Are there drugs that speed up healing? Exploring the Pharmacology of Tissue Repair

October 9, 2025 •

5 min read

It is estimated that approximately 2% of the population will experience a chronic wound in their lifetime [1.3.1]. So, are there drugs that speed up healing? The answer is yes, with various pharmaceuticals, growth factors, and emerging therapies available to accelerate the body's natural repair processes [1.2.1, 1.4.3].

Quick Summary

A variety of medications and advanced therapies can accelerate tissue repair. These range from FDA-approved growth factors like Becaplermin to repurposed drugs, natural compounds, and innovative peptide therapies that target different stages of the healing cascade.

Key Points

FDA-Approved Drug: Becaplermin (Regranex®) is the only FDA-approved growth factor therapeutic shown to significantly improve wound closure, particularly for diabetic foot ulcers [1.6.1, 1.4.6].
Growth Factors are Key: Growth factors like Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) are crucial signaling molecules that orchestrate cellular activities during healing [1.4.4, 1.4.6].
Peptide Therapy is Emerging: Peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 are gaining attention for their ability to accelerate the repair of muscles, tendons, and other tissues by targeting specific healing pathways [1.5.1, 1.5.4].
Regenerative Medicine: Therapies such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments leverage the body's own healing components to speed up recovery from injuries and surgery [1.4.3, 1.2.8].
Repurposed Drugs Show Promise: Medications originally approved for other conditions, such as the anti-seizure drug Phenytoin and the diabetes drug Metformin, have demonstrated pro-healing properties [1.2.1].
Natural Compounds Can Help: Medical-grade honey and plant-derived compounds like curcumin and aloe vera can support healing through antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects [1.2.1].
Debridement is Crucial: Enzymatic agents like Collagenase (Santyl®) help by removing dead tissue, which is essential for creating a clean wound bed conducive to healing [1.2.1, 1.6.1].

The Complex Process of Wound Healing

Wound healing is a sophisticated biological process that occurs in four distinct but overlapping phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

Hemostasis: This is the immediate response to injury, where blood vessels constrict and a clot forms to stop bleeding. Platelets are key players, releasing growth factors that signal the start of the repair process [1.3.1].
Inflammation: Within hours, inflammatory cells like neutrophils and macrophages are recruited to the site. They work to prevent infection by clearing away bacteria and cellular debris, preparing the wound bed for new tissue growth [1.3.5].
Proliferation: This phase involves the formation of new tissue. Fibroblasts produce collagen to create a new extracellular matrix, new blood vessels form in a process called angiogenesis, and keratinocytes migrate to cover the wound surface (re-epithelialization) [1.3.1, 1.3.7].
Remodeling: The final phase can take months or even years. The newly laid collagen is reorganized and strengthened, and the wound contracts. The final repaired tissue typically reaches about 80% of its original tensile strength [1.3.1].

In some cases, particularly with underlying health conditions like diabetes, this process can be impaired, leading to chronic wounds that fail to heal in a timely manner [1.3.1].

FDA-Approved and Repurposed Pharmaceuticals

While many compounds show promise, there is only one therapeutic growth factor specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to directly promote healing: Becaplermin [1.6.1].

Becaplermin (Regranex®): This is a topical gel containing a recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) [1.4.6]. PDGF is a potent signaling molecule that attracts and stimulates the cells involved in wound repair, such as fibroblasts and macrophages [1.2.1]. It is primarily used for treating diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers, where it has been shown to increase the incidence of complete wound closure [1.4.6, 1.6.1].
Collagenase (Santyl®): This FDA-approved enzymatic debriding agent is derived from Clostridium histolyticum [1.2.1, 1.6.1]. It works by breaking down necrotic (dead) tissue in the wound bed without harming healthy tissue. This cleans the wound and creates a better environment for healing. Studies suggest it may also promote keratinocyte proliferation and migration [1.2.1].
Repurposed Drugs: Several medications approved for other conditions have shown pro-healing effects. For example, Phenytoin, an anti-seizure medication, has been observed to promote the growth of connective tissues and accelerate healing in burns and ulcers when applied topically [1.2.1]. Metformin, a common diabetes drug, has been found to improve healing in animal models by promoting vascularization and activating key cellular pathways [1.2.1, 1.3.1].

Growth Factors and Regenerative Medicine

Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins that act as critical signaling molecules, managing cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Beyond the FDA-approved Becaplermin, several other growth factors and regenerative approaches are central to modern wound care research [1.4.3, 1.4.4].

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs): This family of proteins is heavily involved in tissue repair, promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis [1.4.4]. Recombinant FGFs have been approved for clinical wound-healing use in Japan and China and are a subject of ongoing research worldwide [1.4.4].
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This technique involves concentrating platelets from a patient's own blood and injecting them into the wound site. These platelets release a cocktail of growth factors (including PDGF and TGF-β) that accelerate healing and reduce infection risk [1.4.3].
Stem Cell Therapy: Adipose-derived stem cells and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are used to introduce growth factors and anti-inflammatory proteins directly to an injury. These therapies can reduce pain and support healing in tendons, cartilage, and bone [1.2.8].

