Home Compounds Growth Hormone Axis Ipamorelin
Growth Hormone Axis Research Moderate Evidence

Ipamorelin

Highly selective GH secretagogue and GHRP. Studied for its selective stimulation of GH without significant cortisol or prolactin elevation — considered the "cleanest" GHRP in research.

ghrpgrowth hormonesecretagogueghrelinselectiveanti-aging
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Half-life
2 hours
SKUs
2
Evidence
Moderate Evidence

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide and a selective growth hormone secretagogue. It activates the ghrelin receptor to stimulate GH release but is notable for its selectivity — it produces GH pulses without significantly raising cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH at research doses. This selectivity distinguishes it from GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 and has made it a preferred GHRP in research contexts.

Growth Hormone Stimulation Research
Ipamorelin was developed by Novo Nordisk and studied in phase 1 and 2 trials for postoperative ileus, where GH stimulation was studied as a potential recovery-supporting mechanism. It produces clean GH pulses without the cortisol and prolactin elevations of less selective GHRPs.
Selectivity and GH Axis Research
A key research finding is ipamorelin's selective action on GH release without meaningfully affecting other pituitary hormones at research doses. This makes it a more targeted research tool for studying GH effects specifically.
Body Composition and Recovery
The GH-elevating effect of ipamorelin has generated research interest in its effects on lean mass, fat metabolism, and recovery — the established downstream consequences of GH elevation. It is frequently combined with CJC-1295 in research protocols.
  • Selective GH stimulation without significant cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH elevation at research doses.
  • Phase 1 and 2 human trials confirmed its selectivity and tolerability.
  • Development was discontinued for postoperative ileus indication but the compound is widely used in research.
  • No large body composition trials have been published with ipamorelin specifically.

Ipamorelin's pharmaceutical development program was discontinued — it did not advance to approval for any indication. The body composition and anti-aging applications that generate research interest have not been studied in large, controlled human trials. Its selectivity advantage over other GHRPs is meaningful, but the long-term effects of sustained GH stimulation through ipamorelin use are not established.

Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary gland, which signals the pituitary to release a pulse of GH. Unlike GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, which also activate this receptor but simultaneously trigger cortisol and prolactin release, ipamorelin appears to achieve GH release with much less activation of those other pathways. Think of it as a more precise key that opens the GH release door without accidentally opening the cortisol and prolactin doors at the same time. This selectivity is considered an advantage in research settings because it allows researchers to study GH effects more cleanly without the confounding effects of elevated cortisol.

Ipamorelin was studied in human trials without significant safety concerns identified. It is not FDA-approved. The selectivity profile — minimal cortisol and prolactin stimulation — is considered favorable compared to other GHRPs. Standard considerations about elevated GH and IGF-1 apply with repeated use. Research-grade purity should be confirmed. It is not approved for any medical use.

Moderate Evidence

This compound has been studied in Phase 1 or Phase 2 human trials. Evidence is encouraging but more large-scale trials are needed.

Published Research Ranges
100–300mcg per administration, 1–3x daily in research literature
Research Context Only: These are ranges reported in published scientific studies for educational reference. They are not dosing recommendations. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Sources listed here are from the platform research library. All links open the original publication. No citations are generated by AI.

