Side-by-side · Research reference

HexarelinvsKPV

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 1Reviewed19/45 cited

BAnimal-StrongDraft13/39 cited

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

KPV

α-MSH C-terminal · Anti-inflammatory

200–500 mcgDaily doseDalle-Pang 2024

AnimalEvidence levelDalle-Pang 2024

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ / oral / topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Hexarelin

KPV

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Intracellular targets bypassing melanocortin receptors (proposed)Dalle-Pang 2024

Pathway

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

NF-κB inhibition + cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) → reduced inflammationDalle-Pang 2024

Downstream effect

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Anti-inflammatory action without α-MSH pigmentation effects; gut barrier protectionDalle-Pang 2024

Feedback intact?

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

No melanocortin receptor binding

Origin

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Synthetic tripeptide; the C-terminal Lys-Pro-Val residues of α-MSH (residues 11-13)Dalle-Pang 2024

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Hexarelin

KPV

Standard dose

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

200–500 mcg / day SQ or oralDalle-Pang 2024

Frequency

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Daily or 2–3× per week

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

100 mcg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Animal-strong + emerging clinical data in IBDDalle-Pang 2024

Duration

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

4–8 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water (SQ form)

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

No specific time; often taken with / before meals (oral)

Half-life

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Hexarelin

KPV

Cortisol elevation

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

—

Prolactin elevation

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

—

Hunger

Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism

—

Tachyphylaxis

Receptor desensitisation with chronic dosingGhigo 1997

—

Cardiac effects

Direct cardio-tropic; potential benefit in MI but unstudied in humansGhigo 1997

—

IGF-1 elevation

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

—

Cancer risk

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Avoid — insufficient data

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation

GI symptoms

—

Rare nausea (oral form)

Pigmentation

—

None (unlike full α-MSH)Dalle-Pang 2024

Long-term safety

—

Limited human data

Absolute Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

KPV

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

KPV

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Hexarelin

KPV

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to vial per labelling.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ injection (acute), oral capsule (chronic / gut), topical for skin indications.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

Morning preferred; oral form taken with / before meals.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

29–31G insulin syringe (SQ form).

06Stack Synergy

Hexarelin

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

Hexarelin (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)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006

KPV

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

KPV (NF-κB inhibition, cytokine reduction) + BPC-157 (VEGF-driven angiogenesis, tissue regeneration) form the classic gut-healing stack. KPV reduces inflammatory drive; BPC-157 promotes mucosal repair. Anecdotally favoured for IBD, ulcerative colitis, and post-surgical gut recovery.

KPV: 200–500 mcg oral · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg oral or SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined anti-inflammation + mucosal repair for gut conditions

Dalle-Pang 2024 Sikiric 2018