Ipamorelin
A selective growth-hormone-releasing peptide, often paired with CJC-1295; limited human data.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD
Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy
Quick answer
Ipamorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide (a ghrelin-receptor agonist) valued for stimulating growth hormone relatively selectively, with fewer effects on cortisol or appetite than older GHRPs. It is not FDA-approved, has limited human outcome data, and is prohibited in sport. It is often paired with CJC-1295.
- Drug class
- Growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)
- FDA status
- Not approved
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
- Evidence grade
- C (Emerging Human Data)
- Banned in sport
- Yes (WADA)
Key takeaways
- →Ipamorelin stimulates growth-hormone release through the ghrelin receptor, relatively selectively.
- →It is valued for causing less increase in cortisol and appetite than older growth-hormone-releasing peptides.
- →Human outcome data is limited, and it is not FDA-approved.
- →It is prohibited in sport and is commonly combined with CJC-1295.
Ipamorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide often mentioned alongside CJC-1295. Its selling point is selectivity: it stimulates growth-hormone release with relatively little effect on cortisol or appetite compared with earlier compounds in its class. Like most peptides here, its mechanism is reasonable but its human outcome evidence is thin.
How Ipamorelin works
Ipamorelin activates the growth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor on the pituitary, prompting a pulse of growth-hormone release. It works through a different pathway than GHRH analogs like CJC-1295 or sermorelin, which is the rationale for combining the two.
What the evidence shows, by use
Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.
Stimulating growth-hormone release
CEmerging Human DataShown to trigger GH release; robust long-term human outcome data is limited.
Body composition / recovery / anti-aging
DPreclinical OnlyCommon goals with little controlled human evidence for ipamorelin specifically.
Dosing
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved and has no official dose. Protocols, often paired with CJC-1295, come from community practice. Because much supply is research-grade material, any use should go through a licensed clinician and legitimate pharmacy.
Side effects
- •Injection-site reactions · Common
- •Headache · Reported
- •Flushing or lightheadedness · Reported
- •Water retention · Reported
Legal & regulatory status
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved and is prohibited in sport. It is sold and compounded outside a formal approval.
Is Ipamorelinlegal? Full regulatory status →Where to get it: TeleRanked independently ranks the telehealth providers that offer clinician-prescribed peptides. See our Peptide Therapy rankings. We rank providers, we do not sell compounds, and rankings are never for sale.
Frequently asked questions
Why is ipamorelin used with CJC-1295?+
They stimulate growth-hormone release through different receptors (ghrelin versus GHRH), so they are combined on the theory that the effects are complementary.
Is ipamorelin FDA-approved?+
No. Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved and is prohibited in sport.
How we grade evidence
Grade C: Emerging Human Data. Early or small human studies exist; results are preliminary and not yet confirmed at scale. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.
Sources
- 1.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 2.WADA Prohibited List · World Anti-Doping Agency