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AHK-Cu Prices

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45 vendors with a listing · 23 with an issuer-verified COA · lowest 10mg from $19.80 · checked

Where to buy AHK-Cu: 45 vendors compared

45 vendors match the selected filters
Prices for AHK-Cu by vendor
VendorPriceActions
Ararat Peptides 4/10
$19.80 $22.00 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Ararat Peptides
Amino Club 10/10
Verified COA ILS Laboratories · Purity 99.78%View COA		$20.99 $34.99 −40% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Amino Club
Molecula Labs 8.5/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$23.84 $26.49 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Molecula Labs
Modern Research Peptides 9/10
7-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, Sterility, Fentanyl screenView COA		$24.74 $32.99 −25% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Modern Research Peptides
Studz Peptides 9/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$25.19 $27.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Studz Peptides
OneDay Compounds 9.5/10
7-test panel COA verified ILS LaboratoriesPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, Sterility, Fentanyl screenView COA		$26.99 $29.99 −10% · code peptideprices 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from OneDay Compounds
PS Peptides 9/10
4-test panel COA verified North American DiagnosticsPurity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metalsView COA		$26.99 $29.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from PS Peptides
Vector Amino Labs 8.5/10
$27.00 $30.00 −10% · code JINAVWGXN0 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Vector Amino Labs
Red River Peptides 8.5/10
$28.04 $32.99 −15% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Red River Peptides
HLX Labs 7.5/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$31.49 $34.99 −10% · code peptideprices 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from HLX Labs
American Amino & Peptides 8/10
4-test panel COA verified ILS LaboratoriesPurity, Identity, Content, Fentanyl screenView COA		$31.50 $35.00 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from American Amino & Peptides
PuraSynth Labs 9/10
5-test panel COA verified Kovera LabsPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Fentanyl screenView COA		$31.99 $39.99 −20% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from PuraSynth Labs
Rocky Mountain Compounds 7.5/10
4-test panel COA verified Kovera LabsPurity, Identity, Content, EndotoxinView COA		$32.50 $37.50 $5.00 off · code peptideprices 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Rocky Mountain Compounds
Elytra Labs 7.5/10
$33.25 $35.00 −5% · code PEPTIDEP5 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Elytra Labs
PeptidePharm 10/10
$33.74 $44.99 −25% · code peptideprices 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from PeptidePharm
MS Peptides 7.5/10
$35.09 $38.99 −10% · code peptideprices 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from MS Peptides
Petratide Science 9/10
7-test panel COA verified ILS LaboratoriesPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, Sterility, Fentanyl screenView COA		$35.95 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Petratide Science
Ivory Labs 8/10
$36.00 $40.00 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Ivory Labs
Purgo Labs 9.5/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$38.24 $44.99 −15% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Purgo Labs
Peptide Maxxing 9/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$38.25 $45.00 −15% · code PEPTIDEPRICES15 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Peptide Maxxing
Elev8 Lab 8/10
$38.45 $42.72 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES10 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Elev8 Lab
ResearchPeps 9/10
6-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, SterilityView COA		$38.50 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from ResearchPeps
CertaPeptides 8.5/10
2-test panel COA verified JanoshikPurity, ContentView COA		$40.40 $44.89 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from CertaPeptides
Disguised Alpha 9.5/10
7-test panel COA verified ILS LaboratoriesPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, Sterility, Fentanyl screenView COA		$40.49 $44.99 −10% · code peptidep 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Disguised Alpha
Omega Peptides 9/10
6-test panel COA verified LiquilabsPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, SterilityView COA		$44.53 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Omega Peptides
EZ Peps 10/10
5-test panel COA verified Kovera LabsPurity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metals, SterilityView COA		$45.04 $52.99 −15% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from EZ Peps
Regenix Peptides 8/10
$46.76 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Regenix Peptides
NextEdge Peptides 9/10
4-test panel COA verified Trace Helix AnalyticalPurity, Identity, Content, EndotoxinView COA		$50.69 $63.36 −20% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from NextEdge Peptides
Dual Aminos 8/10
3-test panel COA on file Freedom Diagnostics · Issuer record not foundPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$50.99 $59.99 −15% · code peptideprices 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Dual Aminos
Peak Lab Peptides 9/10
3-test panel COA verified Bioviridian Inc.Purity, Identity, ContentView COA		$51.00 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Peak Lab Peptides
Y&P Labs 8/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$53.99 $59.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Y&P Labs
Nationwide Peptides 6/10
$54.90 $61.00 −10% · code peptideprices 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Nationwide Peptides
Swift Peptides 7.5/10
$56.24 $74.99 −25% · code peptideprices25 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Swift Peptides
VAYN 7/10
$60.00 $75.00 −20% · code peptideprices 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from VAYN
Peptide Titans 8/10
$62.99 $69.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRI 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Peptide Titans
Alpha Carbon Labs 7.5/10
$70.00 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Alpha Carbon Labs
Ultima Life 8.5/10
5-test panel COA verified JanoshikPurity, Identity, Content, Endotoxin, Heavy metalsView COA		$70.29 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Ultima Life
Atlas Longevity 7.5/10
$74.27 $82.52 −10% · code JACKRYAN10 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Atlas Longevity
Elite RX Labs 6/10
$75.00 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Elite RX Labs
Summit Research Supply 8/10
$77.39 $85.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Summit Research Supply
Rebirth Labs 9/10
3-test panel COA verified Freedom DiagnosticsPurity, Identity, ContentView COA		$80.99 $89.99 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Rebirth Labs
BergdorfBio 4.5/10
$82.72 $91.91 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from BergdorfBio
Essential Research Labs 6.5/10
$83.99 $119.99 −30% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 1000mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Essential Research Labs
Peptides Costa Rica 7.5/10
$90.00 $100.00 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 50mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from Peptides Costa Rica
NeuroLabs 8.5/10
$92.52 $102.80 −10% · code PEPTIDEPRICES 100mg package Checked Buy AHK-Cu from NeuroLabs

AHK-Cu listing prices

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Current market data

AHK-Cu Price Report

How this report is calculated

The headline and median use each vendor's lowest whole-package checkout cost to obtain at least 10mg. Smaller packages are multiplied until the target is met, while larger packages retain their full checkout price. The lowest package total is shown only as secondary context because package sizes differ. Known public coupon discounts are applied. Shipping, tax, and unverified promotions are excluded. COA coverage counts vendors with an exact compound-and-strength match in the listing-evidence projection; report dates and lot identifiers remain specific to each certificate.

Compare current AHK-Cu prices and matching laboratory evidence.

Checked through

The lowest current 10mg cost for AHK-Cu is $19.80 from Ararat Peptides. The median across vendors is $40.40.

Lowest 10mg cost
$19.80Ararat Peptides
Median 10mg cost
$40.40One normalized offer per vendor
Lowest package total
$19.80Ararat Peptides · package size may differ
Vendors with matching verified COAs
23of 45 vendors · AHK-Cu

What the market shows

PeptidePrices found 50 in-stock listings from 45 vendors, checked through Oct 29, 2026. The lowest 10mg cost is 51% below the vendor median of $40.40; 22 vendors (49%) fall below that median. 23 of 45 vendors (51%) have an exact issuer-verified COA for at least one listed AHK-Cu strength.

Open the Peptide Market IndexCompare two compoundsRead the calculation notes

Research and literature

AHK-Cu: The Copper-Binding Tripeptide Studied for Hair Growth

Updated  · Written by and

AHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid copper peptide and a synthetic relative of the natural tripeptide GHK. Its peptide portion is AHK, which differs from GHK by a single methyl group: alanine takes the place of glycine at the first position, while the histidine and lysine that define the family stay the same [1]. Copper is an essential cofactor for lysyl oxidase, the enzyme that crosslinks collagen and elastin, and copper peptides are studied as a way to deliver it to skin and hair tissue [2].

