Oral growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) — non-peptide
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. It is not FDA-approved for any indication; Merck discontinued clinical development. Despite multiple published Phase 2 trials showing IGF-1 increases, the compound is sold as a research chemical and is widely discussed in fitness and anti-aging communities.
Track clinical trial history and community claims. Do not publish dosing, sourcing, or treatment instructions. Flag the gap between published Phase 2 data and the absence of FDA approval or continued development.
MK-677 is an oral, non-peptide ghrelin receptor agonist (GHS) developed by Merck; multiple Phase 2 trials published in peer-reviewed journals demonstrated sustained increases in IGF-1 levels.
A 12-month Phase 2 study in hip fracture recovery (NCT01016781; PMID 12004295) showed MK-677 improved functional status in elderly patients with hip fracture, but development was not advanced to approval.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (PMID 10674575) demonstrated that oral MK-677 replicated the pulsatile GH profile seen with intravenous GH secretagogues in healthy older adults.
MK-677 is not FDA-approved for any indication and is widely sold online as a 'research chemical' or 'SARM' despite not being a SARM; FDA warning letters have addressed such marketing.
Evidence level: Peer reviewed
Sources: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (PubMed), Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (PubMed)
Cite the published Phase 2 trials directly. IGF-1 increases are a pharmacodynamic marker, not a clinical outcomes claim. Multiple trials showed sustained IGF-1 elevation but no approved indication resulted.
Evidence level: Primary regulatory
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov / U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
No FDA approval record exists. Merck (the original developer) did not advance the compound to approval. Products sold as 'research chemicals' are subject to FDA enforcement.
Evidence level: Community discussion
Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The research-chemical marketing of MK-677 exists alongside genuine Phase 2 clinical data — this creates a misleading impression of legitimacy. Track the marketing claims and FDA enforcement context.
Source records are stored in the repo and linked from each claim.
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.
Bach 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.
ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry (NCT01016781) for the MK-677 hip fracture recovery trial sponsored by Merck. MK-677 is not FDA-approved for any indication.
FDA warning letter discussing peptide products marketed online and the limits of research-use-only positioning.
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