Ipamorelin
A selective growth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin-receptor agonist) that stimulates GH release; not an approved medicine.
What it is
Ipamorelin is a synthetic growth-hormone secretagogue — a selective ghrelin/GH-secretagogue-receptor agonist that stimulates GH release.S1
Marketed as
Ipamorelin is marketed as a "gentle" growth-hormone booster — for muscle, fat loss, recovery, and sleep — commonly paired with CJC-1295. These are marketing claims, not established effects.
Regulatory status (US)
Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved for any indication.S1 On FDA's compounding framework, ipamorelin acetate appears in both the active Category 2 table (503B) and among nominations that were withdrawn. It is not on the July 2026 PCAC agenda.S1
The dual listing likely reflects different nomination tracks or routes rather than a contradiction, but this should be confirmed against FDA's current listing before it is explained definitively. S1
Around the world
Ipamorelin is not an approved medicine in any country.S1 Globally it circulates as a research chemical or off-label compounded product rather than a licensed drug.S1S2
Evidence
Human therapeutic evidence is limited. Ipamorelin has been examined in early clinical contexts historically, but it is not an approved therapy; use is off-label/developmental.S1
Anti-doping
As a GH secretagogue, ipamorelin is prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).S2
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
No PCAC review of ipamorelin has been verified as scheduled; the near-term item is clarifying its dual Category 2 listing.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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