Side-by-side · Research reference
ARA 290vsHexarelin
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited
BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED19/45 cited
Hexarelin
Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
ARA 290
Hexarelin
Primary target
Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996Ghigo 1997
Pathway
EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades
GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997
Downstream effect
Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014Culver 2017
Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997
Feedback intact?
N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014
Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997
Origin
11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties
Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996
Antibody development
Not reported in clinical trials
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
ARA 290
Hexarelin
Standard dose (Phase 2)
4 mg / dayBrines 2015Culver 2017
Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.
—
Frequency
Once daily
Self-administered subcutaneously.
1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)
Duration
28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017
Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.
4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)
Evidence basis
Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017Brines 2015
64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.
Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996Ghigo 1997
Timing
Any time of day
No circadian dependence reported.
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
Lower / starter dose
—
50 mcg per dose
Reconstitution
—
Bacteriostatic water
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
ARA 290
Hexarelin
Primary effect
Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015
Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.
—
HbA1c
Significant reduction vs placebo
Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.
—
Fasting glucose
Improved in ARA 290 group
—
Body composition
Not directly quantified
Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.
—
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
ARA 290
Hexarelin
Injection site reaction
Mild, transient
—
Hematopoiesis
None — non-erythropoietic
Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.
—
Cardiovascular
No thrombotic events or hypertension reported
—
Immunogenicity
No antibody formation reported
—
Hunger
—
Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism
IGF-1 elevation
—
Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use
Cancer risk
—
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Pregnancy / OB
—
Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290
Hexarelin
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)
Hexarelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe hyperprolactinemia
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
ARA 290
Hexarelin
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.
4. Dosing
4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Storage
Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
ARA 290
+ BPC-157
ModerateARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.
- ARA 290
- 4 mg SQ · daily
- BPC-157
- 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
- Frequency
- Once daily, same or separate injections
- Primary benefit
- Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing
Hexarelin
+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)
StrongHexarelin (GHRP) + CJC-1295-no-DAC (GHRH analogue) is the higher-amplitude variant of the standard GHRH+GHRP stack. Hexarelin produces a stronger pulse than ipamorelin but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose this stack for maximum GH amplitude when side-effect tolerance is acceptable. Cycle aggressively.
- Hexarelin
- 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- 100 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Maximum GH pulse amplitude (with side-effect signal)