Research-only educational guide

Ipamorelin Dosage Calculator and Chart

A structured summary of the published literature describing ipamorelin (a selective growth hormone secretagogue), including dosing concepts discussed in research settings, protocol design considerations, safety notes, and references.

Overview

Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) discussed in the literature as a ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) ligand that can increase growth hormone (GH) release and influence IGF-1 signaling in experimental contexts. [1,2,6]

In humans, ipamorelin is not described as having established therapeutic indications in routine care, and research summaries emphasize limitations in the clinical evidence base. [12]

Ipamorelin Dosage Chart: Quick Breakdown

The protocol structure below is presented as an informational reference only (not a clinical guideline).

Commonly described research-cycle structure in body composition–oriented research summaries (informational reference only).
Timeline Exposure window Washout
Example cycle 8–12 weeks [12]
Often discussed as split daily exposures due to short half-life. [2]		 4–8 weeks washout (commonly discussed in research summaries) [12]
Example split dosing 100 mcg per injection, 2–3 times daily (research-summary example) [12]

What Is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is described as a synthetic pentapeptide (five amino acids) in the GHS class. [1] It is commonly discussed as mimicking aspects of ghrelin signaling and binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a), with reported increases in GH and IGF-1 in experimental settings. [2]

Mechanistic notes discussed in research summaries

  • Binding to GHSR-1a has been used to explain GH secretagogue activity. [2,6,11]
  • Some summaries describe an interaction with somatostatin (a GH-inhibiting hormone) as part of the broader endocrine context for GH regulation. [4]
  • Mechanistic explanations can vary by model and study design; interpret within the limits of each experiment.

Reported Research Benefits / Uses

Published work and research summaries discuss ipamorelin across multiple experimental domains. The items below are research findings or hypotheses and are not clinical claims.

Bone and skeletal models

  • Longitudinal bone growth outcomes reported in rat models. [4]
  • Bone mineral content changes reported in adult female rats (GHS comparisons). [5]
  • Counteracting glucocorticoid-associated decreases in bone formation reported in rats. [7]

Body composition / GH-axis discussion

  • Research summaries discuss lean mass and body composition hypotheses via GH pathways. [10,15]
  • Broader ghrelin receptor literature provides context for appetite and metabolic regulation. [6,11]

Gastrointestinal recovery (published clinical context)

  • A prospective randomized, controlled proof-of-concept study evaluated ipamorelin for postoperative ileus management in bowel resection patients. [13]
  • Reviews of constipation-associated disorders discuss ghrelin receptor agonists (including related agents) as future directions. [8]

Many topics above are derived from animal studies and/or limited human data; translational relevance depends on model quality and endpoints. [12]

Safety / Side Effects

Research summaries frequently describe ipamorelin as generally well-tolerated in available studies, while emphasizing that long-term effects are not well characterized due to limited duration human research. [12]

Side effects discussed in research summaries

Commonly described (mild, dose-dependent)

  • Temporary injection-site redness/itching/sensitivity
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Weight changes discussed in the context of body composition

Summary descriptions emphasize dose dependence. [12]

Less common (reported as more severe)

  • Water retention
  • Tingling/numbness in hands/feet
  • Insulin resistance
  • Hypertension

These are presented as summary-level reports and should be interpreted cautiously. [12]

Experimental protocols should be designed with appropriate oversight, endpoints, and exclusion criteria suited to the research population.

Dosage Calculator and Guide (Research Context)

Research summaries note that there is no universally “approved” ipamorelin dosing standard for general use, and recommend consulting the relevant published literature when designing controlled experiments. [12,13]

Dosing form and route (as discussed in summaries)

  • Often supplied as a lyophilized powder requiring reconstitution prior to use in laboratory handling workflows. [12]
  • Some clinical studies used intravenous administration; research summaries often discuss subcutaneous exposure as a practical experimental route. [12,13]
  • Short half-life (~2 hours) is cited as a reason split daily exposures are sometimes discussed. [2]

Published dosing example (clinical trial context)

In a postoperative ileus proof-of-concept study, ipamorelin was administered twice daily at 0.03 mg/kg (IV infusion on postoperative days 1–7), and was described as well-tolerated with no serious adverse events in that short-duration protocol. [13]

Sample protocol structure (research-summary example)

  • Daily total: 200–300 mcg/day (summary-level example)
  • Frequency: split into 2–3 daily injections (~100 mcg each)
  • Duration: 8–12 weeks
  • Cycle note: washout commonly discussed as 4–8 weeks before repeating

