Evidence current through August 2026

Ipamorelin

Aib–His–D-2-Nal–D-Phe–Lys–NH₂

Ipamorelin, development code NNC 26-0161, is a synthetic amidated pentapeptide developed within Novo Nordisk’s growth-hormone-secretagogue research program. Its sequence is Aib–His–D-2-Nal–D-Phe–Lys–NH₂, where Aib and D-2-Nal are non-proteinogenic amino-acid residues.

Unlike GHRH analogues such as tesamorelin or Modified GRF (1-29), ipamorelin acts through the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a. Activation of this receptor can stimulate a transient release of endogenous growth hormone through hypothalamic and pituitary pathways.

Research areas

Molecular identity
Receptor pathway
Acute human GH response
Human PK
Human endocrine selectivity
Postoperative gastrointestinal recovery
Larger Phase 2 program
Growth, bone, feeding, GI transit, catabolic, and pain models
Human body composition, sleep, healing, cognition, or performance
Human safety

Evidence at a glance

What the current record supports

Molecular identity: A defined amidated pentapeptide; free-base and acetate terminology is inconsistently applied across sources

Receptor pathway: Functional research supports ghrelin/GHS-R1a agonism and growth-hormone release

Acute human GH response: A controlled healthy-volunteer study reported systemic exposure and a short-lived GH episode

Human PK: The same acute study reported approximately linear disposition and a terminal half-life near two hours under its conditions

Qualification

Limitations and evidence gaps

Limitations and contradictory findings

Only two controlled human primary publications were identified, and the published patient trial missed its primary endpoint; the largest completed trial remains unpublished. Acute growth-hormone target engagement is the strongest direct human finding, but it does not establish clinical outcomes involving body composition, recovery, sleep, cognition, performance, or healthy aging.

Preclinical clusters are often sponsor-linked or author-connected, same-model independent replication is sparse, and animal biomarker or growth findings do not establish human benefit. Free-base, acetate, diacetate, and historical TFA forms may not be interchangeable.

Safety and evidence gaps

Clinical exposure is limited to one small acute experiment and perioperative trials, which cannot characterize chronic endocrine, glucose, cardiovascular, oncologic, reproductive, immunogenic, or rare adverse effects. No complete public program was located for repeat-dose toxicology, genotoxicity, reproductive or developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, dedicated safety pharmacology, or validated clinical immunogenicity.

Impurities, aggregation, endotoxin, bioburden, related substances, residual solvents, and inconsistent salt forms create product-quality questions separate from the pharmacology of correctly identified ipamorelin.

Research path

Connected research articles

Overview

Ipamorelin Research Overview

Read overview

Full review

Ipamorelin Full Evidence Review

Ipamorelin, development code NNC 26-0161, is a synthetic amidated pentapeptide with sequence Aib–His–D-2-Nal–D-Phe–Lys–NH₂. It is a functional agonist of the ghrelin/growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor GHS-R1a. P001–P003

Read evidence review

Study map

Connected study records

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

European Journal of Endocrinology

IPA-STUDY-P002

Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology. 1998;139:552–561. DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552. PMID: 9849822.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Pharmaceutical Research

IPA-STUDY-P004

Gobburu JVS, et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharmaceutical Research. 1999;16:1412–1416. DOI: 10.1023/A:1018955126402. PMID: 10496658.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapOngoing

International Journal of Colorectal Disease

IPA-STUDY-P005

Beck DE, et al. Ipamorelin therapy for postoperative ileus after bowel resection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2014;29:1527–1534. DOI: 10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8. PMID:

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapOngoing

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01280344: HT-IPAM-202 postoperative-ileus Phase 2 trial. Registry.

IPA-STUDY-P006

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01280344: HT-IPAM-202 postoperative-ileus Phase 2 trial. Registry.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Journal of Endocrinology

IPA-STUDY-P008

Svensson J, et al. Ipamorelin and rat longitudinal growth and bone mineral outcomes. Journal of Endocrinology. 2000;165:569–577. DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1650569. PMID: 10828840.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Growth Hormone & IGF Research

IPA-STUDY-P009

Johansen PB, et al. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 1999;9:106–113. DOI: 10.1054/ghir.1999.9998. PMID: 10373343; Malmlöf K, et al. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 1999;9:445–450. DOI: 10.1054/ghir.1999.0128. PMID: 10629165; Andersen NB, et al. Gro

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

IPA-STUDY-P010

Lall S, et al. Effects of Ipamorelin on food intake and adiposity in mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2001;280:132–138. DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.4065. PMID: 11162489.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

IPA-STUDY-P011

Venkova K, et al. Ipamorelin effects in rat postoperative ileus. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2009;329:1110–1116. DOI: 10.1124/jpet.108.149211. PMID: 19289567.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Journal of Experimental Pharmacology

IPA-STUDY-P012

Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, et al. Ipamorelin and gastrointestinal contractile recovery after surgery. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology. 2012;4:149–155. DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S35396. PMID: 27186127. Full text.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Journal of Experimental Pharmacology

IPA-STUDY-P013

Mohammadi EN, et al. Antinociceptive effects of Ipamorelin in rat models. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology. 2020;12:267–274. DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S249747. PMID: 32801950.

View study

Compound referenceSee approved evidence mapCompleted

Physiology & Behavior

IPA-STUDY-P014

Lu Z, et al. Ipamorelin in a ferret cisplatin model. Physiology & Behavior. 2024;284:114644. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114644. PMID: 39043357.

