Ipamorelin (10 mg)

At a Glance

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide GHS-R1a agonist that binds the ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs to trigger pulsatile GH release without raising cortisol or prolactin at research doses.[1] Sequence: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂. CAS 170851-70-4. MW 711.85.[2]

• Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 5.00 mg/mL concentration.
• Standard dose: 200–300 mcg subcutaneous, 1–3× daily. Pre-sleep injection is most common.
• Easy measuring: At 5.00 mg/mL on a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 50 mcg. A 300 mcg dose = 6 units / 0.06 mL; 200 mcg = 4 units / 0.04 mL.
• Storage: Lyophilised: refrigerate at 2–8 °C (freeze at −20 °C for long-term); reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C; use within 4 weeks.

Overview

• Goal: Stimulate pulsatile GH release from the pituitary with minimal cortisol or prolactin co-stimulation.[1]
• Schedule: 1–3 subcutaneous injections daily, on an empty stomach. Pre-sleep timing is preferred in most research protocols.
• Dose range: 200–300 mcg per injection.
• Reconstitution: 2.0 mL BAC water per 10 mg vial → 5.00 mg/mL.
• Injection site: Abdomen, thigh, or upper arm; rotate daily.

What You'll Need

Plan based on a representative 8-week cycle at 200 mcg twice daily (112 injections, 22.4 mg total).

• Ipamorelin Vials (10 mg each): 22.4 mg needed ÷ 10 mg per vial → 3 vials (30 mg covers the cycle with buffer).
• Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL): 112 injections → 112 syringes.
• Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): 2.0 mL per vial → 1 × 10 mL bottle covers 5 vials.
• Alcohol Swabs: 2 per injection → 224 swabs per 8-week cycle.

How to Reconstitute

1. Allow the refrigerated lyophilised vial to reach room temperature (10–15 minutes).
2. Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
3. Inject slowly down the inner vial wall; do not spray directly onto the powder.
4. Gently swirl or roll until dissolved. Do not shake. Solution should be clear and colourless.
5. Label with reconstitution date; refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Use within 4 weeks.

Dosing Schedule

Administer on an empty stomach; eating within 1–2 hours before injection raises insulin, which suppresses GH secretion. A pre-sleep injection aligns with natural nocturnal GH pulsatility. At 200 mcg twice daily, one 10 mg vial provides 25 days; at 300 mcg once daily, 33 days.[1]

Protocol Details

• Week 1 (titration): 100 mcg (2 units / 0.02 mL) once daily in the evening, for tolerance assessment.
• Weeks 2+ (standard): 200 mcg (4 units / 0.04 mL) once or twice daily.
• Upper range: 300 mcg (6 units / 0.06 mL) up to three times daily, used in some higher-frequency research protocols.[1]
• Cycle length: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Rest periods allow GHS-R1a receptor sensitivity to recover.

Storage

• Lyophilised: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35–46 °F); freeze at −20 °C for storage beyond 3 months. Protect from light.
• Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles. Use within 4 weeks.
• Appearance: Clear, colourless solution. Discard if cloudy, coloured, or particulate.

How Ipamorelin Works

Ipamorelin binds GHS-R1a (the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotroph cells. Receptor activation couples to Gαq, triggering phospholipase C → IP₃ → intracellular calcium release, which drives GH secretion in discrete pulses that match the body's natural secretory pattern.[1]

The selectivity profile is ipamorelin's key pharmacological feature. GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 also bind GHS-R1a but engage receptors on the adrenal cortex and pituitary lactotrophs, raising cortisol and prolactin alongside GH. Ipamorelin's GHS-R1a selectivity means the ACTH/cortisol and PRL axes stay quiet at research doses.[1] The downstream effect is elevated IGF-1 and the anabolic, lipolytic, and recovery-associated signals driven by endogenous GH pulses.

Sequence: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂. Formula: C₃₈H₄₉N₉O₅. CAS 170851-70-4. MW 711.85.[2]

Good to Know

• Administer on an empty stomach; insulin from a recent meal blunts GH secretion.
• Pre-sleep timing takes advantage of the natural nocturnal GH surge; many protocols use this as the primary or sole injection of the day.
• Multiple daily injections (2–3×) sustain more frequent GH pulses, common in research protocols targeting accelerated recovery or fat mobilisation.
• IGF-1 levels may rise over a cycle; long-term elevation warrants monitoring in individual research contexts.
• WADA status: GHS-R1a agonists are S2-class non-approved peptides. Athletes under anti-doping programmes must not use ipamorelin.
• For background on ipamorelin's mechanism, evidence, and research applications, see What Is Ipamorelin?.

Tips for Best Results

• Inject on an empty stomach, at least 1–2 hours after the last meal.
• Pre-sleep injection captures the nocturnal GH window; a morning injection (fasted, on waking) adds a second pulse.
• Pair with adequate protein (1.2–1.6 g/kg) and sleep (7–9 hours) to translate elevated GH/IGF-1 into tissue recovery.
• Avoid eating for at least 30–60 minutes post-injection to preserve the GH pulse.
• Track injection sites and rotate daily. Ipamorelin is typically well-tolerated subcutaneously, but rotation remains good practice.

Injection Tips

• Clean the vial stopper and injection site with separate alcohol swabs; allow both to air-dry fully before proceeding.
• Using a 29–31 gauge insulin syringe (5/16″ to 1/2″ needle), draw the calculated dose precisely.
• Pinch a fold of skin and insert the needle at 45° into subcutaneous fat (90° is acceptable with a short needle into a well-pinched fold).
• Inject slowly over 2–3 seconds; do not aspirate. Withdraw the needle, apply gentle pressure, and do not rub the site.
• Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) and dispose of each syringe in a sharps container immediately after use.[3]