The peer-reviewed AHK-Cu literature centers on a 2007 study, when Pyo HK and colleagues at Seoul National University College of Medicine reported that the complex lengthened human hair follicles kept alive outside the body and stimulated cultured dermal papilla cells [5]. The peptide is modeled on GHK, the natural tripeptide whose tissue-regenerative activity Loren Pickart identified in 1973; GHK occurs in human plasma, saliva and urine, where its concentration falls with age [3][4]. The 2026 review of hair-loss peptides still cites that 2007 paper as the primary AHK-Cu evidence [3].

The research question is narrow and specific: hair-follicle growth and the survival of the dermal papilla cells that support that growth [5]. As of October 2026, AHK-Cu remains a research peptide with cosmetic hair and skin claims. The 2026 review of hair-loss peptides counts it as experimental evidence rather than a medicine, the only registered human study is a combination serum, and the compound does not appear on FDA's 503A bulk substances list [3][6][7]. The registered study is designed to test a topical serum that contains AHK-Cu, GHK-Cu and three other peptides, so it cannot separate the contribution of any single peptide [6].

Key takeaways

  • AHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid copper peptide and a synthetic relative of GHK, the natural tripeptide found in plasma, saliva and urine [1][4].
  • A 2007 laboratory study reported that AHK-Cu lengthened human hair follicles and increased dermal papilla cell proliferation; the 2026 review still cites it as the primary AHK-Cu evidence [5][3].
  • As of October 2026, a single registered early-phase study is set to test a five-peptide serum that includes AHK-Cu, and the compound has no medicine classification and no place on FDA's 503A list [6][3][7].

How it works

A tripeptide built to carry copper

AHK-Cu is a peptide with a metal attached. Copper ions bind at the free amino end of a peptide, and the histidine side chain helps hold them there. The imidazole ring is the five-membered ring in histidine that grips metal ions. In solution, the GHK complex holds copper through three nitrogen ligands, the free amino end, one backbone amide nitrogen and the imidazole ring of histidine; in the solid state a labile oxygen fills the fourth position [8]. The same histidine-anchored arrangement is the working model for AHK-Cu [1].

The first residue is where the two peptides part. GHK starts with glycine, AHK with alanine, a change of one methyl group on the side chain [1]. That substitution leaves the copper-binding histidine and the lysine side chain in place; the 2026 review describes the AHK-Cu evidence base as thin and poorly characterized [1].

Copper binding is not just a delivery device. GHK is a high-affinity copper chelator found in blood plasma, and at a strongly negative potential its complex can be reduced and release copper in vitro, while the copper complex of the albumin-derived peptide resists that release [8][1]. That balance between holding and releasing copper sits at the center of the safety question for the whole family [1].

Dermal papilla cells and hair-follicle growth

The hair follicle is a small organ with a growth, regression and rest cycle, and the dermal papilla is the cluster of specialized fibroblasts at its base [3]. A dermal papilla cell is a specialized fibroblast in that cluster, and it is important in the morphogenesis and growth of the hair follicle [5].

The 2007 study kept human hair follicles alive outside the body, a setup called ex vivo culture, and measured how much the hair shaft lengthened [5]. AHK-Cu from 10^-12 to 10^-9 M increased elongation and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells [5].

The paper proposed that the growth came from more cell division and less cell death in the dermal papilla [5]. The abstract does not name a receptor or a signaling protein, and the 2026 review says AHK-Cu's mechanism is less well characterized than GHK-Cu's [3].

Apoptosis and the Bcl-2 switch

AHK-Cu may keep dermal papilla cells alive by shifting the proteins that decide whether a cell undergoes apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell death, the orderly self-destruction that removes damaged cells; the 2007 study measured Bcl-2 and Bax, two proteins that balance the decision to undergo apoptosis [5].

At 10^-9 M, AHK-Cu raised the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax and reduced the cleaved forms of caspase-3 and PARP, two enzymes that carry out or report apoptosis [5]. A 2026 systematic review tabulates the reductions as 42.7 percent for caspase-3 and 77.5 percent for PARP [2]. The same study counted apoptotic cells with annexin V and propidium iodide and saw fewer of them, but the drop was not statistically significant [5].

