What is glutathione? Research, risks and status in the Philippines

What is glutathione?

Glutathione is a tripeptide, a small molecule built from three amino acids: cysteine, glycine and glutamate. Your body makes it. It works as a major antioxidant, protecting proteins from oxidation and helping cells detoxify.

It is also known as GSH, L-glutathione or reduced glutathione. It comes in oral, injectable and topical forms.

In the Philippines, FDA Philippines has issued advisories about glutathione injectables, IV drips, capsules sold as supplements, and soaps. A 2016 review notes that "the use of intravenous glutathione injections is popular", while adding that "there is no evidence to prove its efficacy."

How is glutathione thought to affect skin?

The skin lightening effect is a proposed mechanism, not an established one. Reviewers propose two routes:

• Glutathione may block the enzyme tyrosinase, directly and indirectly.
• It may shift melanin production away from dark eumelanin toward lighter phaeomelanin.

Two cautions apply:

• A 2026 review says translating these mechanisms into clinically meaningful results "remains uncertain."
• A 2019 systematic review notes that the effect of oral glutathione is questionable "due to its limited absorption and bioavailability."

What does the research show?

The skin lightening research is made up of small, short trials, mostly in healthy volunteers. Most report changes in the melanin index.

Skin lightening trials

What the reviews conclude

The 2026 review also notes that IV glutathione is routinely given with vitamin C, so its own effect is hard to separate.

Does glutathione raise levels in the body?

Other uses that have been studied

• Nerve damage from cisplatin chemotherapy: a 2014 Cochrane review found seven glutathione trials with 387 participants. On non-quantitative grading, glutathione lowered the risk of nerve toxicity (RR 0.29). But the authors say the data are insufficient to conclude that it prevents or limits this nerve damage on objective measures.
• Parkinson's disease: a 4-week pilot trial of IV glutathione in 21 people found no significant difference in symptom scores versus placebo.
• Claims about liver health, "detox", anti-aging and immune support were not reviewed for this page.

Injection vs pills vs creams: how does the evidence compare?

The three forms have different amounts of research behind them. FDA Philippines has not approved any injectable product for skin lightening, and the registered glutathione-containing food supplement it has named carries no approved therapeutic claims.

In its 2019 advisory, FDA Philippines stated that "there are no published clinical trials that have evaluated the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening", and that there are no published guidelines on dosing or how long treatment should last. The 2025 systematic review above reports one placebo-controlled IV study.

What happens when you stop?

How long any lightening lasts is not known. A 2016 review lists the duration of effect and the need for maintenance as unanswered questions.

A 2025 systematic review calls the effects of oral and topical glutathione "unsustainable". In a 6-month trial of oral glutathione, raised blood levels returned to baseline after a 1-month break.

Risks and side effects

The risks depend on the form, and most of the risks listed below concern injectable glutathione.

Injectable glutathione (FDA Philippines Advisory No. 2019-182)

FDA Philippines lists these concerns when injectable glutathione is used for skin lightening:

• Toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and nervous system.
• Possible Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
• Transmission of infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, especially when a non-medical practitioner gives the treatment or it is done in a non-sterile facility.
• Because glutathione affects melanin production, "there are theoretical concerns about the long term skin cancer risk."
• IV vitamin C, often given with glutathione, "may form kidney stones if the urine is acidic". Large doses of vitamin C have led to hemodialysis in people with G6PD deficiency.

Contaminated injectables (US FDA)

• In 2019, the US FDA reported seven patients at one clinic who had nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, chills, body aches and sneezing within minutes of an IV infusion of compounded glutathione. One had low blood pressure and trouble breathing and went to hospital. FDA testing found too much bacterial endotoxin in the glutathione powder, which was labeled as a dietary supplement ingredient.
• On 27 August 2026, the US FDA said it knew of at least 30 patients with adverse events after IV glutathione made from dietary supplement grade glutathione. These included "fever, chills, pain, dizziness, signs of shock and sepsis-like symptoms, with some resulting in hospitalizations."

Case reports and reviews

• A 2025 UK case report describes a previously healthy woman who developed shock, a temperature above 41°C and acute liver injury within an hour of an unregulated, high dose glutathione infusion for skin lightening. She recovered with supportive care.
• A 2026 review lists liver toxicity, allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions and possible kidney and hormone effects as concerns with IV glutathione.
• As reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 28 January 2025, the president of the Philippine Dermatological Society said there have been reports of "kidney failure, gastritis, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting", plus skin rashes, eye swelling, ruptured veins and anaphylactic shock, "which can be fatal."

Oral and topical glutathione

A 2019 systematic review of four oral and topical studies reported some nonserious adverse events, and one oral and one topical trial above reported no serious or marked adverse effects. But the authors of a 4-week oral trial state that "long-term safety has not been established", and a 2025 review says safety data for topical glutathione are limited.

Unregistered products

For an unregistered glutathione drug product, FDA Philippines says "the public has no assurance as to its quality, safety and efficacy" and that use "may expose them to potential health risks, including possible injury or harm."

Legal status in the Philippines

Glutathione's status in the Philippines depends on the form and the intended use.

Some limits on what this page can confirm:

• The cisplatin statement dates from 2019. The portal records for the registered glutathione injections do not show indications, so their approved use could not be confirmed from a registration record.
• The portal classifies every registered glutathione injection as a prescription drug (Rx).
• The portal is a keyword search, so its food supplement and cosmetic results include products with glutathione anywhere in the name.
• For skin concerns, FDA Philippines advises consulting a board-certified dermatologist and not purchasing injectable products online.

FDA Philippines says "the use, promotion, distribution, and administration of unregistered health products are prohibited under Republic Act No. 9711." In May 2026 it assisted the National Bureau of Investigation in a Pasig City operation against the administration of unregistered injectables for aesthetic purposes, including products marketed as glutathione.

What does the US FDA say?

The US FDA says it has not approved any injectable drug for skin whitening. Its consumer update in Filipino says injectable skin whitening products may not work, may harm, and may contain unknown harmful ingredients or contaminants. It names glutathione, vitamin C, collagen and human placenta as ingredients found in them.

On compounding, the US FDA says compounders "should not use dietary supplement grade ingredients when making injectable drugs", because these may contain impurities and contaminants, including endotoxins.

Glutathione is listed in category 1, "Bulk Drug Substances Under Evaluation", on the US FDA list of substances nominated for compounding under section 503A (list updated 14 May 2026). The FDA says it does not intend to take action against compounding with category 1 substances if the conditions in its guidance are met. Category 1 means the substance is still under evaluation.

FDA advisory history

FDA Philippines has issued advisories against many unregistered glutathione food supplements and unauthorized glutathione cosmetics, as well as injectables and drips. The table lists the ones read for this page. It is not a complete list.

What to ask a doctor

If you are thinking about glutathione, these questions can help in a talk with a licensed doctor or a board-certified dermatologist:

• Is the product I am looking at registered with FDA Philippines, and for what use?
• What does the research show for this form of glutathione, and how large were the trials?
• Which of the risks FDA Philippines lists could apply to me?
• Do I have G6PD deficiency, kidney problems or liver problems that matter here?
• Could my skin concern have a cause that needs a different approach?
• What are my options for the skin concern I have?