Best for Growth hormone release
This page summarizes what public source records show about peptides most frequently studied and discussed for growth hormone release. Each entry is ranked by the depth of clinical evidence and current regulatory status: not by popularity or social media attention. This is an evidence curation, not a recommendation to take any compound. No dosing, purchasing, or treatment guidance is provided.
Tesamorelin
Only GHRH/GHS-class peptide with current FDA approval (Egrifta), backed by a Phase 3 trial published in NEJM.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed (Phase 3)
Regulatory status: FDA-approved (Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy)
Tesamorelin (brand name Egrifta) is a stabilized growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that received FDA approval in 2010 for the reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. It is the only GHRH/GHS-class peptide with FDA approval. The pivotal Phase 3 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Falutz et al., 2010; PMID 20879920), demonstrated significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over 26 weeks in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. Its mechanism involves stimulating endogenous GH release, which in turn increases lipolysis and reduces visceral fat accumulation. The FDA-approved indication is specific to HIV-associated lipodystrophy; online communities discuss tesamorelin for off-label fat loss in non-HIV populations, which is outside the approved indication.
FDA-approved drug label for Egrifta (tesamorelin for injection), indicated for the reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The only GHRH/GHS-class peptide with FDA approval.
fda-egrifta-labelPivotal Phase 3 randomized trial (Falutz et al., 2010; PMID 20879920) showing tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over 26 weeks in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. This trial supported FDA approval of Egrifta.
nejm-tesamorelin-phase3-2010ClinicalTrials.gov registry entries for tesamorelin clinical trials, including the pivotal Phase 3 trials for HIV-associated lipodystrophy that supported FDA approval of Egrifta.
clinicaltrials-gov-tesamorelinFDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026Sermorelin
Previously FDA-approved as Geref for diagnostic use in pediatric growth hormone deficiency; brand discontinued by manufacturer, now widely compounded off-label.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed (legacy clinical literature)
Regulatory status: Previously FDA-approved (Geref, discontinued by manufacturer): now compounded off-label
Sermorelin is a synthetic N-terminal fragment (1-29) of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that was formerly FDA-approved as Geref for diagnostic use in evaluating growth hormone deficiency in children. The manufacturer (EMD Serono) discontinued Geref; the FDA-approved product is no longer commercially available, though the drug was not formally withdrawn for safety reasons. Published clinical literature for sermorelin is primarily from the 1990s–2000s era and focuses on pediatric GH deficiency diagnostic testing; modern adult off-label use via compounding pharmacies lacks robust clinical trial data. Sermorelin is now widely prescribed by telehealth and anti-aging clinics via compounding pharmacies for off-label adult use, which is subject to FDA oversight and the bulk substance risk list framework.
FDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
fda-bulk-risk-listFDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026PubMed index of clinical literature on sermorelin (Geref) for diagnostic testing of growth hormone deficiency in pediatric patients. Sermorelin was formerly FDA-approved as Geref; the brand product has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
pubmed-sermorelin-gh-deficiency-1997MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Oral ghrelin mimetic with multiple published Phase 2 trials showing sustained IGF-1 increases, but never FDA-approved; Merck discontinued development.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed (Phase 2)
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved: research use only, development discontinued by Merck
MK-677 (ibutamoren) is a non-peptide, orally active growth hormone secretagogue developed by Merck that mimics ghrelin to stimulate GH and IGF-1 release. Multiple Phase 2 trials published in peer-reviewed journals demonstrated sustained increases in IGF-1 levels. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (Svensson et al., 2000; PMID 10674575) showed that oral MK-677 replicated the pulsatile GH profile seen with intravenous GH secretagogues in healthy older adults. A 12-month Phase 2 study in hip fracture recovery (Bach et al., 2002; PMID 12004295) showed MK-677 improved functional status in elderly patients with hip fracture. Despite positive pharmacodynamic data, Merck did not advance MK-677 to FDA approval. MK-677 is widely sold online as a 'research chemical' or mislabeled as a 'SARM' despite not being a SARM, and FDA warning letters have addressed such marketing.
Svensson et al. (2000) study (PMID 10674575) demonstrating that oral MK-677 replicated the pulsatile GH profile seen with IV secretagogues in healthy older adults, with sustained IGF-1 increases over 4 weeks.
pubmed-mk677-gh-profile-2000Bach et al. (2002) 12-month Phase 2 trial (PMID 12004295) showing MK-677 improved functional status in elderly patients with hip fracture. Despite positive pharmacodynamic data, Merck did not advance MK-677 to FDA approval.
pubmed-mk677-hip-fracture-2002ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry (NCT01016781) for the MK-677 hip fracture recovery trial sponsored by Merck. MK-677 is not FDA-approved for any indication.
