Ipamorelin
Status unknownAlso known as: 170851-70-4, NNC-26-0161, Y9M3S784Z6, Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, NNC-260161, NNC 26-0161, Aib-His-2Nal-Phe-Lys-NH2, 2-Methylalanyl-L-histidyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-D-alanyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-lysinamide
Ipamorelin (170851-70-4, NNC-26-0161, Y9M3S784Z6) is classified under ghrelin / gh secretagogues.
What the research says
Aggregated from the cited literature below. We summarize sources — we don't author claims.
Ipamorelin is described in the provided literature as a synthetic pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) with growth hormone (GH)-releasing properties. Reviews in orthopaedics/sports medicine discuss ipamorelin as a “growth hormone secretagogue” (GH/IGF-1 signaling–associated peptide) while noting that clinical evidence for musculoskeletal uses is limited.
Mechanism (as reported)
A pharmacology profile reported that ipamorelin stimulates GH release via a GHRP-like receptor (PMID 9849822). A PK/PD modeling study in humans described that ipamorelin induces episodic GH release after administration (PMID 10496658).
Key findings (each cites a source)
- Ipamorelin was described as a growth-hormone-releasing pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) with GH-releasing potency/efficacy assessed in vitro and in vivo, and its GH release profile was characterized as similar to GHRP-6 and mediated via a GHRP-like receptor (PMID 9849822). [PMID 9849822]
- In adult female rats, research reported that ipamorelin increased longitudinal bone growth rate in a dose-dependent manner and assessed several bone-related endpoints (PMID 10373343). [PMID 10373343]
- A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling study in human volunteers reported dose-proportional PK parameters, a short terminal half-life (~2 hours), and episodic GH release after ipamorelin exposure, with an indirect response model to describe the concentration–GH relationship (PMID 10496658). [PMID 10496658]
- In young adult female rats, research reported that continuous ipamorelin treatment increased bone mineral content in vivo (DXA measurements) and increased/altered bone dimensions and cortical bone cross-sectional area in analyses that were also reported as not changing certain volumetric density measures (PMID 10828840). [PMID 10828840]
- Orthopaedics-focused reviews described ipamorelin as a growth hormone secretagogue activating IGF-1 signaling and satellite-cell repair, while emphasizing a lack of clinical trials for orthopaedic applications (PMID 41490200). [PMID 41490200]
- A narrative review on injectable peptide therapy in orthopaedics/sports medicine noted that while growth-hormone secretagogue approaches (including CJC-1295 + ipamorelin in murine models) showed muscle-related effects in animal studies, limitations included that findings were limited to animal studies and that clinical parameters such as indications and dosing remain unknown (PMID 41476424). [PMID 41476424]
- A review addressing approved and unapproved peptide therapies for musculoskeletal injuries and athletic performance reported that, for many peptides marketed to patients (including ipamorelin), rigorous human safety data were scarce and potential for serious harm was discussed (PMID 41966639). [PMID 41966639]
- A review on growth hormone secretagogues in hypogonadal males discussed ipamorelin among GH/IGF-1 stimulators and stated that current clinical efficacy data are limited for understanding their role in hypogonadism-related body composition changes (PMID 32257855). [PMID 32257855]
Independent test grades (56 vendors)
Aggregated from Finnrick (independent testing). Their grades, attributed — not our verdict.
| Vendor | Grade | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Peptide Partners | A | 9.9 |
| Injectify | A | 9.3 |
| Peptide Sciences | A | 9.2 |
| Bulk Peptide Wholesale | A | 8.8 |
| Reta-Peptide | B | 8.8 |
| Yiwu Aozuo Trading Co | A | 8.7 |
| Planet Peptide | A | 8.7 |
| Accelerate Labs | A | 8.6 |
| NUPEPS Peptides | A | 8.6 |
| Paramount Peptides | A | 8.2 |
| Mai Peptide | C | 8.0 |
| HK Peptides | C | 7.9 |
| NextechLabs | A | 7.9 |
| LiliPeptide | D | 7.8 |
| Shenzhen Loga Tech LG LOGA | A | 7.8 |
| HXNet | B | 7.7 |
| Astro Peptides | A | 7.7 |
| Tianjin Ruiwang New Material Technology Co | B | 7.7 |
| Shanghai Sigma Audley SSA | F | 7.7 |
| Wuhan Wansheng Biotechnology | F | 7.7 |
| Uther D | D | 7.6 |
| Prime Peptides | A | 7.6 |
| HkRoids | E | 7.6 |
| Precision Peptide Co | B | 7.5 |
| Peptide-S | B | 7.5 |
Research literature (8)
Consolidated from PubMed — each links to the original record.
- Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.
Mendias CL, Awan TM · Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2026 · PMID 41966639
- Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.
Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026 · PMID 41490200
- Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.
Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, Lin EH, Liu JN, Rick Hatch GF · The American journal of sports medicine · 2026 · PMID 41476424
- Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males.
Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, Rivera-Mirabal J, Yu J, Kovac J · Translational andrology and urology · 2020 · PMID 32257855
- The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats.
Svensson J, Lall S, Dickson SL, Bengtsson BA, Rømer J, Ahnfelt-Rønne I · The Journal of endocrinology · 2000 · PMID 10828840
- Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers.
Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L · Pharmaceutical research · 1999 · PMID 10496658
- Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats.
Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, Flyvbjerg A, Andreassen TT, Wilken M · Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society · 1999 · PMID 10373343
- Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue.
Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, Thøgersen H, Madsen K, Ankersen M · European journal of endocrinology · 1998 · PMID 9849822
FAQ
- What is Ipamorelin?
- Ipamorelin (170851-70-4, NNC-26-0161, Y9M3S784Z6) is classified under ghrelin / gh secretagogues. Research goals associated with it include gh axis support.
- Is Ipamorelin FDA-approved?
- The regulatory status of Ipamorelin is not established in our sources.
- What does the research on Ipamorelin say?
- peptideone aggregates 8 references from PubMed for Ipamorelin. The summary on this page digests them with citations; we summarize sources and make no efficacy claims.