systemic vasodilation, hypotension, increased cardiac output, respiratory stimulation and hyperglycemia.
Harmar AJ, Fahrenkrug J, Gozes I, et al. · 2012
VIP and PACAP belong to a superfamily of structurally related peptide hormones that includes glucagon, glucagon-like peptides, secretin, GIP and GHRH. They act through three class B GPCRs: PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2. PAC1 is selective for PACAP, whereas VPAC1 and VPAC2 respond to both VIP and PACAP with high affinity. The peptides have roles in the CNS and in the control of immunity, inflammation and pancreatic insulin secretion.
Domschke S, Domschke W, Bloom SR, et al. · 1978
Graded IV VIP infusions in healthy volunteers. After the infusions plasma VIP fell by first-order kinetics with an average disappearance half-time of one minute. During the highest dose the pulse rate and the amplitude of blood pressure were increased and cutaneous flushing occurred.
Unwin RJ, Reed T, Thom S, Calam J, Peart WS · 1987
Intravenous VIP (6 pmol/kg/min) in healthy male volunteers produced cutaneous flushing, increased heart rate and plasma renin activity, and decreased forearm vascular resistance. The measured cardiovascular responses to VIP infusion in man are probably direct.
Smitherman TC, Popma JJ, Said SI, Krejs GJ, Dehmer GJ · 1989
Intravenous VIP in men lowered coronary, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances and significantly raised myocardial oxygen uptake. Intracoronary VIP reduced coronary vascular resistance by up to 46% without an increase in myocardial oxygen uptake, indicating both direct and indirect effects.
Leceta J, Gomariz RP, Martinez C, Abad C, Ganea D, Delgado M · 2000
VIP and PACAP inhibit production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-12 and nitric oxide and stimulate IL-10 in macrophages. Effects on TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-12 and NO are mostly mediated through VPAC1, with VPAC2 also participating; IL-6 inhibition runs mainly through PAC1 and PKC.
Delgado M, Munoz-Elias EJ, Gomariz RP, Ganea D · 1999
VIP/PACAP enhance IL-10 production in LPS-stimulated macrophages through VPAC1, with cAMP as the major second messenger. The neuropeptides increase nuclear CRE-binding complexes with CREB as the major active component; a protein kinase A inhibitor abolishes both IL-10 stimulation and the increase in CRE binding.
Delgado M, Ganea D · 2003
In the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson disease, VIP treatment significantly decreased dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta and nigrostriatal nerve-fiber loss, and prevented MPTP-induced microglial activation and expression of iNOS, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.
Olson KE, Kosloski-Bilek LM, Anderson KM, et al. · 2015
A VPAC2-selective agonist produced the most pronounced reduction in microglial responses and increased neuronal sparing in MPTP-intoxicated mice, with reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release (IL-17A, IL-6, IFN-gamma) and a shift from effector to regulatory T cells. VPAC2 activation attenuates microglial activation and slows degradation of neuronal cell bodies and termini.
Song M, Xiong JX, Wang YY, Tang J, Zhang B, Bai Y · 2012
VIP increased microglial phagocytosis of fibrillar Abeta42 and suppressed TNF-alpha and nitric oxide release from activated microglia. VIP overexpression in the hippocampus of APPsw/PS1 transgenic mice significantly reduced amyloid load in this Alzheimer disease model.
Prasse A, Zissel G, Lutzen N, et al. · 2010
Open phase II study of nebulized VIP for 4 weeks in 20 patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis. VIP inhalation was safe, well tolerated, and significantly reduced TNF-alpha production by bronchoalveolar lavage cells while increasing regulatory T cells.
Leuchte HH, Baezner C, Baumgartner RA, et al. · 2008
Twenty patients with pulmonary hypertension inhaled a single 100 microgram dose of aviptadil during right-heart catheterisation. The aerosol caused selective pulmonary vasodilation with improved stroke volume and mixed venous oxygen saturation, did not cause any side-effects and did not affect systemic blood pressure.
Iwasaki M, Akiba Y, Kaunitz JD · 2019
Review of VIP as a gut peptide originally reported as a vasodilator in 1970, with effects on neuronal, epithelial and endocrine cell function that regulate ion secretion, nutrient absorption, gut motility, glycemic control, immune responses and circadian rhythms. Genetic ablation of the peptide and its receptors in mice informs the pathogenesis of related diseases, including colitis.
Karele EN · 2023
VIP-secreting tumours are characterised by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and achlorhydria caused by the non-regulated increased secretion of VIP.
Duan JX, Guan XX, Yang HH, et al. · 2021
VIP overexpression attenuated bleomycin-induced lung tissue destruction, reduced extracellular matrix deposition and suppressed TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial cells, supporting inhaled long-acting VIP as a candidate anti-fibrotic drug for pulmonary fibrosis.
Fraccaroli L, Grasso E, Hauk V, et al. · 2015
VIP increased the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and of CD4+IL10+ and CD4+TGF-beta+ cells; the increase in regulatory T cells was prevented by an anti-TGF-beta antibody, indicating a mechanism involving TGF-beta1.
NeuroRx, Inc. / RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding AG · 2020
Announced 24 June 2020: the FDA awarded Fast Track Designation to NeuroRx for the investigation of RLF-100 (Aviptadil) for the treatment of acute lung injury / acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with COVID-19. RLF-100 (Aviptadil) is described as a synthetic form of human Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide.
NRx Pharmaceuticals / Relief Therapeutics; ClinicalTrials.gov · 2020
Phase 2/3 study of inhaled aviptadil dosed at 100 micrograms three times daily by mesh nebulizer (300 micrograms per day).
Relief Therapeutics / NeuroRx; ClinicalTrials.gov · 2020
Phase 2 study of nebulized aviptadil dosed at 67 micrograms three times a day for ten days.
Korkmaz OT, Ay H, Ulupinar E, Tuncel N · 2012
In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, systemically administered VIP significantly increased the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase-immunostained neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the spine density of striatal medium spiny neurons; earlier work from the group showed VIP reversing motor deficits and decreasing neuronal cell death in the same model.
Head to head
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) compared
Studied for
Conditions VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) has been researched in
Want the full picture?
The complete VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) research profile: mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.