Ipamorelin
also known as NNC 26-0161
Pentapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that selectively activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on the anterior pituitary, eliciting GH release without the cortisol or prolactin elevation characteristic of earlier GHRPs. Originally characterised by Raun et al. (1998); preferred GHRP partner for GHRH analogues like tesamorelin and CJC-1295.
At a glance
SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day
Primary target — Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitary [raun-1998].
Pathway — GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosis.
Downstream effect — GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effects [bowers-2002].
Origin — Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivity [raun-1998].
Feedback intact — Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback active [bowers-2002].
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard dose | 200–300 mcg per injectionAnecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials. |
| Frequency | 1–3× per dayOnce daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users. |
| Lower / starter dose | 100 mcg per dose |
| Evidence basis | Phase 1 + clinical practice |
| 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 hoursLonger than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
- — Active malignancy or cancer history
- — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- — Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
- — Untreated diabetes
- — Severe insulin resistance
- — Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)
- 01Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.
- 02Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.
- 03Timing
Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.
- 04Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
- 05Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
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.
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.
Sources
of 57 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [bowers-2002]Bowers 2002 — Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development
JCEM, 2002 - [raun-1998]Raun 1998 — Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Eur J Endocrinol, 1998