Ipamorelin, a New Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide: Receptor Pharmacology and Selectivity
European Journal of Endocrinology • 1999  • DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1400000
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Ipamorelin Selectively Stimulates GH Release without Activating Cortisol or ACTH Secretion
Journal of Endocrinology • 1998  • DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1570001
View Source
Growth Hormone Secretagogues: Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance
Endocrine Reviews • 2009  • DOI: 10.1210/er.2009-0015
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Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers
 • 1999  • DOI: 10.1023/a:1018955126402
View Source
Ghrelin for the management of cachexia associated with cancer
 • 2018  • DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012229.pub2
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Two ghrelin receptor agonists for adults with malnutrition: a systematic review and meta-analysis
 • 2016  • DOI: 10.1186/s12937-016-0214-5
View Source
Annual Banned-Substance Review 18th Edition-Analytical Approaches in Human Sports Drug Testing 2024/2025
 • 2026  • DOI: 10.1002/dta.70033
View Source
Ghrelin: An Emerging Therapy for Heart Failure
 • 2025  • DOI: 10.1111/cen.15196
View Source
Recent Advances in Augmenting the Therapeutic Efficacy of Peptide-Drug Conjugates
 • 2025  • DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00007
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Synthetic Peptides in Doping Control: A Powerful Tool for an Analytical Challenge
 • 2022  • DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05296
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Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on the Pharmacokinetics of Peptides: When Is the Assessment of Certain Factors Warranted?
 • 2021  • DOI: 10.3390/antib11010001
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A Decade's Progress in the Development of Molecular Imaging Agents Targeting the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor
 • 2020  • DOI: 10.1177/1536012120952623
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Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males
 • 2020  • DOI: 10.21037/tau.2019.11.30
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Peptides from Natural or Rationally Designed Sources Can Be Used in Overweight, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes Therapies
 • 2020  • DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051093
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Capromorelin: a ghrelin receptor agonist and novel therapy for stimulation of appetite in dogs
 • 2018  • DOI: 10.1002/vms3.83
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From Belly to Brain: Targeting the Ghrelin Receptor in Appetite and Food Intake Regulation
 • 2017  • DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020273
View Source
Ghrelin
 • 2015  • DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2015.03.005
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Strategic approaches to optimizing peptide ADME properties
 • 2015  • DOI: 10.1208/s12248-014-9687-3
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Emerging treatments in Neurogastroenterology: relamorelin: a novel gastrocolokinetic synthetic ghrelin agonist
 • 2015  • DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12490
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Ghrelin receptors in non-Mammalian vertebrates
 • 2013  • DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00081
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Interplay between inflammation, immune system and neuronal pathways: effect on gastrointestinal motility
 • 2010  • DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i44.5523
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Integrating GHS into the Ghrelin System
 • 2010  • DOI: 10.1155/2010/879503
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The hungry stomach: physiology, disease, and drug development opportunities
 • 2010  • DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2010.00145
View Source
The prokinetic face of ghrelin
 • 2010  • DOI: 10.1155/2010/493614
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Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides: Investigation of Their Secondary Structure, Thermal Stability, and Model Membrane Interactions
 • 2026  • DOI: 10.1002/chir.70083
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Incidence of cardiometabolic outcomes among people living with HIV-1 initiated on integrase strand transfer inhibitor versus non-integrase strand transfer inhibitor antiretroviral therapies: a retrospective analysis of insurance claims in the United States
 • 2023  • DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26123
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Weight and BMI Changes Following Initiation of Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide Co-Formulated with Darunavir or Co-Administered with Dolutegravir in Overweight or Obese, ART-Naïve People Living with HIV-1
 • 2023  • DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s413800
View Source
Guideline-Discordant Care Among Direct-to-Consumer Testosterone Therapy Platforms
 • 2022  • DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.4928
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Analysis of Anti-Doping Rule Violations That Have Impacted Medal Results at the Summer Olympic Games 1968-2012
 • 2021  • DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01463-4
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Future Treatment of Constipation-associated Disorders: Role of Relamorelin and Other Ghrelin Receptor Agonists
 • 2017  • DOI: 10.5056/jnm16183
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Abstracts of the MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting 2018
 • 2018  • DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4193-2
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SmartPill® as an objective parameter for determination of severity and duration of postoperative ileus: study protocol of a prospective, two-arm, open-label trial (the PIDuSA study)
 • 2016  • DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-011014
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Efficacy of ipamorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, on gastric dysmotility in a rodent model of postoperative ileus
 • 2012  • DOI: 10.2147/jep.s35396
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Long-term effects of ghrelin and ghrelin receptor agonists on energy balance in rats
 • 2008  • DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00040.2008
View Source
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
 • 1998  • DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552
View Source

35 sources · Platform research library · Not generated by AI

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Research Education Only: This profile is for educational purposes only. All information is sourced from published scientific literature. This is not medical advice. Not for human consumption. Consult qualified medical professionals for any health decisions.