Ipamorelin

What it is

Ipamorelin is a synthetic five-amino-acid peptide developed by Novo Nordisk in the 1990s. It belongs to the growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) family and was the first of that group shown to be highly selective for growth hormone release.

How it works

It activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary and hypothalamus, triggering a pulse of growth hormone. Unlike older GHRPs, animal studies found it did not meaningfully raise cortisol, ACTH or prolactin.

What the research shows

• Raun et al. (European Journal of Endocrinology, 1998) described its selective growth hormone release in animals.
• It reached phase 2 human trials for postoperative ileus (slow gut recovery after surgery) but was not developed further after those trials.
• It is often paired with a GHRH analog such as CJC-1295 because the two act through different receptors.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. Growth hormone secretagogues, including ipamorelin, are prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Storage and handling

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder is most stable sealed, dry and protected from light. Laboratory practice is to keep unopened vials frozen at about -20 °C for long-term storage, or refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C for shorter periods. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and use aseptic technique for every draw. Formal stability data in solution has not been published for most research peptides, so follow the supplier's label and certificate of analysis.

Reconstitution math

To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with Ipamorelin selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.

Key references

• Raun K et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998.
• Search PubMed for Ipamorelin studies

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