GHRP-6
A GH secretagogue (GHS-R1a agonist) that is not FDA-approved, sits in FDA Category 2 (503B), and is prohibited in sport under WADA S2.
What it is
GHRP-6 is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide — a synthetic growth-hormone secretagogue that acts on the ghrelin/GH-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate GH release.S1
Marketed as
GHRP-6 is promoted for muscle gain, fat loss, and recovery, often alongside a GHRH analog. These are marketing claims, not established effects.S1
Regulatory status (US)
GHRP-6 is not FDA-approved for any indication.S1 On FDA's compounding framework it appears in the active Category 2 table (503B) — a designation reflecting FDA-identified risk during review, not an approval.S1
Around the world
GHRP-6 is not an approved medicine; it circulates internationally as a research chemical / research-use-only material rather than a licensed drug.S1S2
Evidence
Human therapeutic evidence is limited; GHRP-6 has been studied mainly in early or preclinical GH-axis contexts and is not an approved therapy.S1 Its marketed body-composition uses are not supported by an approved-label evidence base.S1
Anti-doping
As a GH secretagogue, GHRP-6 is prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).S2S3
Safety
FDA's general Category 2 concerns apply: possible immunogenicity for some routes, impurity / characterization complexity, and limited human safety data.S1
What's changing
The item to track is whether GHRP-6's Category 2 status shifts after FDA's compounding decisions.S1
Sources
Every reference below is a primary source cited in this entry, drawn from the approved corpus.
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01
FDA — Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding (Category 2)fda.gov · Federal regulatory listing
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02
WADA — The Prohibited List (current International Standard)wada-ama.org · Anti-doping standard
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03
WADA S2 — Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics (list reference)drugs.com · Anti-doping list reference
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