What Is Glutathione?

Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant — a tripeptide (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) present in every cell, central to neutralizing oxidative stress, detoxification in the liver, and immune function. Levels fall with age, poor diet, alcohol and chronic illness.

Because oral glutathione absorbs poorly, injectable and IV routes became popular in wellness medicine — for detox support, and prominently in aesthetic medicine for skin brightening, an effect (via melanin-pathway inhibition) that made it a staple of cosmetic clinics across Asia.

What is Glutathione studied for?

Side effects & safety

Generally well tolerated at standard doses; injection-site irritation and rare allergic reactions reported. High-dose brightening protocols carry dermatological debate and regulator warnings in some countries.

Legal & approval status

Legal supplement ingredient; injectable versions live in compounding/wellness-clinic territory. Not an approved drug for cosmetic use — some regulators (notably the Philippines FDA) have warned against IV brightening use.

Typical dosing at a glance

Commonly reported protocols use 100 mg–200 mg, 1–3x weekly, via subcutaneous injection. For the mixing math — how much bacteriostatic water, exact syringe units, doses per vial — see the Glutathione reconstitution calculator →

Related peptides

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Educational overview based on published research and commonly reported community protocols — not medical advice, and not an endorsement of any compound. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.