Research Use Only. Peptides Lab UK supplies research-grade materials for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or an instruction for human or animal use, and no product sold on this website is a medicine.
What is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue that acts as an agonist at the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). It is not an authorised medicine in the UK.
Published research
In its original pharmacological characterisation, ipamorelin was described as the first selective growth hormone secretagogue, releasing growth hormone in animal models without the marked ACTH or cortisol increases seen with some earlier secretagogues. Rat studies examined longitudinal bone growth, and a ferret study examined ghrelin-receptor agonists in a cisplatin-induced weight-loss model. Recent reviews note the scarcity of robust human trial data for unapproved peptides.[1,2,3,4]
Limitations of the evidence
Much of the available literature is preclinical (cell and animal models) or comes from small numbers of research groups. Findings in defined experimental systems cannot be extrapolated to other settings, and this page does not provide dosing, administration or human-use information.
Laboratory handling and storage
Lyophilised peptides are generally stored sealed, protected from light and moisture, at low temperature as specified on the certificate of analysis. Once reconstituted for in-vitro work, solutions are typically kept refrigerated and used within a validated stability window. Researchers should follow their institution’s procedures and the batch documentation (HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity) supplied with each lot.
UK regulatory status
In the UK, medicines are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Research-grade compounds sold by Peptides Lab UK are supplied strictly for laboratory research; they are not medicinal products, are not manufactured to medicinal GMP standards and must not be used in humans or animals.
Related research pages
- Ipamorelin UK Complete Research Guide 2026
- Ipamorelin and Sleep Quality Research
- AOD-9604 and Fat Metabolism Research
References
- Raun K et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998; 139(5):552-61. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1390552 PMID: 9849822.
- Johansen PB et al. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999; 9(2):106-13. doi:10.1054/ghir.1999.9998 PMID: 10373343.
- Lu Z et al. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism. Physiol Behav. 2024; 284:114644. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114644 PMID: 39043357.
- Mendias CL et al. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. Sports Med. 2026; 56(8):1921-1935. doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0 PMID: 41966639.
Disclaimer: All products sold by Peptides Lab UK are for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is an educational literature summary and is not medical advice.
