Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) that stimulates GH release via ghrelin receptor agonism. It is not FDA-approved for any indication and has limited published human clinical data. It is widely discussed in online fitness and anti-aging communities, often marketed as the 'safest' GHS due to its selectivity for GH release over cortisol and prolactin.
Growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) peptide
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) that stimulates GH release via ghrelin receptor agonism. It is not FDA-approved for any indication and has limited published human clinical data. It is widely discussed in online fitness and anti-aging communities, often marketed as the 'safest' GHS due to its selectivity for GH release over cortisol and prolactin.
Evidence review
Last reviewed Jul 1, 2026
Next review Jul 29, 2026
Evidence snapshot
Ipamorelin is a first-generation ghrelin mimetic (GHS) pentapeptide identified in the late 1990s; the original pharmacology was published in the European Journal of Endocrinology (Raun et al., 1998).
It is not FDA-approved for any indication. 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' because preclinical data showed it did not significantly increase cortisol or prolactin: this framing reflects community interpretation, not regulatory endorsement.
Commonly stacked with CJC-1295 in telehealth and research-chemical contexts; neither compound is FDA-approved individually or in combination.
Research record
What the evidence record says
- Evidence grade
- Not Graded
- Regulatory status
- Ipamorelin regulatory status has not been fully reviewed by Peptide Report editorial team. See company profiles and regulatory watch for current status.
Evidence records
Studies, registries, reviews, and regulatory records
Evidence review pending
- Detailed evidence review for Ipamorelin is pending editorial assessment. Current summary reflects available public records.
Records: Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue: Pharmacology, Warning Letter: Gram Peptides, FDA BPC-157 compounding safety risk: immunogenicity
Evidence timeline
What changed, and when
Peptide Report last reviewed Ipamorelin on 2026-07-01.
Records: Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue: Pharmacology
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue (ghs) peptide tracked by Peptide Report. See the full profile for current editorial assessment.
Open research questions
What is still unknown
- What is the complete human evidence base for Ipamorelin?
- What are the long-term safety considerations for Ipamorelin?
Tracked claims
Ipamorelin is described as the 'safest' growth hormone secretagogue in online discussions.
Evidence level: Community discussion
Sources: Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue: Pharmacology, Warning Letter: Gram Peptides
How to read this: The 'safest GHS' framing originates from preclinical selectivity data (minimal cortisol/prolactin release) and has been amplified by online communities. This is a community interpretation, not a regulatory determination. Flag explicitly.
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved for any indication.
Evidence level: Primary regulatory
Sources: Warning Letter: Gram Peptides, FDA BPC-157 compounding safety risk: immunogenicity
How to read this: No FDA approval record exists for ipamorelin. Products marketed as 'research use only' remain subject to FDA enforcement. Confirm on each review cycle.
Ipamorelin is commonly stacked with CJC-1295 in online protocols.
Evidence level: Community discussion
Sources: Warning Letter: Gram Peptides
How to read this: The 'Ipamorelin + CJC-1295' stack is one of the most common peptide protocols discussed in fitness and telehealth communities. Track as a claim pattern; do not reproduce dosing instructions.
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Sources on this page
Each source record is linked to the claim or evidence note it supports.
Ipamorelin, the First Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue: Pharmacology
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.
7 linked pagesOpen original ·
pubmed-ipamorelin-pharmacology-1998Warning Letter: Gram Peptides
FDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
35 linked pagesOpen original ·
fda-gram-peptides-warning-2026Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks
FDA risk page lists BPC-157: compounded BPC-157 may pose immunogenicity risk and peptide-related impurity concerns for certain routes of administration.
41 linked pagesOpen original ·
fda-bulk-risk-listRelated compounds
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is a tetrasubstituted GHRH 1-29 analog with a half-life of approximately 30 minutes....
Evidence reviewCJC-1295 (with DAC)
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic GHRH analog developed by ConjuChem using drug affinity complex (DAC) technology to bind...
Evidence reviewMK-677 (Ibutamoren)
MK-677 (ibutamoren) is a non-peptide, orally active growth hormone secretagogue developed by Merck that mimics ghrelin t...
Evidence reviewSermorelin
Sermorelin is a synthetic N-terminal fragment (1-29) of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that was formerly FDA-ap...
Evidence reviewStay informed
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Compare Ipamorelin with similar compounds
3 comparison pages available:
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin · CJC-1295 DAC vs No DAC · MK-677 vs Ipamorelin