Side-by-side · Research reference
ARA 290vsIpamorelin
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-REVIEWED21/57 cited
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
ARA 290
Ipamorelin
Primary target
Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998
Pathway
EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades
GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998Bowers 1991
Downstream effect
Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014Culver 2017
GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002
Feedback intact?
N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014
Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002
Origin
11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties
Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998
Antibody development
Not reported in clinical trials
Not reported in short-term studies
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
ARA 290
Ipamorelin
Standard dose (Phase 2)
4 mg / dayBrines 2015Culver 2017
Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.
—
Frequency
Once daily
Self-administered subcutaneously.
1–3× per day
Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
Duration
28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017
Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)
GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
Evidence basis
Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017Brines 2015
64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.
Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998Sigalos 2018
Timing
Any time of day
No circadian dependence reported.
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
Standard dose
—
200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998
Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
Lower / starter dose
—
100 mcg per dose
Reconstitution
—
Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
ARA 290
Ipamorelin
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
Ipamorelin
Injection site reaction
Mild, transient
Mild irritation possible
Hematopoiesis
None — non-erythropoietic
Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.
—
Cardiovascular
No thrombotic events or hypertension reported
—
Immunogenicity
No antibody formation reported
—
Hunger
—
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
GH excess (overdose)
—
Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance
IGF-1 elevation
—
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use
Cancer risk
—
Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy
Pregnancy / OB
—
Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290
Ipamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)
Ipamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
- ·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
ARA 290
Ipamorelin
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
3. Timing
Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
4. Dosing
4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 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
Ipamorelin
+ Tesamorelin
StrongIpamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Tesamorelin
- 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
- Primary benefit
- Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth
+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)
StrongCJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- 100 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern