MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Muscle & Strength · Oral ghrelin receptor agonist
Tier C
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades MK-677 (ibutamoren) as C (4.9/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 3.5/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
The only orally active ghrelin/GH-secretagogue used widely in biohacker circles.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Typical illicit: 10-25 mg PO daily — Research chemical (not scheduled); banned sport; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
The only orally active ghrelin/GH-secretagogue used widely in biohacker circles. Merck halted development after Adunsky 2011 hip fracture trial showed excess heart failure events in elderly subjects. Hunger and water retention well-documented in short-term use. Strong insulin resistance signal.
Mechanism
Non-peptide ghrelin mimetic; orally bioavailable GHS-R1a agonist; raises GH and IGF-1 sustainably for ~24 hr per dose; Merck-originated, abandoned after Ph2/3 hip fracture study showed elevated HF risk
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Typical illicit: 10-25 mg PO daily
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 MK-677 (ibutamoren)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for MK-677 (ibutamoren) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of C (4.9/10). The only orally active ghrelin/GH-secretagogue used widely in biohacker circles.
- What safety findings are reported for MK-677 (ibutamoren)?
- MK-677 (ibutamoren) has a med-high risk profile in the database. Med-High (water retention, insulin resistance, hunger, lethargy; hip fracture Ph3 showed excess CHF events; not intended as chronic use) Legal status: Research chemical (not scheduled); banned sport.
- What does the low Safety score for MK-677 (ibutamoren) represent?
- The Safety score is 3.5/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for MK-677 (ibutamoren)?
- Typical illicit: 10-25 mg PO daily This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does MK-677 (ibutamoren) work?
- Non-peptide ghrelin mimetic; orally bioavailable GHS-R1a agonist; raises GH and IGF-1 sustainably for ~24 hr per dose; Merck-originated, abandoned after Ph2/3 hip fracture study showed elevated HF risk
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.