Side-by-side · Research reference

IpamorelinvsPTD-DBM

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

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED10/40 cited

Ipamorelin

Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic

200–300 mcgPer doseRaun 1998

Phase 1Evidence levelRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

~2 hrHalf-lifeRaun 1998

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

PTD-DBM

Wnt Pathway Activator · Fusion Peptide

Topical / SQAdministrationLee 2023 Ryu 2023

Animal-onlyEvidence level

Wnt/β-cateninPrimary pathway

Topical / SQ · Study-dependent

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Ipamorelin

PTD-DBM

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

CXXC5–Dishevelled protein-protein interaction

Pathway

GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998 Bowers 1991

Inhibit CXXC5 binding to Dishevelled → Release Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitionLee 2015 Ryu 2023

Downstream effect

GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002

Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes hair follicle regeneration, dermal stem cell activation, reduced myofibroblast differentiation

Feedback intact?

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

Not applicable — pathway derepression rather than receptor agonism

Origin

Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998

Engineered fusion: cell-penetrating PTD sequence + Dvl-binding motif targeting CXXC5

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Ipamorelin

PTD-DBM

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.

—

Lower / starter dose

100 mcg per dose

—

Evidence basis

Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Animal models only (mice)

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

—

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food

—

Half-life

~2 hoursRaun 1998

Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).

—

Wound healing protocol

—

Hydrogel patch delivery (concentration not disclosed)

Pyrogallol-HA patch, murine model.

Hair regeneration protocol

—

Topical application (exact dose not disclosed)

Wound-induced hair neogenesis model, mice.

Co-administration

—

Valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) for wound healing synergyLee 2023

Combined treatment maximized scar reduction.

Human translation

—

No published human studies

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Ipamorelin

PTD-DBM

Cortisol elevation

Negligible vs other GHRPsRaun 1998

—

Prolactin elevation

NegligibleRaun 1998

—

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

—

Reported adverse events

—

None reported in animal studies

Wnt pathway activation risks

—

Theoretical risk of aberrant proliferation; Wnt dysregulation linked to tumorigenesis

Long-term safety

—

Unknown — no chronic dosing or human data

Delivery vehicle effects

—

HA-PG hydrogel well-tolerated in mice; human translation pending

Absolute Contraindications

Ipamorelin

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

PTD-DBM

·Active malignancy (Wnt pathway involvement in tumorigenesis)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)

Relative Contraindications

Ipamorelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance
·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)

PTD-DBM

·History of Wnt-driven tumors
·Skin lesions with uncertain malignant potential

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Ipamorelin

PTD-DBM

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

Pyrogallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PG) hydrogel patch loaded with PTD-DBM peptide, applied directly to wound bed. Adhesive hydrogel provides sustained release over multiple days.Lee 2023

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

Topical application to scalp or wound site. Precise formulation not disclosed; studies used Cxxc5 knockout or direct peptide application in wound-induced hair neogenesis models.Ryu 2023

3. Timing

Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

PTD-DBM + valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) in HA-PG patch showed synergistic effect on scar reduction and regenerative wound healing. VPA enhances Wnt pathway activation downstream.Lee 2023

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

Not disclosed in available literature. Peptide stability and storage conditions not published.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

—

06Stack Synergy

Ipamorelin

+ Tesamorelin

Strong

View Tesamorelin →

Ipamorelin (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

Raun 1998 Bowers 2002

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

CJC-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

Teichman 2006 Ionescu 2006

PTD-DBM

— no documented stacks