Ipamorelin

often paired with CJC-1295 · D-tier (Dr. Alex Tatem) · Limited evidence

A “clean” GH releaser (little effect on cortisol or prolactin), but its one real clinical trial failed.

Dr. Tatem’s take

D-tier: “Why are you trying to boost growth hormone? If you really want to cut weight and lose fat, we have so much better options now.”

In Dr. Tatem’s tier list

• Brings back memories from his fellowship, when it was one of the most-requested new compounds.
• The demand for GH secretagogues came from “science colliding with legislation”: after the US restricted growth hormone to specific diseases, longevity GH clinics closed and the market looked for drugs that raise GH without being GH.
• Ipamorelin raises GH through the ghrelin receptor (like MK-677, but injectable).
• Its one real trial — gut recovery after abdominal surgery — was equivocal, and the drug was abandoned soon after.
• It does raise IGF-1 and seems safe beyond injection-site reactions, but: “Why are you trying to boost growth hormone? If you really want to cut weight and lose fat, we have so much better options now.” Verdict: D tier.

History & background

Ipamorelin was developed by Novo Nordisk and described in 1998 as the first selective GH secretagogue — it releases growth hormone without the cortisol and prolactin bumps seen with older GHRPs.

Helsinn later tested it for post-operative ileus (slow gut recovery after bowel surgery); the phase 2 trial published in 2014 missed its primary endpoint and development stopped. It remains on FDA’s Category 2 list for outsourcing facilities and is banned in sport.

Benefits

• Raises GH selectively without much effect on cortisol or prolactin.

Risks

• Generally well tolerated in trials.
• Theoretical GH/IGF-1 axis risks.

Dosing protocols (informational, labeled by evidence)

• Clinical trial / label: Phase 2 postoperative ileus — 0.03 mg/kg, IV infusion, Twice daily, Post-op day 1 to day 7 or discharge
• Community (bro science): Community protocol — 100–300 mcg (commonly 200–300), SubQ, 1–3x daily (often morning and bedtime, fasted), 8–12 wk, then 2–4 wk off
• Community (bro science): CJC/ipamorelin stack: Typical clinic/community stack — 100 mcg Mod GRF + 100–200 mcg ipamorelin, SubQ (often one premixed vial), 1–3x daily fasted, or once at bedtime; some do 5 days on/2 off, 8–12 wk

Status: Not approved. Still on FDA’s Category 2 “significant safety risk” list for outsourcing facilities (503B).

Grade and commentary: Dr. Alex Tatem. Watch: The Truth About Popular Peptides (What Works, What’s Overhyped) | Peptide Tier List pt.1. Subscribe: @DrAlexTatem.