Ipamorelin vs. HGH | A Comprehensive Comparison

Looking for a detailed comparison of ipamorelin vs. hGH in research settings?

This detailed guide will break down what researchers should know about each compound, including their potential benefits for:

• Serum growth hormone/IGF-1 levels
• Muscle growth
• Bone mass

In addition, we will also provide guidance on the mechanisms, side effects, and dosing of hGH and ipamorelin. Plus, qualified researchers can discover where to buy research-grade ipamorelin for their experiments.

---

What is HGH?

Synthetic human growth hormone (hGH), also known as somatropin, is a 191-amino acid protein that is indistinguishable from endogenous growth hormone (somatotropin) [1, 2].

It is made using recombinant DNA technology to produce the identical GH sequence in laboratory conditions. This is why the exogenous form of the hormone is also called recombinant hGH (rhGH) [3].

Recombinant hGH was first developed by the American biotechnology corporation Genentech in 1981 to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD) [4].

Individuals with GHD do not produce sufficient amounts of GH, which leads to growth failure in children and metabolic issues in adults. The administration of rhGH in such patients is also known as hGH therapy, which was first approved for human use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985 [4].

Currently, there are a total of ten FDA-approved indications for hGH therapy [5]:

• Growth hormone deficiency in children and adults (GHD)
• Growth failure due to chronic renal insufficiency
• Muscle wasting due to AIDS
• Noonan syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Short bowel syndrome (SBS)
• Short stature homeobox (SHOX)-containing gene deficiency
• Small-for-gestational-age infants
• Turner syndrome

Recombinant hGH therapy can effectively and dose-dependently increase serum GH levels, hence its use in managing the symptoms of GHD in children and adults.

The medication has a half-life of about 3.4 hours and is administered as a once-daily injection before bedtime to mimic physiological GH release [6].

In the United States, hGH is legal only as a prescription medication and is not available over the counter. Recombinant hGH therapy must be monitored closely by a medical doctor, and the dosage titrated by an experienced specialist to achieve optimal serum GH levels without increasing the risk of side effects.

---

---

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin (NNC 26-0161) is a lab-made pentapeptide that stimulates the body's ghrelin receptors. Also known as the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptors, ghrelin receptors are found in the pituitary gland and their activation promotes GH synthesis.

Ipamorelin was created and patented by Novo Nordisk and Helsinn Therapeutics in 1994, and designed to emulate ghrelin's role in the gastrointestinal tract to enhance peristalsis [7].

In addition, the peptide was designed to selectively stimulate GH production in the anterior pituitary without affecting the production of other hormones, such as prolactin and ACTH, which are commonly triggered by other, less selective GHSs [8].

This held promise for patients with intestinal paralysis following surgical intervention in the gastrointestinal tract, a condition called post-surgical ileus. Phase-2 trials did report some benefits of ipamorelin in the condition, but the results were not deemed clinically significant within 7-10 days of therapy, leading to discontinuation of trials [9, 10].

Researchers have found ipamorelin to significantly elevate GH levels within 40 minutes of subcutaneous administration [11]. With a half-life under 2 hours, its GH-boosting effect persists for 2-3 hours following injection.

Ipamorelin remains accessible for research, with studies exploring its potential to support gastrointestinal function, augment bone mass, and promote lean mass growth.

---

HGH vs. Ipamorelin | Comprehensive Comparison

Both hGH and ipamorelin have been shown to reliably increase hGH levels in study volunteers with functional pituitary glands.

This effect can be assessed either directly by measuring the amount of serum GH following ipamorelin administration, or indirectly by measuring the amount of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) following hGH therapy. IGF-1 is the main anabolic mediator of growth hormone.

Here are some of the most notable hGH effects, as reported by scientific studies:

• Recombinant hGH has been reported to upregulate the production of IGF-1 in GHD patients receiving daily physiological doses (2IU/m2 of body surface) of the medication. After four months of therapy, IGF-1 levels rose from the lower limit of the reference range (98mcg/l) to its upper limit (323mcg/l) [12].
• In a study on patients with HIV-associated muscle wasting, supraphysiological doses of hGH (0.1mg/kg of body weight) were reported to cause a significant increase in lean mass (+6.6lb) within three months of therapy. However, the therapy at this dosage also led to a high incidence of side effects such as joint pain (50% of patients) and swelling in the limbs (37% of patients) [13].

Ipamorelin works by stimulating endogenous GH synthesis. Therefore, the peptide can upregulate GH levels only in subjects with functional pituitary glands. In these subjects, ipamorelin may even be capable of causing supraphysiological GH levels at high doses and may be safer than hGH at stimulating weight gain.

