Ipamorelin

NNC 26-0161

Growth hormone axis

Awaiting medical reviewEN ES DE FR PT ZH+ Follow for updates

1What it is

Ipamorelin is a five-amino-acid peptide developed in the 1990s as a growth hormone releasing peptide, designed to trigger GH release without the appetite, cortisol and prolactin effects of older GHRPs.

It was later tested to speed gut recovery after bowel surgery; those trials did not show enough benefit and development stopped.

2How it's thought to work

Ghrelin receptor. Binds on pituitary cells and in the hypothalamus.

Pulsatile GH. Releases GH in a pulse that mimics natural secretion.

IGF-1. GH then raises IGF-1 from the liver.

Selectivity. No significant cortisol or prolactin rise at studied doses.

Ghrelin-receptor activation in the pituitary releases pulses of growth hormone, which act on the liver.Schematic — not to scale

3What the research shows

GH release and selectivity

Potent GH release with no significant rise in ACTH, cortisol or prolactin in animals; early human pharmacology confirmed GH release and short . [1][2]

Post-operative ileus (negative)

Phase 2 after bowel resection found no significant improvement in recovery of gut function. [3]

Bone, muscle and body composition

Rodent studies report increased bone mineral content. No human body-composition trials. [4][5]

Longevity, sleep, recovery

Community use and anecdote only.

4Reported side effects and interactions

Literature-reported

Well tolerated in the ileus trials at IV doses; headache and flushing reported. Short-term only.

Community-reported

Headache, flushing, transient lightheadedness, increased hunger, water retention, tingling in hands, vivid dreams.

Interactions. Additive GH release with GHRH analogues (CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin); glucose-lowering medicines may need monitoring.

Markers researchers commonly monitor

Marker	Why it's watched
IGF-1	Downstream marker of GH release
Fasting glucose, HbA1c	Sustained GH elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity

Free for everyone. Safety information is never behind a paywall.

5Reconstitution and handling

Common vial sizes 2 mg and 5 mg. Often together with CJC-1295 in the same vial; the calculator supports a two-peptide mix.

Open in calculator, pre-loaded →

6Commonly studied alongside

CJC-1295 →Most common pairing Sermorelin →GHRH analogue Tesamorelin →GHRH analogue

Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.

7Regulatory status by region

Region	Status (checked —)
United States	Not FDA-approved; Category 2 of FDA compounding list (2023)
European Union	Not authorised
United Kingdom	Not licensed
Australia	Prescription-only classification; not an approved product
South Africa	Not registered
Canada	Not authorised
Sport	Prohibited by WADA (S2)

8Open questions

Does chronic SC use change body composition in humans? Untested.
Long-term pituitary and metabolic effects.

9References

1Raun K et al. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. PubMed · DOI
2Gobburu JVS et al. (1999). PK-PD modeling of ipamorelin in human volunteers. Pharm Res. PubMed
3Beck DE et al. (2014). Ipamorelin for postoperative ileus. Dis Colon Rectum. PubMed
4Svensson J et al. (2000). Ipamorelin and GHRP-6 increase bone mineral content in rats. J Endocrinol. PubMed
5Andersen NB et al. (2001). Ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation. Growth Horm IGF Res. PubMed

References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.

10Community

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Self-reported side effects Phase 2

Not enough data yet. 44 of the 50 members needed have logged this compound for 4+ weeks. We don't show anything below 50, so no one can be identified.

11Page history

6 Oct 2026Regulatory table updated

10 Jun 2026Page published

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