GHRP-2, also known as pralmorelin or KP-102, is described as a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. The source says it has a diagnostic approval in Japan for growth hormone deficiency, while non-diagnostic uses remain outside that narrow approval context.

How does GHRP-2 work?

The supplied mechanism describes GHRP-2 as an agonist of the ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a. Signaling through this receptor in hypothalamic and pituitary pathways is reported to trigger a pulse of growth hormone release, with normal feedback systems such as somatostatin still limiting the response.

Is GHRP-2 FDA approved?

The source lists GHRP-2 as not FDA approved. It also reports approval in some countries for growth hormone deficiency diagnosis and describes FDA Category 2 restricted status.

What side effects are reported for GHRP-2?

Reported effects in the source include increased appetite, water retention, fatigue, headache, nausea, possible cortisol and prolactin increases, possible histamine release, and a caution against use with active malignancies.

What dose information was supplied for GHRP-2?

The source reports community dosing of 100-300 mcg per dose, 2-3 times daily, and a research row of 100-300 mcg per injection over 8-12 weeks. These are evidence-capture fields for review, not treatment instructions.

Growth Hormone Clinical Trials - human trials under way

GHRP-2

Also known as: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

Synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue also known as pralmorelin.

Status

Clinical Trials

Evidence level: human studies

Typical dose

100–300mcg

Slow intravenous injection for the approved Japanese diagnostic test

Researched for

Growth hormone release, muscle gain, recovery

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

Phase II - Emerging human evidence with important limitations

Use the tools

In plain language

Synthetic hexapeptide also known as pralmorelin or KP-102.
Reported as a growth hormone secretagogue with diagnostic approval in Japan for growth hormone deficiency.
Source lists it as not FDA approved and as FDA Category 2 restricted.
Evidence level is reported as human trials, with research interest in growth hormone release, muscle gain, and recovery.
Dosing and timing fields are captured for review and are not medical instructions.

How it's thought to work

GHRP-2 is reported to act at GHS-R1a, the ghrelin or growth hormone secretagogue receptor. The supplied evidence places the relevant signaling in pituitary and hypothalamic pathways and links receptor activation to a pulsatile release of growth hormone. The source also notes that appetite and other hormonal effects may still occur because the ghrelin system is involved.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The source describes the strongest human evidence for GHRP-2 as its diagnostic role rather than wellness or body-composition use. It reports phase II development and approval in Japan as pralmorelin for growth hormone deficiency testing, including pediatric short-stature contexts. It also cites a human pharmacology study in ten male volunteers where GHRP-2 and metabolite AA-3 were detected in urine after intravenous administration, with anti-doping relevance because the compound is banned in sport. The source does not present solid controlled-trial support for marketed anti-aging, recovery, or body-composition claims.

What it shows

✓ Human studies

Emerging human evidence with important limitations

△ Limitations

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Bottom line: Approved in some countries for growth hormone deficiency diagnosis; not FDA approved and listed as FDA Category 2 restricted in the source. Not FDA Approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

100–300 mcg

2-3x daily

100 mcgfull range seen300 mcg

Community-reported dosing only; the source also notes less appetite increase than GHRP-6, empty-stomach timing, and frequent pairing with a GHRH peptide.

Research dosing

Study-specific protocolsHuman trials under way - protocols are study-specific

Doses observed in studies

100-300 mcg per injection

Research Literature - Observed in studies

Study protocols describe research and are not dosing recommendations.

Duration: 8-12 weeks
Administration: Subcutaneous injection

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Before bed or morning while fasted

2-3 times daily, with main dose before bed

Food recommendation

Empty-stomach timing reported

Why this timing?

The source favors fasted timing and relates bedtime use to physiologic growth hormone pulse patterns.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Increased appetite
Water retention
Fatigue
Headache
Nausea
Possible cortisol and prolactin elevation
Possible histamine release
Active malignancy contraindication

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

Sequence

D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

Community discussion

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GHRP-2

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

What does GHRP-2 do?