Side-by-side · Research reference

IpamorelinvsTesofensine

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 3Draft10/40 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

Tesofensine

SNDRI · Phase 3 obesity candidate

0.25–0.5 mgDaily doseAstrup 2008

9.2 kgWeight ↓ (24 wk)Astrup 2008

Phase 3Evidence levelAstrup 2008

Oral · Once daily morning

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Tesofensine

Primary target

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

Serotonin / norepinephrine / dopamine transporters (SERT / NET / DAT)Astrup 2008

Pathway

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

Triple monoamine reuptake inhibition → ↑synaptic 5-HT, NE, DA → appetite suppression + thermogenesisAstrup 2008

Downstream effect

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

Strong appetite suppression, mild thermogenic effect, weight lossAstrup 2008

Feedback intact?

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

—

Origin

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

Small molecule developed by NeuroSearch (Denmark) for CNS indications, repurposed for obesityAstrup 2008

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Tesofensine

Standard dose

200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998

Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.

0.25–0.5 mg / dayAstrup 2008

Frequency

1–3× per day

Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.

Once daily, morning

Lower / starter dose

100 mcg per dose

0.125 mg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Phase 2b + ongoing Phase 3Astrup 2008

Duration

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

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

24 weeks per studied cycle

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

—

Timing

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

Morning to avoid sleep disruption

Half-life

~2 hoursRaun 1998

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

~9 days (very long)

Form

—

Oral capsule

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Tesofensine

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

Contraindicated

Heart rate / BP

—

Dose-dependent ↑ HR + BPAstrup 2008

Insomnia

—

Dose-related; mitigate with morning timing

Dry mouth

—

Common

Nausea

—

Common

Mood changes

—

Anxiety / agitation possible

Cardiovascular events

—

Phase 3 trial monitoring; not yet FDA-cleared

Absolute Contraindications

Ipamorelin

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

Tesofensine

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Severe cardiovascular disease
·Concurrent MAOI use

Relative Contraindications

Ipamorelin

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

Tesofensine

·Hypertension
·Anxiety disorder
·Insomnia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Ipamorelin

Tesofensine

1. Reconstitution

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

Oral capsule (investigational; not commercial).

2. Injection site

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

Swallow whole with water, morning only.

3. Timing

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

Morning to mitigate insomnia. Do not dose evening.

4. Storage

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

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

Monitor BP + HR + mood. Avoid stimulants + MAOIs.

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

Tesofensine

— no documented stacks