Compound research
Ipamorelin: Research Overview & Current Status
Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist pentapeptide). Current research status: discontinued in clinical development. Ipamorelin was studied by Novo Nordisk in earlier-stage clinical development (including for post-operative gastrointestinal motility) but was not brought to FDA approval or ongoing active late-stage development; it has no approved indication and is not a legal dietary supplement ingredient.
Overview
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that acts as a selective agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) in the hypothalamus and pituitary. It was originally developed by Novo Nordisk in the 1990s and studied for its selectivity in triggering GH release from somatotroph cells with comparatively less stimulation of cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin than earlier secretagogues.
growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist pentapeptide)
Research timeline
1990s
Ipamorelin developed and characterized by Novo Nordisk as a selective GHS-R1a agonist, distinguished from GHRP-6 and hexarelin by its lack of significant cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin elevation in preclinical work.
Source →2000s
Clinical-stage evaluation of intravenous ipamorelin for improving post-operative gastric motility; the FDA later cited this study in significant-risk compounding review materials, noting serious adverse events including death were reported.
Source →2020s
Detection methodology for GH secretagogues, including ipamorelin, improved via LC-MS/MS, enabling identification of ipamorelin metabolites in urine for approximately 24-48 hours post-administration for anti-doping purposes.
Source →
Active & recent research
FDA compounding risk review of ipamorelin acetate
immunogenicity potential, peptide-related impurities, and route-specific safety information for compounded ipamorelin
Anti-doping detection methods for GH secretagogues
LC-MS/MS detection windows for ipamorelin metabolites in urine
Key findings
- Preclinical characterization work reported that ipamorelin selectively stimulates GH release via GHS-R1a with minimal effect on cortisol, ACTH, or prolactin, distinguishing it from earlier GH secretagogues such as GHRP-6 and hexarelin.
- FDA review materials cited a study in which intravenous ipamorelin, administered for post-operative gastric motility, was associated with serious adverse events including death, informing the agency's significant-risk classification for certain administration routes.
- No large-scale, published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled human efficacy trial for a specific medical indication has been identified for ipamorelin as of this review.
Safety & regulatory notes
Ipamorelin has no FDA approval and is not a lawful dietary supplement ingredient; the FDA has flagged it in significant-risk compounding materials, citing concerns about immunogenicity, peptide-related impurities, and route-specific unknowns, and cited a study with serious adverse events including death associated with intravenous administration. It is classified by WADA under category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics) as prohibited in and out of competition, with established LC-MS/MS detection methods.
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Where it's sold for research
We haven't built a dedicated vendor-availability page for Ipamorelin yet. See our full research-peptide vendor rankings →
Ipamorelin FAQ
Is ipamorelin FDA-approved?+
No. Ipamorelin has not been approved by the FDA for any indication, and no manufacturer has submitted a New Drug Application or Biologics License Application for it.
What is ipamorelin studied for?+
Preclinical and early clinical-stage research has examined its selective growth hormone-releasing activity via the ghrelin receptor, including an earlier study on post-operative gastric motility.
Is ipamorelin legal to buy for research purposes?+
It is sold by some suppliers labeled for research/laboratory use only; the FDA has cited significant safety concerns in review materials, and it is prohibited for competitive athletes under WADA's S2 category.
Is ipamorelin safe?+
Human safety data are limited and not derived from large controlled trials; FDA compounding-risk materials have cited a study reporting serious adverse events, including death, associated with intravenous administration in a clinical context.
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