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growth · hormone

Ipamorelin

Also known as: NNC 26-0161, IPA
FDA: Not FDA-approved WADA: Prohibited
Last updated · 2026-06-19

Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide (GHRP) — a synthetic pentapeptide that mimics ghrelin to stimulate growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary. What makes it exceptional among GHRPs is its selectivity: it stimulates robust GH release without significantly increasing cortisol, prolactin, or aldosterone, unlike older secretagogues like GHRP-6 and GHRP-2. This clean pharmacological profile makes it the preferred GHRP for most practitioners. Developed by Novo Nordisk in the 1990s, ipamorelin was initially investigated for postoperative ileus (paralyzed bowel after surgery). While it did not achieve FDA approval for that indication, it became one of the most widely

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Molecular weight 711.85 Da
Half-life ~2 hours
CAS number 170851-70-4
Route Subcutaneous · Intravenous subcutaneous preferred
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02

Dosing

DOSE RANGE 200–300 mcg
FREQUENCY 1-3x daily
CYCLE LENGTH 8-12 weeks

Best dosed before bed for synergy with natural GH pulse during sleep. Inject on empty stomach.

03

Mechanism

Selective ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist — stimulates pituitary GH release without significant cortisol, prolactin, or aldosterone increase

04

Research summary

Study Type Year Key Finding
Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Randomized controlled trial (phase 2, proof-of-concept) 2014 Multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT00672074) of IV ipamorelin 0.03 mg/kg twice daily vs. placebo, postoperative day 1-7 or hospital discharge
Analysis of new growth promoting black market products. Analytical study (high-resolution LC-MS/MS characterization of black-market products) 2018 Analysis of black-market growth-promoting products identified a previously unreported modified GH isoform: a 192-amino-acid variant carrying an additional N-terminal alanine, with monoisotopic mass 22,195 Da versus 22,124 Da for native 191-amino-acid GH
Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Narrative review 2020 Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) — sermorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, ibutamoren, and ipamorelin — are reviewed as potential adjunctive therapy for hypogonadal and eugonadal males with metabolic syndrome or subclinical hypogonadism.
Attenuation of Visceral and Somatic Nociception by Ghrelin Mimetics. Preclinical in vivo study (rat models of visceral hypersensitivity and somatic allodynia) 2020 In a rat model of non-inflammatory visceral hypersensitivity (0.6% acetic acid colonic infusion) and somatic mechanical allodynia, both the peripherally restricted ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin (IV) and the globally active mimetic HM01 (oral) significantly attenuated colonic hypersensitivity and paw-withdrawal allodynia versus vehicle.
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets Animal study (ferret) 2024 Ipamorelin (1-3 mg/kg IP) inhibited cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets
Therapeutic peptides in orthopaedic injuries — CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair Narrative review 2026 CJC-1295 + ipamorelin activate IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair
A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review Critical review 2026 Ipamorelin identified as one of the most popular growth hormone secretagogues in sport
The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration. Narrative review 2026 PEDs marketed as 'research compounds' encompass unregulated peptides modulating the GH-IGF-1 axis, including GH secretagogues (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, ipamorelin), GHRH analogues (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295 with/without DAC), the GH fragment AOD9604, and IGF-1 analogues (PEG-MGF, IGF-1 LR3).
The GH secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats animal study 2001 Ipamorelin reversed glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in rats
Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single doses of ipamorelin in healthy volunteers clinical trial 2004 Ipamorelin produced dose-dependent GH release in healthy humans
Ipamorelin for postoperative ileus: a phase 3 study RCT 2012 Ipamorelin accelerated GI recovery after abdominal surgery
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue animal study 1998 Ipamorelin selectively releases GH without affecting cortisol or prolactin
05

Stacking & interactions

GHRH + GHRP synergy for amplified GH pulse

GH-enhanced systemic healing

GH elevation + targeted tissue repair

Stacks containing Ipamorelin

Marquee

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin

Anabolic Growth

CJC-1295 (w/ DAC) + Ipamorelin + IGF-1 LR3

Athletic Recovery

BPC-157 + TB-500 + CJC/Ipamorelin

Bone Density Builder

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + GHK-Cu

GH-Boost Metabolic

CJC-1295 (w/ DAC) + Ipamorelin + AOD-9604

HPTA Reboot

Kisspeptin-10 + Gonadotropin + CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin

Spartan

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + IGF-1 LR3 + BPC-157

T-Boost & GH Sync

Kisspeptin-10 + CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin + IGF-1 LR3 (low dose)

28-day resets featuring Ipamorelin

06

Sourcing

Current prices

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Also vetted at
What bloodwork do I need?

