TB-500 is a synthetic version of a fragment of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring peptide studied for its role in cell migration and tissue repair. It is frequently discussed alongside BPC-157 in recovery-focused research contexts, though independent human clinical data remains limited.
The most important fact about this compound
"TB-500" as sold is a synthetic 7-amino-acid fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ, ~889 daltons). Virtually all published research — every study below — was conducted on full-length Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4, the complete 43-amino-acid protein), not on the isolated TB-500 fragment itself. A 2026 scoping review states plainly that no completed controlled human trial has tested the fragment for any indication.
Benefits
Findings below are from studies on full-length Tβ4, not the TB-500 fragment.
Wound healing — animal studies: topical or intraperitoneal Tβ4 increased wound re-epithelialization by 42% at day 4 and up to 61% at day 7 vs. controls, across normal, steroid-impaired, and diabetic models. Malinda et al., J Invest Dermatol, 1999
Ligament repair — animal studies: local delivery of 1μg Tβ4 into a medial collateral ligament injury produced more organized collagen and significantly better biomechanical strength at 4 weeks. Xu et al., Regul Pept, 2013
Reduced scarring — animal studies: treated incision wounds showed more organized collagen and significantly fewer myofibroblasts — the cell type responsible for excess scarring. Ehrlich & Hazard, Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2010
Dry eye — Phase II human RCT (n=72): 0.1% Tβ4 ophthalmic solution over 28 days. Primary endpoints showed no significant difference vs. placebo; secondary endpoints did — discomfort reduced 27% (P=0.0244). No adverse events reported. Sosne & Ousler, Clin Ophthalmol, 2015 This is the one real human RCT for Tβ4 — via an eye drop, not an injection.
Dosage
There is no dose — animal or human — for the actual TB-500 fragment. Every real number found is for full-length Tβ4, in a different context than self-administered subcutaneous TB-500: 1μg via local injection in the ligament study; 0.1% ophthalmic solution in the dry eye trial. Community-use conventions for subcutaneous TB-500 dosing have no traceable study behind them.
Side Effects
The one real human RCT (dry eye, full Tβ4 ophthalmic) reported no adverse events over 28 days. No human safety data exists for the TB-500 fragment itself, at any dose, via any route — a stronger statement than what's true for BPC-157, which at least has three small pilots on the actual product.
TB-500/Thymosin Beta-4 is reported to be classified on FDA's bulk drug substances list as a substance presenting significant safety risk for compounding, and TB4/its derivatives (including TB-500) are reported as WADA-prohibited substances.
Results Timeline
Real animal timepoints, not a human timeline: wound re-epithelialization measurable by day 4, continuing to day 7; ligament biomechanical improvement confirmed at 4 weeks. No human timeline exists for Tβ4/TB-500 at any dose in what's been reviewed here.
What is TB-500 commonly researched for?+
Tissue repair, flexibility, and recovery-related research, largely in preclinical (animal and cell-based) studies rather than human trials.
Is TB-500 the same as BPC-157?+
No, they are different peptides with different origins, often stacked together in research contexts, but they act through different proposed mechanisms.
Is TB-500 banned in sport?+
Yes, thymosin beta-4 and its fragments are treated as prohibited substances under the WADA framework.
Is it better than BPC-157 for recovering from an injury?+
Not really an either/or — they do different jobs. BPC-157 tends to work fast and locally, which suits anything under about 72 hours old.
TB-500 works more broadly across the body and shines on injuries that are chronic or have stalled. That's exactly why most people run them together instead of picking a side.
How do you dose and reconstitute BPC-157 and TB-500 (injectable)?+
The common approach: a 20mg blend vial (10mg of each) mixed with 2mL of bacteriostatic water, dosed once daily at 250-500mcg of each peptide.
When mixing, let the water run gently down the inside of the vial instead of hitting the powder directly — it avoids foaming and protects the peptide. Once mixed, keep it refrigerated and use it within about 28 days.
Injectable or oral?+
Injectable is the well-established route here — it's how essentially all the research and community dosing data exists. There isn't a real oral TB-500 option the way there is for, say, MK-677.
Can I buy this at my local pharmacy?+
No, it's not a shelf product. It's a research compound sold through specialty suppliers, which is exactly what this site compares for you.
Can my physician or sports therapist administer TB-500?+
Some compounding pharmacies and practitioners do work with it, and it's become a bit more common since the FDA lifted its 'significant safety risk' flag on TB-500 in April 2026.
Whether a specific provider will is entirely up to them — worth asking directly rather than assuming either way.
Do professional athletes actually use recovery peptide stacks?+
It's genuinely common, more talked about than published — TB-500 and BPC-157 both circulate widely in strength and combat sports circles for soft-tissue recovery between training blocks.
Better for chronic or acute injuries?+
Chronic, and injuries involving more than one type of tissue. TB-500 works through broad, systemic pathways rather than fast localized repair, which fits a stalled, long-running injury better than a fresh one.
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