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Research-onlyVendors pendingFacts verified · 2026-05-25

Glutathione

Also known as gsh, l-γ-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine, reduced glutathione · Wikipedia

Glutathione (GSH) is the endogenous tripeptide gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine, the major intracellular thiol antioxidant in human cells. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species directly and as a substrate for glutathione peroxidase, supports phase II hepatic detoxification via glutathione-S-transferases, regenerates oxidized vitamins C and E, and maintains cellular redox balance. GSH is not FDA-approved as a standalone drug; the precursor N-acetylcysteine is FDA-approved for acetaminophen toxicity. Glutathione is widely studied in Parkinson's disease, hepatic dysfunction, cystic fibrosis, and oxidative-stress pathology, and is popularly used as an off-label IV cosmetic skin-lightening agent despite FDA warnings. Also known as: GSH; reduced glutathione.

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Mechanism of action

Glutathione is the endogenous tripeptide gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine. The reactive thiol on its cysteine residue donates electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species, both directly and as the rate-limiting substrate for glutathione peroxidase and glutaredoxin systems.

Glutathione is the endogenous tripeptide gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine. The reactive thiol on its cysteine residue donates electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species, both directly and as the rate-limiting substrate for glutathione peroxidase and glutaredoxin systems. GSH conjugates electrophilic xenobiotics during phase II hepatic detoxification via glutathione-S-transferases [Pizzorno 2014 review]. It also regenerates oxidized vitamin C and tocopherol and controls intracellular thiol-disulfide balance; the GSH/GSSG ratio is a canonical biomarker of oxidative stress. Depletion is implicated in Parkinson's disease (Hauser 2009 pilot RCT, PMID 19230029), hepatic injury, and mitochondrial disease. Plasma GSH is hydrolyzed within minutes by gamma-glutamyltransferase, complicating systemic exposure from IV dosing.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Half-life

Plasma GSH half-life ~10 minutes (rapidly hydrolyzed by gamma-glutamyltransferase)

Routes

intravenous · intramuscular · subcutaneous · intranasal · inhaled (nebulized) · oral · liposomal-oral · topical

Bioavailability

Standard oral GSH has poor systemic bioavailability due to gut hydrolysis; liposomal and S-acetyl-glutathione formulations improve absorption. IV is the most bioavailable route. Inhaled/nebulized forms used in cystic fibrosis and pulmonary research.

Amino-acid sequence

gamma-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine (Glu-Cys-Gly)

Use & research dosing

Immune ModulationMitochondrial SupportAnti-AgingFocusRecoveryImmune Support

Research and clinical regimens vary by indication (framing only, not prescriptive): the Hauser PD pilot trial used 1,400 mg IV three times weekly for 4 weeks (PMID 19230029). Skin-lightening IV protocols commonly cited in the literature use 600-2,400 mg IV 1-3 times weekly, despite FDA warnings on this off-label use. Inhaled/nebulized GSH has been studied in cystic fibrosis at 100-200 mg/mL. Oral liposomal or S-acetyl GSH supplements typically deliver 250-1,000 mg/day. Acetaminophen toxicity is treated with NAC (oral or IV) rather than GSH itself.

Research-use framing only. SavePeptides sells nothing for human consumption. Doses above reflect reported research / self-experimentation ranges, not clinical recommendations.

Editorial perspective

Glutathione meets the technical definition of a peptide (gamma-glutamyl tripeptide) but is unusual in being an endogenous metabolite rather than a designed therapeutic. Oral N-acetylcysteine has more rigorous evidence for raising tissue GSH and is the standard-of-care precursor (FDA-approved for acetaminophen overdose and used investigationally in Parkinson's disease). The Hauser 2009 IV pilot trial demonstrated tolerability but no clear clinical benefit. IV skin-lightening use remains a major regulatory concern, with both US and Philippines FDA warnings.

— SavePeptides editorial desk · last updated 2026-05-25

Cautions & contraindications

Before researching this compound, note:

  • FDA has not approved IV glutathione for skin-lightening; Philippines FDA and US FDA have issued public warnings citing serious adverse events
  • rapid IV push can cause hypotension and bronchospasm in sensitive individuals
  • anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson-like reactions reported in case reports
  • asthma exacerbation reported with inhaled / nebulized GSH
  • compounded sterile injectable preparations vary widely in identity, potency, and endotoxin content
  • supraphysiologic IV exposure can induce reductive stress and theoretically impair mitochondrial and immune function
  • sulfa-allergic patients should be approached with caution due to thiol moiety reactivity
  • switch from eumelanin to pheomelanin with chronic high-dose exposure may increase UV-induced skin cancer risk
  • avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding without specialist supervision
  • interferes with cisplatin and some other chemotherapeutic regimens that depend on oxidative cytotoxicity

Research foundation

The papers behind the page.

  1. [01]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19230029/
  2. [02]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27499402/
  3. [03]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40013212/
  4. [04]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23860343/

Facts verified

2026-05-25

Confidence

medium

What this means

  • IV skin-lightening use carries FDA / Philippines FDA safety warnings

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