Reference ranges are general guidelines. Consult your physician for interpretation.

PRE-CYCLE
  • IGF-1
  • Fasting Glucose
  • Fasting Insulin
  • CMP
  • CBC
DURING CYCLE
  • IGF-1
  • Fasting Glucose
  • Fasting Insulin
POST-CYCLE
  • IGF-1
  • Fasting Glucose
Safety & Regulatory Status
FDA STATUS Not FDA-approved. Not on the 503A bulks list and in none of FDA's interim Category 1, 2, or 3 lists — there is no lawful 503A or 503B compounding route.
WADA STATUS Prohibited (S2 — peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances)

Regulatory status for Ipamorelin may change. Verify current status with your jurisdiction before use. This is not legal or medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue — a small five-amino- acid peptide that triggers the pituitary to release a natural pulse of growth hormone. It is valued for being selective: it raises GH with little effect on cortisol, prolactin, or appetite. It is studied for recovery, body composition, and sleep, and is not FDA-approved.
How does Ipamorelin work?
Ipamorelin binds the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary cells — the same receptor the hormone ghrelin uses. Activating it triggers a calcium- mediated signaling cascade that releases stored growth hormone. Unlike older secretagogues, ipamorelin does this selectively, producing a clean GH pulse without meaningfully raising cortisol or prolactin, which is its main advantage in this class.
What does the research on Ipamorelin show?
The defining study by Raun and colleagues characterized ipamorelin as the first selective growth-hormone secretagogue, releasing GH without the cortisol and prolactin spikes seen with related compounds (PMID 9849822). Human development for postoperative ileus did not meet its endpoints. Most evidence is preclinical or early-stage; there are no large outcome trials for anti-aging or body-composition use.
How is Ipamorelin dosed?
Community-reported protocols use roughly 200–300 mcg per dose, one to three times daily, in cycles of about 8–12 weeks, injected subcutaneously on an empty stomach. A dose before bed is common, to align with the body's natural overnight GH pulse. These are community figures, not trial- validated doses or medical advice.
Is Ipamorelin safe? What are the side effects?
There is no long-term controlled human safety data. Community-reported side effects are usually mild — injection-site reactions, transient headache, flushing, or water retention. Because it stimulates the GH axis, caution is advised with diabetes, and it is precautionarily avoided in active cancer, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Eating fat near dosing can blunt the GH pulse.
Is Ipamorelin legal or FDA-approved?
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved for any indication and is sold as a research chemical. It is not on the 503A bulks list and appears in none of FDA's interim Category 1, 2, or 3 lists, so there is no lawful compounding route — not through a 503A pharmacy and not through a 503B outsourcing facility. Critically for athletes, WADA prohibits it under category S2 (peptide hormones and growth factors), so its use will cause a positive doping test. It is not DEA-scheduled.
What is Ipamorelin stacked with?
Ipamorelin is most often combined with CJC-1295, a GHRH analog — the two act on different receptors and together produce a larger, more sustained GH release than either alone. It is also paired with GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide to help preserve lean mass during weight loss. These pairings are based on practitioner protocols, not controlled trials.

References

  1. Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD, 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 (2014). PMID: 25331030
  2. Krug O, Thomas A, Malerød-Fjeld H, et al.. Analysis of new growth promoting black market products.. Growth Hormone & IGF Research (2018). PMID: 29864719
  3. Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, 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). PMID: 32257855
  4. N Mohammadi E, Louwies T, Pietra C, et al.. Attenuation of Visceral and Somatic Nociception by Ghrelin Mimetics.. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology (2020). PMID: 32801950
  5. Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, Yang L, Tu L, Chan SW, Giuliano C, Lovati E, Pietra C, Rudd JA. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets. Physiology & Behavior (2024). PMID: 39043357
  6. Various. Therapeutic peptides in orthopaedic injuries — CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair. Orthopaedic Review (2026). PMID: 41490200
  7. Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (2026). PMID: 41880199
  8. Dominikowski A, Rękoś Z, Olejarz M, et al.. The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration.. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2026). PMID: 42395176
  9. Andersen, N.B., Johansen, P.B., Abrahamsen, N.. The GH secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats. Growth Hormone & IGF Research (2001). PMID: 11735244
  10. Gobburu, J.V., Agerso, H., Gjedde, S.B. et al.. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single doses of ipamorelin in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2004). PMID: 10496658
  11. Greenwood-Van Meerveld, B., Tyler, K., Mohammadi, E. et al.. Ipamorelin for postoperative ileus: a phase 3 study. Neurogastroenterology and Motility (2012). PMID: 27186127
  12. Raun, K., Hansen, B.S., Johansen, N.L. et al.. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology (1998). PMID: 9849822