The Rise of Peptide Therapy

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as precise signaling molecules in the body. Synthetic peptides are being developed to target specific repair pathways, offering a novel approach to accelerating recovery [1.5.1].

BPC-157: Derived from a protein found in the stomach, Body Protection Compound-157 is studied for its systemic healing properties. It is believed to work by promoting blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), stimulating collagen production, and reducing inflammation, aiding the repair of muscles, tendons, and ligaments [1.5.3, 1.5.4].
TB-500: A synthetic version of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring protein that plays a role in tissue repair. It is known for promoting cell migration, reducing inflammation, and supporting the healing of soft tissues [1.5.4].
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide): This peptide has roles in reducing inflammation and promoting the synthesis of collagen and other extracellular matrix components, making it beneficial for skin regeneration and wound healing [1.5.1].


Therapy Type	Examples	Primary Mechanism	Common Application
FDA-Approved Growth Factor	Becaplermin (Regranex®) [1.6.1]	Promotes chemotactic recruitment and proliferation of repair cells [1.2.1].	Diabetic foot ulcers [1.4.6].
Enzymatic Debrider	Collagenase (Santyl®) [1.2.1]	Removes dead tissue, promotes keratinocyte migration [1.2.1].	Chronic dermal ulcers and burns [1.2.2].
Regenerative Medicine	Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) [1.4.3]	Delivers a high concentration of natural growth factors to the injury site [1.4.3].	Soft tissue injuries, surgical recovery [1.4.3, 1.2.8].
Peptide Therapy	BPC-157, TB-500 [1.5.3, 1.5.4]	Signals for specific repair processes like angiogenesis and reduced inflammation [1.5.3].	Sports injuries, post-surgery recovery [1.5.1, 1.5.4].

Natural and Over-the-Counter Options

Several readily available products can also support the healing process:

Medical Honey (Medihoney®): Honey has natural antimicrobial properties and can create a moist healing environment. It also helps lower the wound's pH, which can stimulate fibroblast and macrophage activity [1.2.1].
Topical Antibiotics (Neosporin®, Polysporin®): While their main function is to prevent infection, some studies suggest that by eliminating microbial threats, antibiotics indirectly allow the healing process to proceed more efficiently [1.2.1, 1.2.2].
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl): A substance naturally produced by the immune system, HOCl is a potent antimicrobial that can also increase keratinocyte and fibroblast migration, thereby aiding wound closure [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

Conclusion

So, are there drugs that speed up healing? Absolutely. The field of wound care has moved beyond simple dressings to embrace a pharmacological approach. From the targeted action of FDA-approved drugs like Becaplermin to the broad, regenerative potential of peptide and stem cell therapies, a growing number of options are available to actively accelerate the body's repair mechanisms. These interventions work by modulating inflammation, stimulating cell growth, promoting angiogenesis, and creating an optimal environment for tissue to rebuild. As research continues, particularly in the promising fields of regenerative medicine and peptide therapy, the ability to heal wounds faster and more effectively is set to improve even further.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. For more information, please see the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions

The only growth factor therapeutic approved by the FDA to directly promote wound healing is Becaplermin (brand name Regranex®). It is a topical gel used primarily for diabetic foot ulcers [1.6.1, 1.4.6].

Peptides like BPC-157 are thought to accelerate healing by promoting the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), stimulating collagen production, and reducing inflammation. This helps repair tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments more effectively [1.5.3, 1.5.4].

Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments like Neosporin® primarily work by preventing infection, which indirectly allows the healing process to proceed without complication. Other products containing medical honey or hypochlorous acid can also create a favorable environment for healing [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

PRP therapy involves concentrating platelets from a patient's own blood and applying them to the wound. These platelets release numerous growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration, reduce infection risk, and accelerate the natural healing process [1.4.3].

While most pro-healing drugs are topical, some oral medications have been studied. For instance, Metformin, an oral diabetes drug, has been shown in animal studies to improve healing by increasing vascularization and activating cellular repair pathways [1.2.1, 1.3.1]. Pentoxifylline is another oral drug that can improve blood flow and oxygenation to tissues [1.2.1].

Medical honey, such as Medihoney®, helps wounds heal in several ways. It is antimicrobial, which prevents infection. It also lowers the wound's pH and has antioxidant properties, which stimulates the activity of cells like fibroblasts and macrophages that are essential for repair [1.2.1].

The role of anti-inflammatory drugs is complex. While inflammation is a necessary phase of healing, chronic inflammation can impair it [1.3.1]. Some drugs that modulate the inflammatory response, like Pentoxifylline, can be beneficial [1.2.1]. However, some studies suggest high doses of NSAIDs might interfere with certain aspects of tissue repair.