View study

Source ledger

References

P001Compound reference

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee briefing: Ipamorelin free base and acetate. 2024. FDA briefing.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee briefing: Ipamorelin free base and acetate. 2024. FDA briefing.(2024)
P002Compound reference

European Journal of Endocrinology

Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology. 1998;139:552–561. DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552. PMID: 9849822.(1998). DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552
P003Compound reference

Helsinn. Stabilized Ipamorelin diacetate formulation. US20100317581A1. Patent.

Helsinn. Stabilized Ipamorelin diacetate formulation. US20100317581A1. Patent.
P004Compound reference

Pharmaceutical Research

Gobburu JVS, et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Gobburu JVS, et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of Ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharmaceutical Research. 1999;16:1412–1416. DOI: 10.1023/A:1018955126402. PMID: 10496658.(1999). DOI: 10.1023/A:1018955126402
P005Compound reference

International Journal of Colorectal Disease

Beck DE, et al. Ipamorelin therapy for postoperative ileus after bowel resection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study. Beck DE, et al. Ipamorelin therapy for postoperative ileus after bowel resection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2014;29:1527–1534. DOI: 10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8. PMID: 25331030. Registry: NCT00672074.(2014). DOI: 10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8
P006Compound reference

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01280344: HT-IPAM-202 postoperative-ileus Phase 2 trial. Registry.

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01280344: HT-IPAM-202 postoperative-ileus Phase 2 trial. Registry.
P007Compound reference

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07717866: multi-component observational record. Registry.

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT07717866: multi-component observational record. Registry.
P008Compound reference

Journal of Endocrinology

Svensson J, et al. Ipamorelin and rat longitudinal growth and bone mineral outcomes. Svensson J, et al. Ipamorelin and rat longitudinal growth and bone mineral outcomes. Journal of Endocrinology. 2000;165:569–577. DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1650569. PMID: 10828840.(2000). DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1650569
P009Compound reference

Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Johansen PB, et al. Johansen PB, et al. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 1999;9:106–113. DOI: 10.1054/ghir.1999.9998. PMID: 10373343; Malmlöf K, et al. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 1999;9:445–450. DOI: 10.1054/ghir.1999.0128. PMID: 10629165; Andersen NB, et al. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 2001;11:266–272. DOI: 10.1054/ghir.2001.0239. PMID: 11735244.(1999). DOI: 10.1054/ghir.1999.9998
P010Compound reference

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Lall S, et al. Effects of Ipamorelin on food intake and adiposity in mice. Lall S, et al. Effects of Ipamorelin on food intake and adiposity in mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2001;280:132–138. DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.4065. PMID: 11162489.(2001). DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.4065
P011Compound reference

Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

Venkova K, et al. Ipamorelin effects in rat postoperative ileus. Venkova K, et al. Ipamorelin effects in rat postoperative ileus. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2009;329:1110–1116. DOI: 10.1124/jpet.108.149211. PMID: 19289567.(2009). DOI: 10.1124/jpet.108.149211
P012Compound reference

Journal of Experimental Pharmacology

Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, et al. Ipamorelin and gastrointestinal contractile recovery after surgery. Greenwood-Van Meerveld B, et al. Ipamorelin and gastrointestinal contractile recovery after surgery. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology. 2012;4:149–155. DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S35396. PMID: 27186127. Full text.(2012). DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S35396
P013Compound reference

Journal of Experimental Pharmacology

Mohammadi EN, et al. Antinociceptive effects of Ipamorelin in rat models. Mohammadi EN, et al. Antinociceptive effects of Ipamorelin in rat models. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology. 2020;12:267–274. DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S249747. PMID: 32801950.(2020). DOI: 10.2147/JEP.S249747
P014Compound reference

Physiology & Behavior

Lu Z, et al. Ipamorelin in a ferret cisplatin model. Lu Z, et al. Ipamorelin in a ferret cisplatin model. Physiology & Behavior. 2024;284:114644. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114644. PMID: 39043357.(2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114644
P015Compound reference

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee minutes. Minutes.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee minutes. Minutes.(2024)
P016Compound reference

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding May Present Significant Safety Risks. FDA record.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding May Present Significant Safety Risks. FDA record.
P017Compound reference

World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List. Official list.

World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List. Official list.(2026)
P018Compound reference

Therapeutic Goods Administration. Reasons for final scheduling decisions, March 2015; Australia Poisons Standard 2026. TGA decision.

Therapeutic Goods Administration. Reasons for final scheduling decisions, March 2015; Australia Poisons Standard 2026. TGA decision.(2015)
P019Compound reference

Health Canada. Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm your health. 2026. Official warning.

Health Canada. Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm your health. 2026. Official warning.(2026)
P020Compound reference

Claim-provenance controls: Nass R, et al., MK-677 lean-mass trial, PMID 18981485; Copinschi G, et al., MK-677 sleep study, PMID 9349662; Stanley TL, et al., Tesamorelin liver/VAT study, PMID 25038357; Teichman SL, et al., CJC-1295 with D...

Claim-provenance controls: Nass R, et al., MK-677 lean-mass trial, PMID 18981485; Copinschi G, et al., MK-677 sleep study, PMID 9349662; Stanley TL, et al., Tesamorelin liver/VAT study, PMID 25038357; Teichman SL, et al., CJC-1295 with DAC, PMID 16352683. These sources concern other compounds and are exclusion controls only.