The protein markers moved in the expected direction while the direct cell-death count did not reach statistical significance, so one study leaves the anti-apoptotic claim suggestive rather than settled [5]. The abstract does not name a receptor, transporter or enzyme for AHK-Cu, and the 2026 reviews describe the evidence base as thin and the mechanism as less well characterized than GHK-Cu's [1][3].

What has been studied in humans

No published study has given AHK-Cu alone to humans. The only registered human study that includes it is NCT07888595, a single-group early-phase 1 trial that is designed to test a topical anti-aging serum containing AHK-Cu, GHK-Cu and three other peptides alongside systemic agents [6]. It plans to enroll 48 healthy adults aged 50 or older and to compare treated skin sites with untreated sites on the same person [6].

The primary endpoint is a change in START/REST biological age, not hair growth [6]. START and REST are aging-clock scores; the registry measures a transcriptomic age from gene expression by qPCR and a proteomic age from a plasma protein ELISA panel [6]. The registry describes a serum applied to defined skin sites, and it also lists oral or injected metformin, chloroquine, ivermectin or nutritional supplements [6]. That design mixes several interventions, so even a positive result would not be attributable to AHK-Cu [6]. The trial has posted no results; its estimated start is October 21, 2026 and its estimated completion is October 14, 2028, at one site in Irvine, California [6].

The 2007 work used human hair follicles and dermal papilla cells outside the body, which is human cells and tissue rather than a human trial [5]. It shows a response in human tissue and leaves open whether a topical product delivers an active concentration to a living follicle [5][6].

Doses studied in human trials

As of October 2026, AHK-Cu remains an experimental copper peptide with cosmetic hair and skin claims and no completed clinical trial of its own. The cards below give the concentrations tested and the design of the one registered study; no results are posted for that study.

Concentration in culture

10^-12 to 10^-9 M

Human hair follicles maintained outside the body and cultured human dermal papilla cells

Lab and animal studies

The preclinical literature on AHK-Cu rests on one primary paper. Pyo and colleagues tested AHK-Cu on human hair follicles in ex vivo culture and on dermal papilla cells in cell culture [5]. Hair-shaft elongation was one readout, and cell proliferation was the other [5]. AHK-Cu from 10^-12 to 10^-9 M increased both [5].

The apoptosis experiments used 10^-9 M and counted dying cells with annexin V and propidium iodide, which mark cells that have lost membrane asymmetry or membrane integrity [5]. The treated groups had fewer apoptotic cells, but the difference was not statistically significant [5]. Bcl-2 rose relative to Bax, and the cleaved forms of caspase-3 and PARP fell [5]. The 2026 systematic review of GHK-Cu lists a 42.7 percent caspase-3 reduction and a 77.5 percent PARP reduction, figures it draws from the 2007 paper [2].

The 2026 hair-loss review still cites the 2007 study as the primary AHK-Cu work and lists only ex vivo and cell-culture experiments for it [3]. The 2026 GHK-Cu review describes the AHK-Cu evidence base as thin and poorly characterized [1]. The animal evidence belongs to GHK-Cu. In 24 rats with full-thickness wounds inside an ischemic skin flap, a 2 percent GHK-Cu gel reduced wound area compared with vehicle and control, and treated wounds had lower TNF-alpha and the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 than control wounds [9]. At day 13 the GHK-Cu group's wound area had decreased by 64.5 percent, against 45.6 percent for vehicle and 28.2 percent for control [9].

Copper tripeptide safety data also come from GHK-Cu. In the QR678 hair-formulation work, copper tripeptide-1 produced no cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes or fibroblasts up to 10,000 ppm, and the same paper cites the 2007 AHK-Cu follicle study as rationale without testing AHK-Cu [10]. A 2021 review states that AHK-Cu reduced TGF-beta1 and raised VEGF in vitro [13]. The 2007 abstract mentions VEGF and TGF-beta1 only as background properties of the tripeptide-copper complex; it does not report either as an AHK-Cu measurement.

