Side-by-side · Research reference

HexarelinvsPancragen

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

APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED19/45 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED23/39 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

Pancragen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson School

50 μgPrimate doseGoncharova 2014

10 daysTreatment cycleGoncharova 2015

3+ weeksEffect persistenceGoncharova 2014

IM · 10-day cycleGoncharova 2014

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Hexarelin

Pancragen

Primary target

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

Pancreatic acinar and islet cell differentiation pathwaysKhavinson 2013

Pathway

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

Transcription factor activation → Pdx1/Pax6/Pax4/Ptf1a/Foxa2/NKx2.2 upregulation → Cell differentiationKhavinson 2013

Downstream effect

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

Enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function, normalized insulin/C-peptide dynamics, improved glucose clearanceGoncharova 2014

Feedback intact?

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Yes — preserves physiological glucose-insulin response

Origin

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

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from pancreatic tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Hexarelin

Pancragen

Standard dose

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

—

Frequency

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

Once daily for 10 daysGoncharova 2014

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

—

Evidence basis

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Non-human primate RCT, in vitro cell cultureGoncharova 2015 Khavinson 2013

Duration

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

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

—

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

—

Half-life

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

—

Primate dose (rhesus macaque)

—

50 μg / animal / dayGoncharova 2014

20–25-year-old females, 10-day IM protocol.

Effective concentration (in vitro)

—

0.05 ng/mLZakutskiĭ 2006

Organotypic tissue culture, both young and aged rat explants.

Route

—

IntramuscularGoncharova 2015

Treatment cycle

—

10-day course, effects persist 3+ weeks post-withdrawalGoncharova 2014

Diabetes model

—

STZ-induced diabetes (rat)

Evaluated via metabolic markers characterizing apoptosis.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Hexarelin

Pancragen

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

—

Reported adverse events

—

None documented in primate studies

Tolerability

—

Well-tolerated in aged rhesus monkeys (n=9)Goncharova 2015

Human safety data

—

No published human trials; clinical use limited to Russian gerontology protocols

Absolute Contraindications

Hexarelin

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

Pancragen

—

Relative Contraindications

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

Pancragen

·Active pancreatic malignancy (proliferation marker upregulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Hexarelin

Pancragen

1. Reconstitution

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

Lyophilised tetrapeptide reconstituted in sterile saline or water per manufacturer protocol. Concentration not specified in literature.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Intramuscular injection. Primate studies used daily IM dosing for 10 consecutive days.Goncharova 2015

3. Timing

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

No specific timing constraints documented. Administered once daily in primate protocols.

4. Storage

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

10-day treatment course. Restorative effects on pancreatic function persist for at least 3 weeks post-discontinuation.Goncharova 2014

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

—

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

Pancragen

— no documented stacks