Side-by-side · Research reference
IpamorelinvsMelanotan-II
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 1Reviewed21/57 cited
BPhase 1Reviewed9/43 cited
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Ipamorelin
Melanotan-II
Primary target
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998
MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996
Pathway
GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998Bowers 1991
MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996Simerly 2023
Downstream effect
GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002
Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996
Origin
Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998
Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Ipamorelin
Melanotan-II
Standard dose
200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998
Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
—
Frequency
1–3× per day
Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
Daily during loading; 1–2× per week maintenance
Lower / starter dose
100 mcg per dose
0.1 mg / day
Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)
GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
8–12 weeks per cycle
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
Bacteriostatic water; protect from light
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)
Half-life
~2 hoursRaun 1998
Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).
~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days
Maintenance
—
0.5–1.0 mg 1–2×/week
After visible tan develops; supports with UV exposure.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Ipamorelin
Melanotan-II
Hunger
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
—
Injection site reaction
Mild irritation possible
—
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
Contraindicated
Nausea
—
Common, especially loading phase
Flushing
—
Common transient
Increased mole / freckle pigmentation
—
Existing moles darken; new lesions possible
Melanoma risk
—
Theoretical concern — increased melanocyte activity; CAUTION in melanoma history
Appetite suppression
—
MC4R-mediated; mild
Absolute Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Melanotan-II
- ·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Active uncontrolled hypertension
Relative Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
- ·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
Melanotan-II
- ·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
- ·Personal or family melanoma history
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Ipamorelin
Melanotan-II
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
29–31G insulin syringe.
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
Melanotan-II
— no documented stacks