Ipamorelin
A selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates GH release without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin.
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide (five amino acids) that selectively stimulates growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. What makes it notable is its selectivity — unlike some other GH secretagogues, it does not significantly increase cortisol, prolactin, or aldosterone levels. This selectivity is why it is considered one of the most well-tolerated peptides in the growth hormone category.
Why People Talk About It
Clean growth hormone release
ModerateBody composition improvement
EmergingBetter sleep quality
EmergingRecovery support
PreliminaryHow It Works
Ipamorelin works by mimicking ghrelin, a natural hunger hormone that also triggers growth hormone release. However, it is designed to be very selective — it tells the pituitary to release GH without triggering other hormonal responses that could cause unwanted side effects.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Not FDA-approved
- • Should be monitored with blood work
- • Not appropriate for those with active malignancies
What We Don't Know
Long-term safety data from large clinical trials is not available. Optimal cycle length and long-term effects are not well established.
Published Research
15 studiesPharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers
Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients
The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ipamorelin and other peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues with emphasis on nasal absorption
The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism
The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus
Determination of growth hormone releasing peptides metabolites in human urine after nasal administration of GHRP-1, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin
Mechanism of ipamorelin-evoked insulin release from the pancreas of normal and diabetic rats
Influence of chronic treatment with the growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin, in young female rats: somatotroph response in vitro
Highly potent growth hormone secretagogues: hybrids of NN703 and ipamorelin
The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats
A new series of highly potent growth hormone-releasing peptides derived from ipamorelin
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats
Efficacy of ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in a rodent model of postoperative ileus
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Related Peptides
CJC-1295
ModerateBeginnerA growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more growth hormone.
Sermorelin
StrongBeginnerA growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that was previously FDA-approved for diagnosing GH deficiency in children.
MK-677
ModerateAn orally active growth hormone secretagogue that mimics ghrelin to stimulate GH and IGF-1 release.
Tesamorelin
StrongAn FDA-approved GHRH analog used to reduce visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Quick Facts
- Class
- Growth Hormone Secretagogue
- Evidence
- Moderate
- Safety
- Moderate Data
- Updated
- Feb 2026
- Citations
- 15PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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