Ipamorelin

A clean-looking GH secretagogue on paper, with sparse modern human data. Popular in 'peptide clinic' stacks. There is no approved indication and no large efficacy program.

A selective ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist, or GHRP. Compared with older GHRPs it was designed to raise GH with less ACTH/cortisol and prolactin spillover — selectivity shown in early clinical pharmacology, not in outcome trials.

Phase 1/2-era studies documented GH release and a relatively quiet cortisol profile. A postoperative ileus program did not produce an approved drug. Claims about sleep, recovery, and fat loss are extrapolations from GH biology.

Not FDA-approved. Research chemical. WADA-prohibited as a GH secretagogue.

Not approved. Ipamorelin acetate remains on FDA's Category 2 compounding list (significant safety risks, including a published serious-adverse-event/death signal when given IV for gastric motility). Not a 503A/503B routine compound. Research-chemical and cash-clinic channels are the unofficial market.

Same four pathways as the Sourcing guide.

None.

A staple of GH-secretagogue stacks. Sold as a 'selective' and therefore 'safe' GHRP — selectivity in early pharmacology is not a chronic-use safety database.

Strand does not list vendors. See the grey market.

GH-axis: water retention, insulin-resistance risk, theoretical IGF-1/cancer issues. Product quality in research vials varies. Not characterized for chronic self-administration.

• Still Category 2 at FDA for compounding: immunogenicity, unnatural amino acids, limited safety data.
• GH-axis water retention and insulin-resistance risk.
• WADA-prohibited as a GH secretagogue.
• IV ileus-program serious events including death are in the published record.

• Raun et al. · 1998 · Eur J Endocrinol

  Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. PMID 9849822.

• FDA Category 2

  Ipamorelin acetate — immunogenicity, characterization, published IV serious adverse events including death.