Side-by-side · Research reference
IpamorelinvsTB-500
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 2Reviewed8/46 cited
Ipamorelin
Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
TB-500
Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing
SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Ipamorelin
TB-500
Primary target
Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998
G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012
Pathway
GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998Bowers 1991
Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012Malinda 1999
Downstream effect
GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002
Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012
Feedback intact?
Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002
Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies
Origin
Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998
17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Ipamorelin
TB-500
Standard dose
200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998
Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.
2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012
Anecdotal community range; clinical Phase 2 trials used 70–840 mcg/kg IV.
Frequency
1–3× per day
Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.
2× per week (loading); then 1× per week (maintenance)
Lower / starter dose
100 mcg per dose
1 mg per injection
Evidence basis
Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998Sigalos 2018
Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)
GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.
4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial
Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food
Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)
Half-life
~2 hoursRaun 1998
Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).
~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Ipamorelin
TB-500
Hunger
Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk
—
Injection site reaction
Mild irritation possible
Mild erythema, transient pain
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
Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
GI symptoms
—
Rare nausea (anecdotal)
Lethargy / fatigue
—
Reported anecdotally during loading phase
Antibody formation
—
No data (no long-term human trials)
Long-term safety
—
Unknown beyond Phase 2
Absolute Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
TB-500
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
Ipamorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
- ·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
TB-500
- ·Cancer history
- ·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Ipamorelin
TB-500
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5–5 mg/mL. Roll gently.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
27–31G, 4–8 mm 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
TB-500
+ BPC-157
StrongTB-500 and BPC-157 cover complementary halves of tissue repair: BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis and fibroblast outgrowth; TB-500 sequesters G-actin to enable endothelial / epithelial migration. The anecdotal canonical "healing stack" — pairs especially well for tendon and ligament injuries.
- TB-500
- 2 mg SQ · 2× per week
- BPC-157
- 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
- Primary benefit
- Combined angiogenesis + cell migration for tendon/ligament/muscle repair