A 2026 review lists a wider concentration range, 10^-13 to 10^-7 M, than the abstract's 10^-12 to 10^-9 M [3][5]. The GHK-Cu skin and hair evidence roundup covers the larger literature around it.

Research in detail

The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro

Ex vivo human hair follicle organ culture and cultured human dermal papilla cells · Human hair follicles maintained outside the body and cultured human dermal papilla cells

AHK-Cu at 10^-12 to 10^-9 M increased hair-shaft elongation and dermal papilla cell proliferation; at 10^-9 M it raised the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced cleaved caspase-3 and PARP.

Evidence scope: Abstract reviewed; full text not read. Donor number, follicle counts, effect sizes and P values are not reported in the abstract.

Systemic and Topical Geroprotective Rejuvenation Assessed by START/REST Aging Clocks

Single-group, open-label early-phase 1 trial · 48 healthy adults aged 50 or older, estimated enrollment

The trial will compare treated skin sites with untreated sites and measure change in START/REST biological age, from transcriptomic and proteomic clocks, at 4 weeks; no results are posted.

Evidence scope: Registry record reviewed; no results posted. The serum contains five peptides plus systemic agents, so AHK-Cu cannot be isolated, and no hair-growth or skin-appearance outcome is listed.

The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds

Experimental rat wound study with three groups · 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with full-thickness wounds in an ischemic skin flap

A 2 percent GHK-Cu gel reduced wound area versus vehicle and control; at day 13 wound area had decreased by 64.5 percent with GHK-Cu, 45.6 percent with vehicle and 28.2 percent with control, and treated wounds had lower TNF-alpha and the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 than control wounds.

Evidence scope: Abstract reviewed; full text not read. The peptide was GHK-Cu; AHK-Cu was not tested. The model is an ischemic rat wound rather than human skin.

History and where it stands today

AHK-Cu's timeline runs from the discovery of GHK to a single registered trial.

  1. 1973Loren Pickart identified the tissue-regenerative activity of GHK, the natural tripeptide that AHK-Cu is modeled on, in 1973 [3]. GHK occurs in plasma, saliva and urine and declines with age [4].
  2. 2007Pyo and colleagues at Seoul National University College of Medicine published the AHK-Cu study that later reviews cite as primary evidence, reporting that the complex lengthened human hair follicles outside the body and stimulated cultured dermal papilla cells [5][3].
  3. May 2026FDA's 503A bulk substances table, updated May 14, 2026, lists GHK-Cu for non-injectable routes in Category 1 and carries no AHK-Cu entry in any category [7].
  4. October 2026A single-group early-phase trial of a topical serum containing AHK-Cu, GHK-Cu and three other peptides registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, with an estimated start of October 21, 2026 and no posted results [6].
  5. October 2026As of October 2026, AHK-Cu remains a research peptide with cosmetic hair and skin claims, no FDA 503A entry and no medicine classification [1][7][3]. WADA's 2026 list does not name it, though S0 covers substances with no government approval for human therapeutic use and S2 covers related substances; the NCAA 2026-27 list bans chemically or pharmacologically related substances under its peptide-hormone class, and the NCAA banned-substances page covers that class [11][12].

GHK-Cu (copper peptide)

GHK-Cu is the copper complex of the natural tripeptide GHK, differing from AHK-Cu by a single methyl group on the first residue [1]. It has a much larger literature, including a 45-patient androgenetic alopecia study cited by a 2026 review, while AHK-Cu has one primary study [3][2]. See GHK-Cu.

PTD-DBM

PTD-DBM blocks the CXXC5-Dishevelled interaction and switches on Wnt/beta-catenin signaling [3]. Topical PTD-DBM with a GSK-3beta inhibitor promoted hair regrowth in C3H mice, and the 2026 review classes it as experimental evidence [3]. AHK-Cu acts on dermal papilla cell survival, and its pathway is less well defined, so the two are different experimental routes to the same follicle [5][3]. See PTD-DBM.

