Ipamorelin: clinical evidence record
Also known as: NNC 26-0161
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
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AI-friendly summary · Ipamorelin
Originally developed by Novo Nordisk for short bowel syndrome and post-operative ileus indications. Phase 2 safety and pharmacology data exist. No marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction. Most contemporary literature is preclinical animal work.
Mechanism of action
How Ipamorelin works
Synthetic pentapeptide ghrelin mimetic acting at the GHSR-1a (growth hormone secretagogue receptor). Stimulates pulsatile endogenous GH release from the anterior pituitary without significant cortisol, prolactin or aldosterone effects in published preclinical work.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on Ipamorelin. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al.. European journal of endocrinology, 1998.
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Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers
Gobburu JV, Agerso H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmaceutical research, 1999.
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Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients
Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD. International journal of colorectal disease, 2014.
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Effect on body weight and safety of RC-1291, a novel, orally available ghrelin mimetic and growth hormone secretagogue: results of a phase I, randomized, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers
Garcia JM, Polvino WJ. The oncologist, 2007.
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The GH secretagogues ipamorelin and GH-releasing peptide-6 increase bone mineral content in adult female rats
Svensson J, Lall S, Dickson SL, et al.. The Journal of endocrinology, 2000.
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Modulation of pulsatile GH release through a novel receptor in hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Smith RG, Pong SS, Hickey G, et al.. Recent progress in hormone research, 1996.
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A receptor in pituitary and hypothalamus that functions in growth hormone release
Howard AD, Feighner SD, Cully DF, et al.. Science (New York, N.Y.), 1996.
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Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications
Villegas Meza AD, Nocek M, Mitchell BC, et al.. JBJS reviews, 2026.
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Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives
Renke G, Chinellato L. International journal of molecular sciences, 2026.
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Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging
Mavrych V, Shypilova I, Bolgova O. Frontiers in aging, 2026.
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Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance
Mendias CL, Awan TM. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026.
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A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review
Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2026.
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Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews, 2026.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=ipamorelin.
Registered clinical trials
As of 2026-07-13, Ipamorelin has 2 interventional trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov and the ISRCTN registry. Registration means a study is planned, running or completed. It is not evidence of efficacy, and a listing is not an endorsement.
| Study | Phase | Status | Location | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin Compared to Placebo for the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function NCT01280344 | Phase 2 | Completed | United States | ClinicalTrials.gov |
| Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin for Management of Post-Operative Ileus NCT00672074 | Phase 2 | Completed | United States | ClinicalTrials.gov |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov and the ISRCTN registry, refreshed 2026-07-13. See the peptide clinical-trials tracker for the full picture across compounds.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where Ipamorelin sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: WADA Prohibited List S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors), prohibited at all times.
Full regulatory record: Ipamorelin UK regulatory status.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about Ipamorelin
Known concerns
- The published work on Ipamorelin is preclinical. Findings in rodent or in vitro models do not establish that the same thing happens in people, and the step from an animal model to a human outcome is where most candidate compounds fail.
- 2 registered interventional trials exist for Ipamorelin, none currently recruiting. Registered trials can be completed, suspended or terminated without ever publishing.
- Ipamorelin holds no UK marketing authorisation, so nothing you can buy has been assessed by a regulator, released by batch, or dispensed by an accountable pharmacy. Purity, dose accuracy and sterility rest entirely on the seller's own documentation.
- Ipamorelin appears on the WADA Prohibited List. For anyone subject to testing under UK Anti-Doping or an international federation, use is a violation, and detection windows for peptide metabolites extend well beyond the period of use.
Open questions in the literature
- Human pharmacokinetics for Ipamorelin have not been formally characterised, so how much reaches circulation, for how long, and what the body does with it are open questions.
- Interactions between Ipamorelin and prescribed medicines are not systematically studied, which matters most for anyone already on treatment for a long-term condition.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors). The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Encyclopedia entry
Ipamorelin: what it is, animal evidence, regulatory framing
Editorial commentary on Ipamorelin, including the literature base and UK availability framing.
UK regulatory record
Ipamorelin: UK regulatory status
MoDA, PSA, MHRA, WADA and ASA positions for Ipamorelin in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for Ipamorelin?
What is the UK regulatory status of Ipamorelin?
Has Ipamorelin been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for Ipamorelin?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.