Ipamorelin
Muscle & Strength · Selective ghrelin receptor agonist
Tier C
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Ipamorelin as C (4.9/10) based on weak evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Compared with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, ipamorelin has less reported cortisol and prolactin activation in early studies.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295) — Research peptide; not FDA-approved; banned sport; not individualized guidance.
Frontier potential — editorial judgment, not evidence
This is a separate axis from the grade above. It asks a different question: if this worked in humans, how much would it matter? It is our judgment, it is not part of the composite score, and it cannot raise a grade. A high number here is a statement about the idea, not about whether it works or whether anyone should take it.
What the ceiling rests on
A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist that raises GH with less cortisol and prolactin disturbance than earlier secretagogues — a genuinely cleaner pharmacological profile within its class.
Why it may not get there
Same ceiling problem as the whole GH-secretagogue class: the demonstrated effect is on a hormone level, not an outcome. Development was discontinued after trials in post-operative ileus, so the compound has been tested in humans and not pursued. Nothing establishes benefit in healthy adults.
What would change this Any controlled trial with a functional endpoint in a non-deficient population.
What the evidence says
Compared with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, ipamorelin has less reported cortisol and prolactin activation in early studies. CJC-1295 (without DAC) plus ipamorelin appears in reported consumer and clinic protocols intended to synchronize GH pulses; direct clinical-outcome comparisons are absent. Ph2 studies for postoperative ileus in Helsinn development program; no approval. Product-quality caveat: a 2026 preprint testing consumer "research-grade" peptides found 42-71% failed purity benchmarks and ~15% had measurable endotoxin contamination — gray-market sourcing is a real safety risk.
Mechanism
Selective GHS-R1a agonist; releases GH from pituitary with minimal impact on cortisol, prolactin, ACTH (unlike GHRP-2/6); short plasma half-life (~2 hr)
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Ipamorelin's effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Ipamorelin as Weak and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of C (4.9/10). Compared with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, ipamorelin has less reported cortisol and prolactin activation in early studies.
- What safety findings are reported for Ipamorelin?
- Ipamorelin has a low-med risk profile in the database. Low-Med (injection site; mild cortisol/prolactin effects; muscle strain from rapid recovery anecdotally) Legal status: Research peptide; not FDA-approved; banned sport.
- What doses or routes are reported for Ipamorelin?
- 200-300 mcg subQ 2-3x/day (commonly stacked with CJC-1295) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Ipamorelin work?
- Selective GHS-R1a agonist; releases GH from pituitary with minimal impact on cortisol, prolactin, ACTH (unlike GHRP-2/6); short plasma half-life (~2 hr)
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.