• A study in healthy volunteers reported that a single injection of ipamorelin, at a dose of 100mcg/kg of body weight, led to dramatically increased GH levels that reached up to 80mIU/l (about 26.6ng/ml). The researchers also reported similar GH peaks at lower doses (60mcg/kg) [11].
• Preclinical studies report that ipamorelin can increase weight gain in test animals by increasing GH levels and appetite. In a study in healthy mice, the peptide led to a 16.9% increase in body weight, compared to 27.5% for hGH therapy. Yet, it's important to note that hGH therapy was also associated with organomegaly. On the other hand, most weight gain in the ipamorelin group occurred within the first two weeks, and the peptide did not cause organomegaly [14].

---

Benefits of HGH

Studies investigating the effects of hGH on the human body have reported numerous benefits, especially in GHD patients, where the therapy can help manage symptoms like low energy, muscle wasting, and abdominal obesity.

Studies in GHD patients receiving hGH therapy report [15]:

• Improved quality of life
• 2-5% increase in lean muscle mass
• 7-10% lower fat mass and a -1.2inch mean decrease in waist circumference
• 11-16% lower LDL (bad) cholesterol

Yet, the benefits of hGH therapy in otherwise healthy individuals appear to be more modest. For example, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate rhGH in healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects.

The researchers included 31 randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) that administered hGH for 2-52 weeks to participants without GHD aged 50 or older. Here are the most notable benefits reported by the publication [16]:

• Reduced Fat Mass: Participants who were treated with GH experienced a decrease in their overall fat mass by approximately 4.6lb. Male study volunteers lost more fat than their female counterparts.
• Increased Lean Body Mass: The mean increase in the lean body mass of the participants across different studies was about 4.7lb. Female participants gained less lean body mass than males.
• Improved Cholesterol: Overall, the study authors noted a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels. The improvement was related to the impact of rhGH therapy on body fat.

Recombinant hGH therapy did not affect bone mineral density, LDL levels, or triglycerides.

---

Benefits of Ipamorelin

Clinical studies in ipamorelin are extremely scarce, and those published are too short-term in nature to report any significant benefits related to ipamorelin’s ability to increase GH, such as muscle gain or lean mass improvement.

On the other hand, several preclinical trials have investigated the peptide’s effect on muscle mass, appetite, body weight, bone mass, and more:

• Increased Appetite, Muscle, and Body Weight: Laboratory studies have pointed out that ipamorelin may contribute to weight gain, associated with increases in both lean and fat mass. This weight gain effect is related to the increase in GH levels but may also be linked to the appetite-stimulating impact of ghrelin receptor activation [14].
• Increasing Bone Mass: Research in female rats has indicated that ipamorelin administration can increase bone mineral content, suggesting the development of stronger and denser bones [17]. Another murine study reported that ipamorelin reduced bone loss by increasing mineralization in test animals exposed to corticosteroids, compared to controls [18].
• Boosting Muscle Strength: The study also noted that co-administration of ipamorelin and corticosteroids led to the preservation of muscle strength, compared to test animals treated with corticosteroids and placebo. The authors observed that ipamorelin may have minimized the catabolic effect of corticosteroids on muscle tissue [18].

---

HGH Side Effects

Recombinant hGH is approved as safe and effective for numerous indications in both children and adults based on extensive clinical trials, which show great tolerance and a low risk of side effects at recommended doses.

For example, a meta-analysis of 31 randomized, controlled trials reports that the most common side effects observed in the hGH studies and their respective incidences were [16]:

• Soft tissue edema: 50%
• Insulin resistance: 22%
• Arthralgias: 21%
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: 19%

These side effects are transient and usually subside as the patient gets used to the therapy. For example, one study reports that insulin sensitivity returns to normal within the first three months of administration [19].

Soft tissue edema, arthralgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all related to the transient water retention that occurs during hGH therapy and can be avoided by gradually increasing the dosage, lowering the dose if needed, or discontinuing the treatment altogether.

Recombinant hGH therapy is contraindicated in patients with untreated diabetes, a history of cancer, increased intracranial pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, edema, sleep apnea, and pancreatitis.

---

Ipamorelin Side Effects

Available clinical trials on ipamorelin do not report any side effects other than nausea and other mild gastrointestinal issues.

Yet, it is important to consider that the highest quality trial lasted only one week and was conducted in patients recovering from abdominal surgery [9].

Laboratory animal studies report that ipamorelin can cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, which may include fat gain [20].

In addition, peptide therapy in general may lead to side effects related to the route of administration, which, in the case of ipamorelin, is subcutaneous injection. Common side effects of subcutaneous injections are local and include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Bleeding
• Induration
• Numbness

Due to its potential to increase GH secretion, ipamorelin is contraindicated in those with oncological conditions. The peptide’s proliferative effect may speed up disease progression in these patients.

---

HGH vs. Ipamorelin | Dosage Calculator and Comparison

Below, we describe commonly used dosing protocols for hGH and ipamorelin based on the latest clinical data.

