Overview
Ipamorelin is a growth hormone-related peptide. Selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide.
With a half-life of ~2 hours, Ipamorelin requires daily administration in most observed protocols. Administered via SubQ injection, it has a bioavailability of approximately 95% via its primary route.
Half-life approximately 2 hours. Pentapeptide structure. Selective GH release with minimal effect on cortisol and prolactin pathways. Subcutaneous administration. One-compartment model.
Mechanism of Action
Ipamorelin's pharmacological activity involves the following key pathways:
Ghrelin Receptor Agonism
Ipamorelin acts as a growth hormone secretagogue by binding to the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor, triggering GH release from the pituitary.
Synergy with GHRH
GH secretagogues like Ipamorelin work synergistically with GHRH analogs — co-administration amplifies GH release beyond what either produces alone.
Dosing Protocols
The following protocols represent commonly observed dosing patterns. These are observational summaries, not recommendations.
Dose
100 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Dose
300 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Reconstitution Steps
Ipamorelin is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and requires reconstitution before use. Common vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
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1
Gather supplies
You will need the lyophilised Ipamorelin vial, bacteriostatic water (BAC water), an insulin syringe (U-100), and an alcohol swab. BAC water's benzyl alcohol content prevents microbial growth and extends the reconstituted solution's usable life to 28 days.
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2
Clean both vial tops
Wipe the rubber septum of both the peptide vial and the BAC water vial with a fresh alcohol swab and allow to air-dry for 10–15 seconds before inserting any needle.
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3
Draw the bacteriostatic water
For a 5 mg vial, draw 2.5 mL of bacteriostatic water. This yields a concentration of 2,000 mcg/mL — a 100 mcg dose equals 5 units, a 200 mcg dose equals 10 units, and a 300 mcg dose equals 15 units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
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4
Inject the water slowly along the vial wall
Angle the needle so the stream of water runs gently down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder cake. This avoids foaming and mechanical disruption of the peptide structure.
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5
Swirl to dissolve
Gently roll the vial between your palms for 20–30 seconds until the powder is fully dissolved and the solution is clear and colourless. Ipamorelin dissolves readily — if cloudiness persists after gentle swirling, allow the vial to sit for a further 60 seconds before re-swirling.
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6
Store and label
Refrigerate at 2–8°C immediately after reconstitution and label the vial with the date. Discard any remaining solution after 28 days. Ipamorelin is commonly drawn into the same syringe as CJC-1295 (no DAC) for concurrent administration.
Quick Reconstitution Math
5 mg vial + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2,000 mcg/mL. A 200 mcg dose = 10 units on a U-100 syringe. A 100 mcg dose = 5 units. Use the Milligram reconstitution calculator for custom vial sizes.
Reconstituted solution stable refrigerated at 2–8°C for up to 28 days. Lyophilised powder stores frozen at –20°C for up to 2 years. Avoid vigorous shaking and repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ipamorelin and how does it work?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide and selective agonist of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). It was the first GHRP-class compound identified with a GH-release selectivity profile comparable to GHRH, stimulating pulsatile GH secretion from the pituitary without the significant cortisol, ACTH, or appetite increases associated with earlier secretagogues like GHRP-6. Peak GH concentrations in humans are typically observed approximately 40 minutes after administration, with a rapid decline thereafter consistent with its ~2-hour half-life.
How selective is Ipamorelin compared to other GHRPs?
Ipamorelin is widely regarded as the most selective GHRP-class compound. Unlike GHRP-6 and GHRP-2, which produce significant co-release of cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH alongside GH, Ipamorelin's cortisol and ACTH responses are not significantly different from those observed with GHRH stimulation alone – even at doses more than 200–fold above its GH-effective dose. This selectivity profile makes it a cleaner tool for studying GH secretion independently of HPA-axis activation.
How is Ipamorelin typically dosed?
Observed protocols commonly use 100–300 mcg per injection, administered subcutaneously 1–3 times daily. Timing injections to align with the body's natural GH windows – fasted morning, post-exercise, and pre-sleep – is the most frequently reported approach. Pre-sleep dosing is particularly common given the overlap with the body's largest endogenous nightly GH pulse. Some protocols observe 5-on/2-off weekly cycling rather than continuous daily administration.
What effects are associated with Ipamorelin use?
Reported effects in observational contexts include improved sleep quality (often noted within the first 1–2 weeks), enhanced workout recovery, gradual improvements in lean body mass and fat reduction over 8–12 weeks, and increased connective tissue resilience. Because of its selectivity profile – minimal cortisol activation and negligible appetite stimulation – Ipamorelin is generally associated with fewer acute side effects than older GHRP compounds. Mild transient flushing or tingling at the injection site is occasionally reported.
Why is Ipamorelin typically stacked with CJC-1295?
Ipamorelin (a GHRP acting on GHS-R1a) and CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog acting on the GHRH receptor) work through two distinct receptor pathways, and their combined administration produces synergistic GH release estimated at 3–5 times greater than either compound alone. CJC-1295 drives the amplitude of the GH pulse by stimulating pituitary somatotrophs, while Ipamorelin amplifies pulse magnitude and helps suppress somatostatin – the hormone that dampens GH release between pulses. The two are commonly combined in equal doses in the same syringe.
How should Ipamorelin be stored after reconstitution?
Lyophilised (dry powder) vials should be stored frozen at –20°C and are typically stable for up to 2 years under those conditions. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, the solution should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 28 days. Avoid vigorous shaking and repeated freeze–thaw cycles, both of which can degrade the peptide bonds in this short pentapeptide structure.