Matrixyl (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4)

Matrixyl is a palmitoylated peptide rather than a copper complex, and a 2026 review lists collagen I and III synthesis in human fibroblast cultures as its main readout [2]. AHK-Cu pairs a peptide with copper and is studied mainly for hair-follicle growth [1][5]. The metal-free peptide avoids copper redox reactions but gives up the copper-dependent enzyme effects that copper peptides may provide [1]. See Matrixyl.

Side effects and safety signals

The AHK-Cu safety record is thin because the human record is thin.

  • No completed study has given AHK-Cu alone to humans, so there are no human adverse-event data for the single compound [6][3].
  • The only registered human study uses a five-peptide serum, and that trial has posted no results; a reaction in it could not be assigned to AHK-Cu [6].
  • Copper can be redox-active: at a strongly negative potential, the GHK complex can be reduced and release its copper, and loose copper can generate damaging oxygen species [8][1].
  • Copper tripeptide-1, the GHK-Cu complex, produced no cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts up to 10,000 ppm; that result is for GHK-Cu, and the study did not test AHK-Cu [10].
  • The 2026 reviews do not report a skin-penetration measurement for AHK-Cu. The registered trial chose peptides below a commonly cited size cutoff, which is a rationale rather than a delivery measurement [6].
  • Copper occupancy, free copper and purity are often not reported for copper peptides, and the 2026 GHK-Cu review argues that these gaps make cross-study comparisons hard [1]. The COA library collects the tests vendors publish.

The future: what's next for AHK-Cu

The only registered human study is NCT07888595, the single-group trial of a five-peptide serum that includes AHK-Cu [6]. It is enrolling by invitation at one site in Irvine, California, with an estimated start of October 21, 2026 and completion of October 14, 2028 [6]. Its endpoints are biological-age clocks, senescence markers and cytokines; none is a hair count, so it will not settle whether AHK-Cu grows hair [6].

No FDA action specific to AHK-Cu is listed. The compound has no entry on FDA's 503A bulk substances table, while GHK-Cu for non-injectable routes sits in Category 1, and FDA intends to consult its Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee on GHK-Cu before the end of February 2027 [7]. Category 1 is a list of substances under evaluation, not an approval [7].

A first-in-human study of AHK-Cu alone would need a measured exposure, a pharmacokinetic arm and a hair or skin endpoint. The 2007 work supplies a concentration range and cell readouts; it does not establish a dose [5]. Delivery is the other gap: the 2026 reviews do not report how much AHK-Cu crosses skin [1][3].

  • Whether AHK-Cu grows hair in humans, and at what exposure, is untested [5][6].
  • Which protein or pathway AHK-Cu engages is not identified in the 2007 study [5][3].
  • Copper affinity and release are measured for GHK; the reviews report no such measurement for AHK-Cu [8][1].
  • The 2026 reviews do not compare AHK-Cu with GHK-Cu in skin or hair [1][3].
  • What concentration is safe and tolerable for topical use is not established by any completed human study [3][6].

Price, research & COA

Quick answers about AHK-Cu

Price answers use the live price, vendor, and certificate data on this page. Research answers cite the numbered sources below.

What is the cheapest AHK-Cu listing?

Molecula Labs has the lowest 100mg listing at $23.84, checked October 29, 2026.

You can view the cheapest prices for other strengths and sizes in the table directly below.

Cheapest in-stock listing by strength
StrengthVendorPriceChecked
50mgArarat Peptides$19.80October 29, 2026
100mgMolecula Labs$23.84October 29, 2026

Prices apply known public coupon codes; shipping and tax are not included.

Compare current listings →

How much does AHK-Cu cost?

PeptidePrices currently compares 45 tracked vendors for AHK-Cu. The median 100mg price is $40.94, checked on October 29, 2026, from a sample of 34 vendors.

You can view the median cost for other strengths and sizes beneath.

Median in-stock price by strength
StrengthMedianVendorsPrice range
50mg$40.2714$19.80 to $90.00
100mg$40.9434$23.84 to $92.52

Prices apply known public coupon codes; shipping and tax are not included.

Compare current listings →

Which AHK-Cu vendor is best?

