Ghrelin-receptor agonist · GH secretagogue
Ipamorelin
A growth-hormone secretagogue with demonstrated human pharmacology, a negative proof-of-concept efficacy trial, and unresolved route, safety, and product-quality questions.
Also known as ipamorelin acetate · NNC 26-0161 · growth hormone secretagogue
01 · Evidence profile
One molecule, four evidence questions
A phase 2 trial did not show significant benefit on its key efficacy endpoint.
Dose-escalation work characterizes short-lived GH release in healthy volunteers.
Route-specific data are sparse and FDA identifies serious safety concerns.
No approved formulation anchors identity, purity, or equivalence in the consumer market.
02 · Identity
What it is
Ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide that activates the ghrelin receptor and stimulates growth-hormone release. Human pharmacology studies and a clinical efficacy trial exist, making it a useful example of why biological activity and clinical benefit must be graded separately.
03 · Product identity
The molecule is not the finished product.
Human studies used defined study material and routes. They do not establish the identity, safety, or equivalence of compounded mixtures or consumer-market products.
None identified in the United States.
- No FDA-approved indication
04 · Evidence snapshot
What the evidence can and cannot say
A dose-escalation study in healthy male volunteers characterized ipamorelin exposure and a short episode of GH release. In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial after bowel surgery, the drug was described as well tolerated in that setting but did not significantly improve the key or secondary efficacy outcomes.
Those studies do not establish popular claims about muscle gain, fat loss, recovery, anti-aging, or sleep. They also do not establish the safety or quality of consumer products, compounded combinations, or different routes.
05 · Claim check
Three claims under the lens
“Ipamorelin stimulates GH release in people.”
A human dose-escalation study measured an episode of GH release. That is a pharmacodynamic effect.
- Evidence basis
- Human pharmacology
- Scope
- Short-term GH pharmacodynamics in the healthy volunteers and route studied.
“A GH response proves better recovery or body composition.”
A biomarker response is not a clinical outcome, and the identified studies did not establish those benefits.
- Evidence basis
- No reliable human outcome evidence
- Scope
- Recovery and body-composition outcomes not established by GH pharmacology or the postoperative-ileus trial.
“Ipamorelin worked in its phase 2 surgical trial.”
The randomized trial reported no significant difference from placebo on its key and secondary efficacy analyses.
- Evidence basis
- Randomized human outcomes
- Scope
- The postoperative-ileus population, intervention, and efficacy endpoints in the phase 2 trial.
06 · Safety boundary
Before this becomes personal
FDA identifies immunogenicity, aggregation, impurity, and characterization concerns. The agency also cites serious adverse events, including death, in intravenous gastric-motility research and says it lacks sufficient information for other promoted injectable routes.
Growth-hormone secretagogues and mimetics are prohibited under the current WADA framework.
Reviewed 2026-07-23. This status is not personal clearance to compete.Check the governing record ↗07 · Sources
Check the primary record
08 · Provenance
Review history
Expanded trial-outcome, route, and product-quality boundaries.
Responsible editor: Anthony Treviso. Editorial source review completed. This page has not been independently medically reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.