Pain · Research Phase
Deltorphin
No lawful US pathway
01 · Overview
Deltorphin refers to a class of highly selective delta-opioid heptapeptides from the skin of the Amazonian frogs Phyllomedusa sauvagei and Phyllomedusa bicolor (PMID 10080383). Like dermorphin, these peptides contain a naturally occurring D-enantiomer at the second position of the shared N-terminal sequence, which underlies their biostability and high delta-receptor affinity (PMID 10080383).
Delta-receptor ligands including deltorphin have been shown in rats to reverse the respiratory depression produced by a mu-opioid agonist without reducing its antinociception (PMID 9864259). Deltorphins have served mainly as pharmacological tools for elucidating delta-opioid receptor physiology.
02 · Research summary & key findings
Animal and in vitro work has characterized deltorphin pharmacology in detail, and large numbers of synthetic analogs have been produced to probe structure-activity relationships and delta-receptor interaction (PMID 10080383). Evidence that delta-receptor activity can counteract mu-opioid respiratory depression comes from rat experiments rather than human studies (PMID 9864259). Clinical translation has not occurred, and current use is limited to preclinical research applications.
03 · Regulatory status
Deltorphin is in the research phase with limited clinical data in humans. Current evidence is primarily derived from preclinical (animal or in vitro) studies.
No lawful pathway today
Deltorphin is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so we do not sell it and will not book a consultation for it. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding. If you are working on the goal it is studied for, a licensed clinician can tell you what is lawfully available, which may be something else.
See the 2 FDA-approved compounds in Pain
Tell me if the status changes
One email, only if this compound's regulatory standing actually moves. Not a newsletter, not a sales sequence.
Looking for a lawful, clinician-prescribed option for injury recovery and tissue repair?
Deltorphin is a research compound, is not FDA-approved, and has no lawful US compounding pathway, so we do not offer it and no clinician we work with will prescribe it. Products sold online as “research chemicals” are not made or tested to the standards required of medicines. If you are working on injury recovery and tissue repair, a licensed clinician can tell you at a free consultation whether an FDA-approved or lawfully compounded treatment fits you, or whether nothing does.
Explore lawful options (free intake)About 3 minutes. If a protocol is prescribed through our provider, we earn 10% of the sale. See the receipts.
04 · Administration routes
- Intracerebroventricular
- Subcutaneous injection
References
- [1]What peptides these deltorphins be Prog Neurobiol, 1999. PMID 10080383
- [2]Delta-opioid ligands reverse alfentanil-induced respiratory depression but not antinociception J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 1998. PMID 9864259
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Deltorphin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Deltorphin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Deltorphin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
Related peptides in Pain
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.