No single vendor is best for every researcher. Compare AHK-Cu vendors on total cost, PeptidePrices quality rating, attached COA evidence, payment options, shipping, and how recently the listing was checked. We encourage researchers to read through our vendor reviews and inspect the attached COAs before making a decision. You can review our methodology here.

Should I pick an AHK-Cu vendor with a COA?

Yes. The PeptidePrices editorial team generally recommends that researchers only purchase from vendors with COAs attached to their AHK-Cu listing. If a vendor with a COA doesn't meet all of your buying needs, that's all right: AHK-Cu currently has 23 vendors with an in-stock listing that carries a matched COA. Without leaving this page, you can open each matched certificate PDF in the on-page viewer and see the issuing laboratory, report date and test panel. You can also read our independent analysis of purity, content, identity, endotoxin and the other panels, then follow the link to verify the certificate on the lab's own record.

Compare listings and their COAs →

How do I find the cheapest AHK-Cu for the size I want?

The comparison table lists all 45 tracked vendors for AHK-Cu, sorted by price. Use Size to compare one or more vial strengths, Ships to for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, the EU or international destinations, and Payment method for credit or debit card, ACH or bank transfer, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, cryptocurrency or Interac e-Transfer.

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How can I check the COA on a AHK-Cu listing?

A vendor's certificate of analysis is attached to its listing when it matches the exact compound, strength and unit. 23 of the 45 vendors currently have an issuer-verified certificate attached. Open it to read the full certificate in an on-page viewer you can zoom, with our summary of the reported results beside it: purity, content and identity, plus endotoxin, sterility, heavy metals and fentanyl screens when the vendor had them tested. To check it yourself, follow the link to the laboratory's own verification record, where the laboratory publishes one, and to the original certificate on the vendor's site.

Open a listing's COA →

Has AHK-Cu been tested in humans?

No published study has given AHK-Cu alone to humans. One registered early-phase trial is set to test a five-peptide topical serum that includes it, and that trial has posted no results [6]. The 2007 work used human hair follicles and cells outside the body, which is human material rather than a human trial [5].

Is AHK-Cu the same as GHK-Cu?

No. Both are tripeptide-copper complexes, but GHK starts with glycine and AHK with alanine, a one-carbon difference [1]. GHK is the natural peptide found in plasma, saliva and urine, and its literature is much larger, including human hair studies [4][3]. AHK-Cu is a synthetic relative with one primary laboratory study [5].

Is AHK-Cu banned in sport?

The 2026 WADA Prohibited List does not name AHK-Cu. Its S0 class covers any substance with no current government approval for human therapeutic use that no later section addresses, and its S2 class covers peptide hormones and related substances with similar structure or effect [11]. The NCAA 2026-27 list does not name it either, and its peptide-hormone class bans chemically or pharmacologically related substances [12].

Sources

  1. GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational RoadmapPharmaceutics, 2026
  2. A Systematic Review of the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Applications of GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Copper Complex) in Topical Microneedle Delivery: A Case for Expanded Clinical TrialsArchives of Internal Medicine Research, 2026
  3. Overview of Short Peptides for Hair LossBiomedicines, 2026
  4. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin RegenerationBioMed Research International, 2015
  5. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitroArchives of Pharmacal Research, 2007
  6. Systemic and Topical Geroprotective Rejuvenation Assessed by START/REST Aging ClocksClinicalTrials.gov, 2026
  7. Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic ActU.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026
  8. X-ray and Solution Structures of Cu(II) GHK and Cu(II) DAHK Complexes: Influence on Their Redox PropertiesChemistry: A European Journal, 2011
  9. The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open woundsVeterinary Surgery, 2003
  10. QR678 & QR678 Neo Hair Growth Formulations: A Cellular Toxicity & Animal Efficacy StudyPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2020
  11. The 2026 Prohibited ListWorld Anti-Doping Agency, 2026
  12. 2026-27 NCAA Banned SubstancesNCAA, 2026
  13. Topical and nutricosmetic products for healthy hair and dermal antiaging using "dual-acting" (2 for 1) plant-based peptides, hormones, and cannabinoidsFASEB BioAdvances, 2021

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