Quick facts
- Classification
- Pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist)
- Target / mechanism
- Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a)
- Development status
- Development discontinued after early clinical study
- Regulatory status
- Research use only
- Evidence level
- Limited (early human data)
- Therapeutic area
- Endocrine (proposed)
- Route / formulation
- Injectable preparations are marketed; none are approved
What it is
Ipamorelin is a short synthetic peptide that stimulates growth hormone release with comparatively little effect on cortisol or prolactin in early studies. Clinical development did not lead to approval.
How it works
It mimics ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor, producing pulses of growth hormone release from the pituitary.
What it has been studied for
- Postoperative ileus (discontinued programme)
- Growth hormone secretion pharmacology
Safety and side effects
Short-term tolerability was reported in early studies. Long-term safety, including effects on glucose metabolism and IGF-1 exposure, is not characterised.
Warnings and contraindications
Not approved for human use. Marketing as an anti-ageing or physique intervention is unsupported.
Growth hormone secretagogues are prohibited in sport at all times.
Compounded / research status
Frequently sold as 'research use only' or via compounding channels; FDA has flagged several growth hormone secretagogues as raising significant safety concerns for compounding.
Investigational uses
There is no active approved programme establishing efficacy for the uses commonly promoted online.
Frequently asked questions
References
- Early clinical pharmacology reportsPeer-reviewed clinical literature
- FDA compounding substance evaluationsU.S. Food and Drug Administration
Reference entries are editorial placeholders describing source type and origin. Primary documents are linked as each profile is expanded.
Editorial disclaimer
This site is educational and does not provide medical advice, dosing protocols, or treatment recommendations. Regulatory status and evidence strength differ sharply between compounds. A “research use only” label does not indicate that a product is appropriate for human use. Decisions about medicines belong with a qualified clinician.