clinicaltrials-gov-mk677-hip-fractureFDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026CJC-1295 (with DAC)
Synthetic GHRH analog with a single published pharmacokinetic study showing GH and IGF-1 elevation, but never FDA-approved; ConjuChem discontinued development.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed (pharmacokinetic study only)
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved: research use only, development discontinued by ConjuChem
CJC-1295 is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies using drug affinity complex (DAC) technology to bind albumin and extend half-life from minutes to days. A published pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study (Teichman et al., 2006, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism; PMID 16569233) showed that CJC-1295 increased GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy subjects for up to 6 days after a single dose: this is the primary peer-reviewed human data. ConjuChem discontinued clinical development and the compound was never submitted to FDA for approval. Two forms exist in community discussions: CJC-1295 with DAC (extended half-life) and CJC-1295 without DAC (modification GRF 1-29); both are research-use-only. CJC-1295 is commonly stacked with ipamorelin in online protocols based on the theoretical rationale of combining GHRH and GHS pathways, but this combination has no FDA-approved clinical data.
Teichman et al. (2006) pharmacokinetic study (PMID 16569233) showing that CJC-1295 increased GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy subjects for up to 6 days after a single dose. The primary published human data for CJC-1295.
pubmed-cjc1295-pharmacokinetics-2006FDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
fda-bulk-risk-listFDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026Ipamorelin
Synthetic GHS pentapeptide with original preclinical pharmacology data but extremely limited published human clinical evidence; not FDA-approved.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed (preclinical pharmacology, limited human data)
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved: research use only
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) that stimulates GH release via ghrelin receptor agonism. The original pharmacology was published in the European Journal of Endocrinology (Raun et al., 1998; PMID 9860070), describing ipamorelin as a selective GHS with minimal cortisol and prolactin release in animal models. It is not FDA-approved for any indication, and human clinical trial data in peer-reviewed literature is extremely limited compared to other GHS compounds like MK-677 or tesamorelin. Online fitness and anti-aging communities frequently describe ipamorelin as the 'safest GHS' based on preclinical selectivity data: this framing reflects community interpretation, not regulatory endorsement. Ipamorelin is commonly stacked with CJC-1295 in telehealth and research-chemical contexts; neither compound is FDA-approved individually or in combination.
Raun et al. (1998) original pharmacology publication (PMID 9860070) describing ipamorelin as a pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue with selectivity for GH release over cortisol and prolactin in animal models.
pubmed-ipamorelin-pharmacology-1998FDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026FDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
fda-bulk-risk-listRankings reflect the strength of published clinical evidence and FDA approval status as of the last reviewed date. FDA-approved compounds rank above previously approved ones, which rank above investigational ones regardless of online attention. Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is the only GHRH/GHS-class peptide with current FDA approval. Sermorelin was previously FDA-approved but the brand product (Geref) was discontinued by the manufacturer. CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and MK-677 are research-use-only compounds with no FDA approval. Update this page when new clinical trial data is published or regulatory status changes.
Source records are stored in the repo and linked from this page.
FDA-approved drug label for Egrifta (tesamorelin for injection), indicated for the reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The only GHRH/GHS-class peptide with FDA approval.
fda-egrifta-labelPivotal Phase 3 randomized trial (Falutz et al., 2010; PMID 20879920) showing tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over 26 weeks in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. This trial supported FDA approval of Egrifta.
nejm-tesamorelin-phase3-2010ClinicalTrials.gov registry entries for tesamorelin clinical trials, including the pivotal Phase 3 trials for HIV-associated lipodystrophy that supported FDA approval of Egrifta.
clinicaltrials-gov-tesamorelinFDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
fda-bulk-risk-listFDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026PubMed index of clinical literature on sermorelin (Geref) for diagnostic testing of growth hormone deficiency in pediatric patients. Sermorelin was formerly FDA-approved as Geref; the brand product has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
pubmed-sermorelin-gh-deficiency-1997Svensson et al. (2000) study (PMID 10674575) demonstrating that oral MK-677 replicated the pulsatile GH profile seen with IV secretagogues in healthy older adults, with sustained IGF-1 increases over 4 weeks.
pubmed-mk677-gh-profile-2000Bach et al. (2002) 12-month Phase 2 trial (PMID 12004295) showing MK-677 improved functional status in elderly patients with hip fracture. Despite positive pharmacodynamic data, Merck did not advance MK-677 to FDA approval.
pubmed-mk677-hip-fracture-2002ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry (NCT01016781) for the MK-677 hip fracture recovery trial sponsored by Merck. MK-677 is not FDA-approved for any indication.
clinicaltrials-gov-mk677-hip-fractureTeichman et al. (2006) pharmacokinetic study (PMID 16569233) showing that CJC-1295 increased GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy subjects for up to 6 days after a single dose. The primary published human data for CJC-1295.
pubmed-cjc1295-pharmacokinetics-2006Raun et al. (1998) original pharmacology publication (PMID 9860070) describing ipamorelin as a pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue with selectivity for GH release over cortisol and prolactin in animal models.
pubmed-ipamorelin-pharmacology-1998