These values are presented as informational references, not clinical guidance. [12]

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (Research Discussion)

Research discussions sometimes explore combining a GHRH analogue (e.g., CJC-1295 / long-acting GHRH analogues) with a GHS such as ipamorelin, based on the idea of GH stimulation through divergent receptor pathways. [14,15]

GHRH-analogue context

Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-1 secretion has been reported with long-acting GHRH analogues in healthy adults (study context varies by compound). [14]

Secretagogue waveform discussion

Secretagogues have been studied for effects on GH secretory-burst waveform and mass in controlled physiology research. [15]

Combination approaches remain a research topic; protocol design should be anchored to primary literature, endpoints, and ethics oversight.

Handling / Reconstitution (Laboratory Context)

Research summaries often note common laboratory materials used when handling peptides (e.g., bacteriostatic water, sterile vials, alcohol swabs), and emphasize the importance of appropriate handling practices. [12]

Materials (Example)

  • Sterile diluent (per lab protocol)
  • Sterile syringes/needles (as required)
  • Alcohol prep pads
  • Labeling materials (date, concentration, lot)
  • Refrigerated storage (if required by protocol)

Process Overview

  1. Calculate target concentration and total volume.
  2. Add diluent gently along vial wall; minimize foaming.
  3. Avoid shaking; allow time for dissolution.
  4. Mix gently per protocol; label and store appropriately.

Always follow your lab’s aseptic technique, storage, and disposal requirements.

Conclusion

The published literature and reviews describe ipamorelin as a selective GHS investigated across endocrine physiology and multiple experimental models, with animal data and limited human trial contexts. [1,2,6,13,15]

Because standardized clinical dosing guidance for general use is not established, ipamorelin should be approached as a research topic only and confined to controlled laboratory or regulated clinical research contexts where applicable.

References

  1. Raun K, Hansen B, Johansen N, et al. (1998). Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. European Journal of Endocrinology. 139(5):552–561.
  2. Gobburu JVS, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. (1999). Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Ipamorelin, a Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide, in Human Volunteers. Pharmaceutical Research. 16(9):1412–1416.
  3. Estrada RC, Jiménez-Reina L, de la Torre MJ, Bernal J. (2002). Chronic in vivo ipamorelin treatment stimulates body weight gain and growth hormone (GH) release in vitro in young female rats. European Journal of Anatomy. 6(1):37–46.
  4. Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, et al. (1999). Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 9(2):106–113.
  5. Svensson J, Lall S, Dickson SL. (2000). The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats. Journal of Endocrinology. 165(3):569–577.
  6. Howick K, Griffin BT, Cryan JF, Schellekens H. (2017). From Belly to Brain: Targeting the Ghrelin Receptor in Appetite and Food Intake Regulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18(2):273.
  7. Anderson NB, Malmlof K, Johansen PB, et al. (2001). The growth hormone secretagogue ipamorelin counteracts glucocorticoid-induced decrease in bone formation of adult rats. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 11(5):266–272.
  8. Mosinska P, Zatorski H, Storr M, Fichna J. (2017). Future treatment of constipation-associated disorders: Role of relamorelin and other ghrelin receptor agonists. Journal of Neurogastroenterol and Motility. 23(2):171–179.
  9. Merriam GR, Barsness S, Buchner D, et al. (2004). Growth hormone releasing hormone treatment normal aging. Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine. 4(4):331–343.
  10. Isidro ML, Cordido F. (2006). Growth hormone secretagogues. Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening. 9(3):175–180.
  11. Moulin A, Ryan J, Martinez J, Fehrentz JA. (2007). Recent developments in ghrelin receptor ligands. ChemMedChem. 2(9):1242–1259.
  12. Aagaard NK, Grofte T, Griesen J, et al. (2009). Growth hormone and growth hormone secretagogue effects on nitrogen balance and urea synthesis in steroid treated rats. Growth Hormone & IGF Research. 19(5):426–431.
  13. Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD. (2014). Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 29:1527–1534.
  14. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. (2006). Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 91(3):799–805.
  15. Veldhuis JD, Keenan DM. (2008). Secretagogues govern GH secretory-burst waveform and mass in healthy eugonadal and short-term hypogonadal men. European Journal of Endocrinology. 159(5):547–554.

Educational content for research discussion only. Not medical advice.