VIP
also known as Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Aviptadil, RLF-100
28-amino-acid endogenous neuropeptide and VPAC1/VPAC2 GPCR agonist. Mediates vasodilation, smooth muscle relaxation, and potent anti-inflammatory effects in pulmonary tissue. Aviptadil (synthetic VIP analogue) received Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 ARDS and is under investigation for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis.
At a glance
IV infusion · Inhaled (investigational)
Primary target — VPAC1 and VPAC2 G-protein-coupled receptors [udupa-2025].
Pathway — VIP → VPAC1/VPAC2 activation → cAMP elevation → Pulmonary vasodilation + epithelial protection.
Downstream effect — Anti-inflammatory cytokine modulation, alveolar-capillary membrane stabilization, pulmonary smooth muscle relaxation, reduced neutrophil infiltration.
Origin — Endogenous 28-amino-acid neuropeptide; synthetic analogue (aviptadil) identical to natural VIP.
Feedback intact — Yes — exogenous VIP acts as physiological agonist.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Intravenous (ARDS protocol) | 60–90 mcg/kg/day via continuous infusionTESICO trial protocol for COVID-19 ARDS. |
| Infusion duration | 12-hour continuous IV infusion daily [brown-2023] |
| Inhaled (investigational) | Variable dosing under clinical trial protocols [boesing-2022]Delivered via nebulizer for direct pulmonary deposition. |
| Treatment duration | 3–14 days (acute ARDS) |
| Evidence basis | Phase 3 RCT (TESICO) [brown-2023]816-patient randomized controlled trial in COVID-19 ARDS. |
| Reconstitution | Lyophilized powder reconstituted with sterile diluent per protocol |
| Half-life | ~2 minutes (plasma)Rapid clearance necessitates continuous infusion. |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
- — Known hypersensitivity to aviptadil or formulation components
- — Severe hypotension or shock states (monitor blood pressure)
- — Pregnancy — insufficient safety data
- 01Preparation (IV)
Reconstitute lyophilized aviptadil powder with sterile diluent per manufacturer protocol. Inspect solution for particulates — should be clear and colorless.
- 02IV infusion
Administer as continuous 12-hour intravenous infusion via central or peripheral line. Use infusion pump for precise dosing (60–90 mcg/kg/day divided over infusion duration).
- 03Monitoring
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygenation continuously during first infusion. Assess for hypotension and adjust infusion rate if needed.
- 04Inhaled protocol (investigational)
Deliver via jet or mesh nebulizer per clinical trial protocol. Patient seated upright, normal tidal breathing for 10–15 minutes.
- 05Storage
Store lyophilized powder at 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstituted solution: use immediately or within 24 hours if refrigerated.
Sources
of 42 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [boesing-2022]Boesing 2022 — Inhaled aviptadil for the possible treatment of COVID-19 in patients at high risk for ARDS: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, and multicenter trial.
journal, 2022 - [brown-2023]Brown 2023 — Intravenous aviptadil and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19-associated hypoxaemic respiratory failure in the USA (TESICO): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
journal, 2023 - [chen-2025]Chen 2025 — Investigation of vasoactive intestinal peptide expression and significance in a congenital diaphragmatic hernia animal model.
journal, 2025 - [udupa-2025]Udupa 2025 — Aviptadil Therapy in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
journal, 2025