Comparison tool
Ipamorelin vs Hexarelin side-by-side
Stack up to four peptides by evidence status, mechanisms, study dosing, side effects, and references.
Comparison tool
Stack up to four peptides by evidence status, mechanisms, study dosing, side effects, and references.
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| Property | Ipamorelin | Hexarelin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone | Growth Hormone |
| Also known as | IPAM, NNC 26-0161 | Examorelin, HEX |
| FDA approved | No | No |
| Clinical status | Investigational; Phase II trials discontinued. Listed as FDA Category 2 pending possible reclassification, with formal status not changed in the source.
| Investigational; clinical trials conducted
|
| What to expect | Anti-aging, muscle building, sleep quality, recovery | GH release, cardiac protection, muscle growth |
| How it works | Ipamorelin is reported to activate GHS-R1a, the ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor, on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. The source links this receptor activity to Gq/phospholipase C signaling, IP3 generation, intracellular calcium release, and pulsatile release of stored growth hormone. It also describes ipamorelin as relatively selective in early characterization, with GH-releasing doses not meaningfully increasing ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, or TSH. Because the mechanism relies on pituitary GH stores, the source indicates that pituitary function and normal feedback biology remain relevant to the response. | Hexarelin is reported to work through GHS-R1a and CD36. GHS-R1a, also known as the ghrelin receptor, is the pituitary-linked pathway associated with growth hormone release. CD36 is described in the source as a receptor present on cardiac muscle cells and small blood vessels; preclinical work links this pathway to coronary-flow changes and protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The source notes that cardiac effects were still seen in growth-hormone-deficient animals, suggesting the cardiac mechanism is not simply downstream of growth hormone release. |
| Typical dosing | 200-300 mcg 2-3x daily · 2-3x daily | 100-200 mcg 2-3x daily · 2-3x daily |
| Research dosing | 100-300 mcg per injection · 8-12 weeks typical · Subcutaneous injection | 100-200 mcg per injection · 4-8 weeks (desensitization occurs) · Subcutaneous injection |
| Typical duration | 8-12 weeks typical | 4-8 weeks (desensitization occurs) |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection |
| Timing | Before bed or morning, fasted Fasted timing reported | Morning and before bed, fasted Empty stomach |
| Evidence level | Clinical Trials | Clinical Trials |
| Possible side effects |
+6 more
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+5 more
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| Research summary | The source identifies Raun et al. 1998 as early foundational work and describes characterization across rats, pigs, and isolated pituitary cells. It reports that ipamorelin released GH without corresponding ACTH or cortisol increases at doses above the GH-release threshold. The source also notes that human development reached Phase II for postoperative ileus before being discontinued for insufficient efficacy. For popular wellness uses such as anti-aging, fat loss, muscle gain, or recovery, the source states that large peer-reviewed human randomized trials are not available and that these claims are extrapolated from mechanism rather than established outcomes. | The source separates Hexarelin's evidence into endocrine and cardiovascular areas. It describes older human endocrine research as supporting growth hormone release. For cardiac protection, the source points mainly to preclinical evidence: a 2002 Circulation Research mechanism paper identifying CD36 as a cardiac receptor for growth hormone-releasing peptides, rodent studies reporting improved left ventricular function and cardiomyocyte protection during ischemia-reperfusion injury, and one 2017 finding involving interleukin-1 signaling. It also cites 2014 and 2017 reviews discussing the cardioprotective hypothesis. The same source cautions that large modern human trials have not shown Hexarelin treats or prevents heart disease, and it notes rapid tolerance with continued exposure as the GH response fades. |
| References | ||
| Full profile | View Details | View Details |
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Track your peptide journeyEducational use only. This information is aggregated from public research and community reports. It is not medical advice, and dosing details are descriptive, not recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.