Ipamorelin

A selective pentapeptide from the growth hormone-releasing peptide class, studied in early clinical research.

Ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide made up of five amino acids that mimics the body's own messenger ghrelin. It was first described in 1998 as the first selective member of its drug class and has been studied in clinical trials including in patients recovering from abdominal surgery. For growth hormone-related applications, no controlled studies in healthy adults are available to date.

Facts

• CAS number: 170851-70-4
• Molecular weight: 711.9 g/mol
• Amino acids: 5
• Purity specification: ≥ 99 % (HPLC, commercial standard)

Evidence

• The original description in a pig model showed that ipamorelin releases growth hormone without a relevant effect on ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, FSH, or LH, unlike older peptides in the same class. Raun et al. 1998, European Journal of Endocrinology, PMID 9849822
• In a rat model of postoperative bowel paralysis, ipamorelin accelerated the return of bowel movement after surgery. Venkova et al. 2009, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, PMID 19289567
• In a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in 117 patients after bowel surgery, the time to the first tolerated meal did not differ statistically between the ipamorelin and placebo groups. International Journal of Colorectal Disease 2014, DOI 10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8

Frequently asked questions

Does ipamorelin raise cortisol like older peptides in the same class
In the available studies, unlike older peptides such as GHRP-6 or GHRP-2, ipamorelin showed no relevant increase in ACTH or cortisol. This is considered its best scientifically documented distinguishing feature.

Is ipamorelin an approved medication
No. The FDA halted ipamorelin's clinical development in 2023. It is not approved in the EU or the US and is sold as a research chemical.

Why was ipamorelin's development stopped
After two deaths occurred in a study population of severely ill patients following abdominal surgery, the FDA halted further development in 2023. A causal link to the peptide is considered scientifically disputed.

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