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Home/Compounds/Ipamorelin
Growth hormoneRx required

Ipamorelin

Also known as: NNC 26-0161

Selective growth hormone secretagogue with minimal impact on cortisol and prolactin.

B
Grade B
Human observational studies
Human studies15
PubMed citations29
Typical dose100 mcg – 300 mcg
Routesubcutaneous
Regulatory (US)Compounding legal
Last verifiedyesterday
TL;DR · 30-second summary
  • Dose-dependent GH release in humans
  • Minimal cortisol/prolactin elevation
  • Improved nitrogen balance post-surgery
  • Better side effect profile than GHRP-6

Mechanism of action

Ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates pituitary growth hormone release. Highly selective - does not significantly affect cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH levels unlike other GHRPs.

Evidence summary

15
Human studies
29
PubMed citations
0
Clinical trials
B
Evidence grade

Human pharmacokinetic studies confirm GH release with excellent selectivity. Post-surgical trials show improved nitrogen balance. Generally well-tolerated.

Dosing protocols

Educational information only. Consult a licensed provider before using any peptide.
Dose range
100 mcg – 300 mcg

Typically 100-300mcg 2-3x daily, often combined with CJC-1295. Best administered on empty stomach before bed and/or morning.

Administration routes
subcutaneous

Side effects & safety

Reported side effects
Transient hunger increaseWater retentionTingling/numbnessHeadache
Contraindications
  • Active malignancy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pituitary disorders

Interactions

No documented drug interactions on file.

Regulatory status

United States
Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved. Available through compounding pharmacies with prescription.

Compounding
Permitted

Available through compounding pharmacies with valid prescription.

Regulatory data last verified 4/17/2026

Citations

PMID 41966639Mendias CL, Awan TM · Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2026)HumanPMID 41490200Rahman OF, Lee SJ et al. · Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research &amp; reviews (2026)HumanPMID 41880199Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF et al. · A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness (2026)PMID 41476424Mayfield CK, Bolia IK et al. · Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.The American journal of sports medicine (2026)HumanPMID 38996787Gouda M, Ganesh CB · The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus.Animal reproduction science (2024)PMID 39043357Lu Z, Ngan MP et al. · The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism.Physiology &amp; behavior (2024)PMID 32257855Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A et al. · Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males.Translational andrology and urology (2020)HumanPMID 30136411Gajda PM, Holm NB et al. · Glycine-modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material.Drug testing and analysis (2019)PMID 30168238Worm DJ, Els-Heindl S et al. · A stable meta-carborane enables the generation of boron-rich peptide agonists targeting the ghrelin receptor.Journal of peptide science : an official publication of the European Peptide Society (2018)HumanPMID 30282322Fowkes MM, Lalonde T et al. · Peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogue derivatives for positron emission tomography imaging of the ghrelin receptor.European journal of medicinal chemistry (2018)HumanPMID 26578461Thomas A, G&#xf6;rgens C et al. · Simplifying and expanding the screening for peptides <2 kDa by direct urine injection, liquid chromatography, and ion mobility mass spectrometry.Journal of separation science (2016)HumanPMID 25331030Beck DE, Sweeney WB et al. · Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients.International journal of colorectal disease (2015)HumanPMID 24574167Timms M, Hall N et al. · A high-throughput LC-MS/MS screen for GHRP in equine and human urine, featuring peptide derivatization for improved chromatography.Drug testing and analysis (2015)HumanPMID 23318763Kwok WH, Ho EN et al. · Doping control analysis of seven bioactive peptides in horse plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (2013)HumanPMID 23101768Thomas A, Delahaut P et al. · Metabolism of growth hormone releasing peptides.Analytical chemistry (2013)HumanPMID 19231263Aagaard NK, Gr&#xf8;fte T et al. · Growth hormone and growth hormone secretagogue effects on nitrogen balance and urea synthesis in steroid treated rats.Growth hormone &amp; IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society (2010)PMID 19289567Venkova K, Mann W et al. · Efficacy of ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in a rodent model of postoperative ileus.The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics (2009)PMID 16648303Yeung CM, Chan CB et al. · Seabream ghrelin: cDNA cloning, genomic organization and promoter studies.The Journal of endocrinology (2006)HumanPMID 15556068Chan CB, Fung CK et al. · Stimulation of growth hormone secretion from seabream pituitary cells in primary culture by growth hormone secretagogues is independent of growth hormone transcription.Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology &amp; pharmacology : CBP (2005)HumanPMID 14630569Johansen PB, Segev Y et al. · Growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion and GH receptor resistance in streptozotocin diabetic mice in response to a GH secretagogue.Experimental diabesity research (2004)Human

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