Reference hGH Dosing Protocol

GHD patients beginning rhGH typically start at a dosage of 0.2-0.3mg (0.6-0.9IU) daily. According to the Endocrine Society’s clinical practice guidelines, this dosage can be gradually increased by 0.1-0.2 mg every 4-8 weeks [21].

According to scientific data, long-term therapy often results in effective symptom management, with doses ranging from 0.4 to 0.8mg daily (1.2 to 2.4IU daily) [22].

In short-term trials, particularly those involving HIV patients experiencing muscle wasting, the hormone has been administered in doses up to 0.1mg per kg of body weight for up to three months. For a person weighing 175lb, this equates to a daily dose of 8mg (24IU/day) [13].

Here is a sample hGH dosing protocol based on data from trials for muscle building and lean mass increase:

• Daily Dose: 0.1mg/kg of body weight.
• Frequency: Administer subcutaneously once daily, at night, to mimic physiological hCG production.
• Study Duration: up to 12 weeks.
• Notes: Rotate injection sites after each injection.

Reference Ipamorelin Dosing Protocol

Clinical trials lasting up to one week have administered ipamorelin to patients at twice-daily doses of approximately 0.03mg per kilogram of body weight. This would equal 2.4mg per infusion or a total of 4.8mg/daily [9].

Yet, these doses would likely be insufficient to impact body composition in such a short period. Therefore, the majority of anecdotal evidence suggests using much lower doses for longer cycles of up to 8-12 weeks. Indeed, clinical trials have reported significant spikes in GH even after a single injection of 10mcg/kg ipamorelin [11].

The following suggested ipamorelin dosing guide is based on anecdotal reports and will be updated when enough study data become available:

• Total Daily Dose: 200-300mcg.
• Frequency: 2-3 times daily, with 100mcg for each subcutaneous injection.
• Study Duration: 8-12 weeks.
• Notes: Rotate injection sites with each administration.

---

---

Where to Buy Research Peptides Online? | 2024 Edition

Researchers interested in studying ipamorelin should prioritize sourcing the peptide from a trusted supplier that is dedicated to quality and customer care.

In our experience, the following two companies stand out as global leaders in the peptide space, and are recognized for their third party-verified research compounds, including ipamorelin.

Here they are:

Limitless Life

Limitless Life is a Florida-based distributor of ipamorelin, ipamorelin blends, and a host of other GH secretagogues.

Here's why this vendor is held in such high regard by our team and world-renowned scientists:

• Third-Party Lab Testing: Limitless Life makes use of third-party lab testing to ensure that their peptides meet expected levels of purity and potency.
• Fairly Priced Ipamorelin: The per-vial cost of Limitless Life’s ipamorelin 5mg option is currently just $49.99, while the vendor also offers an ipamorelin 10mg/CJC-1295 10mg combo pack for just under $157.
• Payment Option Variety: There are many payment options available to the customer at checkout, including credit cards, Cash App, and cryptocurrencies.
• Researcher-First Approach: Their support team is extremely responsive and virtually always available through multiple channels.

But that’s not all! Limitless Life is now extending a 10% discount to new clients who enter this code when checking out:

peptidesorg10

---

Xcel Peptides

Xcel Peptides is another fantastic peptide company that we love for its customer-first policies and variety of payment options at checkout.

Here’s why they are head and shoulders above other vendors in the industry:

• Guaranteed Purity: Xcel Peptides offers ipamorelin and other peptides that are produced in American laboratories to strict quality standards. Further, all products undergo rigorous third-party testing.
• Affordability and Promotions: Xcel Peptides provides ipamorelin at competitive rates, with a 10mg vial retailing for just $75. Check their website for the most current pricing and discounts.
• Secure Shopping: Xcel Peptides employs SSL technology to ensure secure and confidential online transactions. Customer data is always safe with this vendor.

Be sure to also sign up for Xcel Peptides’ email newsletter to receive a 10% discount when shopping on their site!

---

Bacteriostatic Water and Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin for research comes as a freeze-dried powder that needs to be reconstituted before use. To do this, researchers will need a proper solvent like bacteriostatic water and other essentials such as alcohol pads and syringes.

We recommend selecting a trusted supplier for peptide reconstitution to save the hassle of collecting materials from multiple vendors.

Here’s our top pick.

This retailer offers high-quality materials for in-depth studies. Depending on the needed quantity, researchers can choose between a variety of supplies and options.

---

Ipamorelin vs. HGH | Overall

Both ipamorelin and hGH appear to possess significant potential for increasing anabolic processes in the human body, and may result in increased muscle mass and improved body composition.

hGH may also contribute to body fat reduction, while ipamorelin has been reported to stimulate bone mineralization in test animals.

Data from preclinical research suggest that ipamorelin may lead to lean mass increase without the risk of organomegaly observed with hGH. Yet, researchers must note that ipamorelin is yet to be studied in long-term clinical trials.

Qualified professionals interested in acquiring research-grade ipamorelin can legally obtain it from our go-to source.

---