Ipamorelin

NNC 26-0161, Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

A synthetic pentapeptide that acts as a selective growth hormone secretagogue, stimulating GH release from the pituitary gland.

Molecular Profile

Formula C₃₈H₄₉N₉O₅

Mol. Weight 711.9 g/mol

Sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro...

Clinical Data Trials

Scientific Data Studies

Route	Dosage	Bioavailability
Subcutaneous (SC) 100-300 mcg	100-300 mcg	High (90%)	SUB
Intravenous (IV) 3-100 mcg/kg	3-100 mcg/kg	High (100%)	INT
Oral 450 mcg/kg (animal)	450 mcg/kg (animal)	Low (10%)	ORA

How It Works

How It Works: Ipamorelin functions as a ghrelin mimetic, selectively binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a) to stimulate pulsatile release of growth hormone without significantly impacting other hormones.

Binds selectively to GHSR-1a in the pituitary gland.
Enhances cyclic AMP (cAMP) production, promoting GH secretion.
Mimics ghrelin's action but with greater specificity, avoiding increases in cortisol or prolactin.
Supports natural pulsatile GH patterns for physiological effects.

Pairs Well With

Latest Clinical Trials

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Completed PHASE2 NCT00672074

Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin for Management of Post-Operative Ileus

Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Completed PHASE2 NCT01280344

Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin Compared to Placebo for the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function

Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

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Latest Studies

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Utility 2

pubmed Jul 21, 2024

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism.

Lu. Zengbing Z; Ngan. Man P MP; Liu. Julia Y H JYH; Yang. Lingqing L; Tu. Longlo...

In a ferret study, the growth‑hormone‑releasing peptides ipamorelin and anamorelin helped lessen weight loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, but only when given during the later (delayed) phase of the illness. Only anamorelin, when injected directly into the brain, reduced vomiting right after the drug, showing that it needs to reach the brain to work as an anti‑nausea agent. The usual peripheral injection of either peptide didn’t stop vomiting.

Utility 2

pubmed Jul 5, 2024

The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus.

Gouda. Mallikarjun M; Ganesh. C B CB

In a study on tilapia fish, giving the ghrelin‑like peptide ipamorelin for three weeks made the fish eat more and boosted several stages of sperm cell development. It also raised blood levels of hormones that act like testosterone and increased the amount of androgen‑receptor protein in the testes, while not changing brain signals that normally control reproduction.

Utility 3

pubmed Aug 5, 2020

Attenuation of Visceral and Somatic Nociception by Ghrelin Mimetics.

N Mohammadi. Ehsan E; Louwies. Tijs T; Pietra. Claudio C; Northrup. S Robert SR;...

In a rat study, the ghrelin‑like drug ipamorelin (which stays mostly outside the brain) and another ghrelin agonist both lowered pain from a stretched colon and from a light poke on the paw. The pain‑blocking effect disappeared when a ghrelin‑receptor blocker was given, proving the effect works through that receptor. This suggests ipamorelin could help with certain types of acute pain, but the findings are still early and only in animals.

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