Head to head
Ipamorelin against GHRP-2
Two ghrelin receptor agonists usually chosen on side effect profile rather than on potency. GHRP-2 is approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent, which means it has been through a regulator for a single acute use, not for the repeated dosing it is sold for.
Column A
IpamorelinIpamorelin Acetate
A selective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.
Column B
GHRP-2Pralmorelin (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2)
A second-generation GH secretagogue approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent, producing strong GH release with less appetite effect than GHRP-6.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | Ipamorelin | GHRP-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone | Growth Hormone |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved (approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent) |
| Half-life | ~2 hours | ~30-60 minutes |
| Molecular weight | 711.85 Da | 817.0 Da |
| Mechanism | Agonizes the ghrelin/GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) on the pituitary, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone secretion. | Agonizes the ghrelin/GH secretagogue receptor to stimulate a strong pulse of growth hormone from the pituitary. |
| Human studies cited | 1 | 2 |
| Legal status, US | Not approved; research use only | Not approved; research use only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ipamorelin and GHRP-2?
Ipamorelin: A selective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin. GHRP-2: A second-generation GH secretagogue approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent, producing strong GH release with less appetite effect than GHRP-6.
Which has stronger research evidence, Ipamorelin or GHRP-2?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 1 of the 3 studies cited on the Ipamorelin profile were human work, against 2 of 3 for GHRP-2. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are Ipamorelin and GHRP-2 FDA-approved?
Ipamorelin: Not FDA-approved. GHRP-2: Not FDA-approved (approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent).
Related posts
Blog articles that cover Ipamorelin or GHRP-2, newest first.
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.