Side-by-side · Research reference
IpamorelinvsLL-37
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED21/57 cited
BHuman-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED15/35 cited
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
LL-37
Cathelicidin · Human AMP
Broad-spectrumAntimicrobial activity
Endogenous · Secreted at inflammation sites
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Ipamorelin
LL-37
Primary target
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998
Pathway
GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998Bowers 1991
hCAP-18 precursor → Proteinase-3 cleavage → LL-37 release → Membrane insertion/disruption
Downstream effect
GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002
Membrane permeabilization, cytokine induction, autophagy, phagosome-lysosome fusion, chemotaxisAhmad 2026Zhang 2026
Origin
Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998
Endogenous human cathelicidin (37-AA fragment, residues 134–170 of hCAP-18)
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Ipamorelin
LL-37
Standard dose
200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998
Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
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Frequency
1–3× per day
Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
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Lower / starter dose
100 mcg per dose
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Evidence basis
Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998Sigalos 2018
In vitro, animal models, human observational
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)
GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
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Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
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Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
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Endogenous expression
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Constitutive in neutrophils, epithelial tissues
Upregulated during infection and inflammation.Pinheiro 2026
Exogenous (experimental)
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Dose varies by study; antimalarial ~10–50 μM in vitro
No FDA-approved exogenous formulation.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Ipamorelin
LL-37
Hunger
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
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Injection site reaction
Mild irritation possible
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GH excess (overdose)
Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance
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IGF-1 elevation
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use
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Cancer risk
Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy
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Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
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Cytotoxicity (high dose)
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Membrane disruption in host cells at supraphysiological concentrations
Pro-inflammatory signaling
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Can exacerbate inflammation in certain contexts (context-dependent)Pinheiro 2026
Theoretical cancer risk
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Immunomodulatory roles in tumor microenvironment under investigation
Absolute Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
LL-37
—Relative Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
- ·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
LL-37
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical immune dysregulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Ipamorelin
LL-37
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
LL-37 is constitutively expressed in neutrophils and epithelial cells, cleaved from hCAP-18 by proteinase-3 at sites of infection or inflammation.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
Synthetic LL-37 and derivatives (e.g., SAMP-12aa) tested in vitro and animal models. Administered via topical, intraperitoneal, or intravenous routes in research settings.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
LL-37 is resistant to pepsin degradation at gastric pH. Synthetic short peptides designed to retain this stability while reducing toxicity.Lu 2026
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
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5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
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06Stack Synergy
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
LL-37
— no documented stacks