# Ipamorelin

> Selective ghrelin receptor agonist (GHRP) with minimal cortisol / prolactin release.

- Class: Growth Hormone
- FDA approved: No
- Canonical page: https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/ipamorelin

## Overview

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide GHRP that selectively activates the GHS-R1a (ghrelin) receptor, releasing growth hormone with minimal impact on ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin.

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that selectively activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotrophs. Its defining feature is selectivity: it releases GH with minimal effect on ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin compared with earlier GHRPs.

Because of that clean profile, it is one of the most studied GHRPs in the research literature and is frequently paired with a GHRH analog such as CJC-1295. It is not FDA-approved.

## Mechanism

Selective GHS-R1a agonism.

## Chemistry

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Molecular formula | C38H49N9O5 |
| Molecular weight | 711.9 Da |
| CAS number | 170851-70-4 |
| PubChem CID | [9831659](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9831659) |

## Sequence

```
Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
```

## Research areas

Studied in: GH secretion studies, Pituitary function.

Guides on this site:

- [Growth Hormone & Body Composition](https://www.americanpeptide.com/research-areas/growth-hormone-axis): Secretagogues studied for GH release, IGF-1, and body composition.

## Key research

- Selective GH release — characterized as the first GHRP to release GH without meaningfully raising ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin (Raun et al., 1998).
- GHRH synergy — commonly studied alongside GHRH analogs (CJC-1295 / sermorelin) for amplified, pulse-preserving release.
- Compared to hexarelin — trades raw potency for selectivity: hexarelin releases more GH per dose but recruits cortisol / prolactin and desensitizes the receptor faster.
- Lower desensitization — its clean receptor profile is studied as more sustainable over repeated exposure.
- Not FDA-approved — research compound.

## FAQs

### What is ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist (a GHRP) studied for growth-hormone release with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.

### How is it different from other GHRPs?

Its selectivity — releasing GH without significantly raising ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin — distinguishes it from earlier, less selective GHRPs.

### Why is it paired with CJC-1295?

GHRPs and GHRH analogs act on separate receptors; combining them is studied for synergistic GH release.

### Is it approved?

No — it is a research compound. This page is a research and educational reference.

## Latest research

Recent trials and publications mentioning Ipamorelin, pulled automatically from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed (unfiltered search results, refreshed daily).

### Recent trials

- [Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin for Management of Post-Operative Ileus](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00672074) — COMPLETED · PHASE2 · NCT00672074
- [Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin Compared to Placebo for the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01280344) — COMPLETED · PHASE2 · NCT01280344

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Source: AmericanPeptide.com — https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/ipamorelin
Data license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Attribution: AmericanPeptide.com.
Research reference only — computational and educational content, not medical advice.