Glutathione is a tripeptide (a molecule composed of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine) that is naturally produced in all cells of the human body. It is known as the "master antioxidant" because it is the first line of defence against oxidative stress and one of the most powerful antioxidants we have.

It is neither. It is a tripeptide (three amino acids linked together: glutamine, glycine and cysteine). It is sometimes called an "antioxidant", but it is neither a vitamin nor a simple amino acid.

Yes. Glutathione is naturally produced in all cells of the human body. It is essential for detoxification, immune function and protection against oxidative damage. It is produced in the liver from three amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine.

The main functions of natural glutathione in the body are:

• Antioxidant: neutralises free radicals
• Detoxification: helps the liver eliminate toxins
• Immune function: supports immune system cells
• Cell repair: protects cells from damage
• Metabolism: participates in key metabolic processes

Yes. It is known as the "master antioxidant" because it is the most abundant and most important in cellular defence against oxidative stress. However, this does not mean that injecting it in high doses provides additional benefits.

The popularity of intravenous glutathione for skin lightening is due to a combination of factors:

• Aggressive marketing on social media and by celebrities
• Beauty standards that associate lighter skin with status and beauty
• Desire for "quick solutions" over creams or sunscreens
• Lack of regulation in many countries

In the Philippines, demand remains "very high" despite repeated health warnings.

Oral glutathione has very low bioavailability: digestive enzymes break it down before it can be absorbed. That's why clinics promote the intravenous route, which bypasses the digestive system and achieves much higher concentrations in the blood.

But be careful: just because it can be administered intravenously does not mean it is safe or effective for lightening skin. Most doctors and regulatory agencies advise against its use for this purpose.

Oral glutathione has very low absorption (less than 10-20%). Some small studies suggest it may have modest effects, but evidence is limited. A 2024 review concluded that oral or topical glutathione may offer modest pigmentary benefits, but evidence for intravenous use is insufficient.

The oral route has a better safety profile than intravenous, but the effects are more limited.

Glutathione creams have a very limited effect because the molecule is large and does not penetrate the skin barrier well. The effects, if any, are superficial and modest. They do not compare to what injections promise.

No. Intravenous glutathione will not turn a brown person into a white person. The evidence for lightening, even in studies that report some effect, is modest. Furthermore, there are documented cases of paradoxical hyperpigmentation (darker spots) or vitiligo (patchy loss of colour) from excessive glutathione use.

No. The effects, if any, are not permanent. Melanin production will return to normal when treatment is stopped. One controlled study found that at 6 months of follow-up, only 1 out of 16 patients maintained visible benefit.

When you stop treatment, your skin returns to its original tone. There is no evidence that it becomes "darker than it was". The risk is different: some people have developed paradoxical hyperpigmentation (darker spots) or vitiligo (patchy colour loss).

Yes. Excessive glutathione use has been documented to cause vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that destroys melanocytes and leaves irregular white patches on the skin. This can be permanent.

There are no studies showing that intravenous glutathione is effective for sun spots (solar lentigines). These spots are treated with sun protection, topical depigmenting agents (hydroquinone, azelaic acid), chemical peels or laser, not intravenous glutathione.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that the liver uses to detoxify itself. In controlled medical settings, it is used as an adjunct in the treatment of certain liver diseases (alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis).

For healthy individuals, there is no evidence that glutathione injections improve liver function. Your liver already produces enough glutathione for its needs.

There is no evidence that intravenous glutathione increases energy in individuals without deficiency. The feeling of "energy" that some people report may be due to the placebo effect or hydration (if the drip contained fluids).

Intravenous glutathione is administered in two main ways:

• Intravenous infusion (drip): a catheter is placed in a vein (usually in the arm) and glutathione drips slowly over 30-60 minutes.
• Intramuscular injection: injected in one go into the buttock or arm. It is faster but less common.

The initial prick hurts like any blood draw: 2-3 seconds of discomfort. What can hurt more is the glutathione itself as it enters the vein: it can cause stinging or burning along the vein.

Some people report a metallic or sulphur/rotten egg taste in the mouth during the infusion. It is a known but not dangerous side effect. It disappears when finished.

Yes. There are documented cases of acute kidney failure associated with the use of intravenous glutathione for skin lightening. The FDA has issued safety alerts after receiving reports of serious adverse reactions, including bacterial contamination in poorly prepared products. A woman in the Philippines developed kidney failure after years of weekly use.

Yes, there are documented cases. Cases of serious adverse reactions have been reported, including kidney failure, severe skin rashes and anaphylaxis. The FDA has issued alerts about serious adverse events, including life-threatening reactions. Transmission of infectious agents such as HIV and hepatitis is a real risk when the procedure is performed in non-sterile environments.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe skin reaction in which the skin peels off in large blisters. It has been documented as a possible adverse effect of intravenous glutathione. The FDA includes it in its list of serious adverse effects.

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has not approved intravenous glutathione for skin lightening or any other cosmetic use because:

• There is no scientific evidence that it works
• There are documented risks of serious adverse effects
• There are no long-term safety studies

The FDA has issued safety alerts about poorly prepared glutathione products that caused serious adverse reactions.

Not recommended. There are no safety studies of intravenous glutathione in pregnancy. Additionally, there is no medical indication for its use during gestation.

Also not recommended. There are no studies in lactation. It is not known whether glutathione passes into breast milk.

No. Intravenous glutathione for skin lightening is not approved in children. It is a dangerous practice that can cause irreversible harm.

Intravenous glutathione can increase thyroid hormone levels. In people with treated hypothyroidism, this could interfere with medication. In people with hyperthyroidism, it could worsen the condition. "Increased thyroid hormones" has been reported as a possible adverse effect.

If glutathione suppresses melanin production (although there is no evidence it does so significantly), your skin would be more unprotected against UV radiation. The risk of sunburn and skin cancer would increase. Systemic administration of glutathione could alter melanin production, changing the skin's natural photoprotection.

Furthermore, exposing yourself to the sun without protection will cancel out any possible lightening effect.

In the UK, glutathione is not approved for skin lightening. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) does not regulate this use. In the Philippines, the FDA has stated that it has not approved any injectable product for skin lightening and that its use for this purpose is illegal. The Philippine Department of Health does not support the use of glutathione for skin lightening.

There are documented cases of people who have died from self-administering unregulated intravenous treatments.

They are not safe. The FDA has issued specific alerts about "compounded" glutathione products (prepared in unregulated pharmacies) that caused serious adverse reactions due to contamination with bacterial endotoxins.

The risk of the product being fake, contaminated or incorrectly dosed is very high. The FDA found bacterial endotoxin levels up to five times the safe limit in tested products.