Category
Growth hormone axis
Two mechanisms dominate. GHRH analogs (sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295) act on the pituitary’s GHRH receptor. Growth hormone secretagogues (ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, MK-677) act on the ghrelin receptor, GHS-R1a. Tesamorelin is the only one with a current US approval, for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
10 compounds, strongest evidence first
- Ghrelin-receptor agonist GHRP-2 GHRP-2 is a hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist and one of the most potent GH releasers in its class. Approved medicine
- GHRH analog Sermorelin Sermorelin is the active 29-amino-acid fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Approved medicine
- GHRH analog Tesamorelin Tesamorelin is a stabilized form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Approved medicine
- Selective ghrelin-receptor agonist Ipamorelin Ipamorelin is a five-residue ghrelin-receptor agonist described in 1998 as the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Human RCTs
- Oral non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist MK-677 MK-677 (ibutamoren) is an orally active small molecule that mimics ghrelin and raises growth hormone and IGF-1. Human RCTs
- Long-acting GHRH analog CJC-1295 (with DAC) CJC-1295 with DAC is a modified GHRH analog that attaches itself to albumin in the blood, extending its half-life to about six to eight days. Early human data
- Ghrelin-receptor agonist GHRP-6 GHRP-6 is a synthetic hexapeptide described by Cyril Bowers in 1984 that releases growth hormone through what was later identified as the ghrelin receptor. Early human data
- Ghrelin-receptor agonist Hexarelin Hexarelin is a methylated analog of GHRP-6 that releases growth hormone after injection, nasal or oral administration in people. Early human data
- GHRH analog CJC-1295 (no DAC) CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Modified GRF (1-29), is sermorelin with four amino acid substitutions that make it more resistant to breakdown. Animal studies
- Multi-peptide blend CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin blend This blend pairs a GHRH analog (usually CJC-1295 without DAC) with the ghrelin-receptor agonist ipamorelin. Animal studies