Growth hormone axis peptides
Sport prohibition notice. WADA prohibits GHRH analogs and growth hormone secretagogues under section S2.2.4. Seven of the eight compounds in this category fall under that section. IGF-1 LR3 falls under S2, and its insulin cross-activity also relates to S4. Check the live WADA list before any decision that involves competition.
This category holds eight compounds that act on one axis through two different routes. GHRH analogs act on the pituitary receptor for growth hormone-releasing hormone. Growth hormone secretagogues act on the ghrelin receptor, GHS-R1a. IGF-1 LR3 sits downstream of both and acts at the IGF-1 receptor.
Only one holds an approval. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for one indication: a decrease of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. It is weight-neutral and the approval does not cover general weight loss. Sermorelin held an FDA approval as a diagnostic agent until 2008, and the withdrawal was commercial, not a safety finding. Japan approves GHRP-2 as a single-dose diagnostic. Nothing else in this category holds an approval anywhere.
What the human data actually cover. Most human work in this category measured hormone response, not outcome. CJC-1295 has Phase 1 pharmacokinetic data. Ipamorelin has human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 have neuroendocrine characterization. Hexarelin has a small cardiac study in men with coronary artery disease. None of these is a trial of body composition, recovery, or long-term safety.
Two identity problems to know. CJC-1295 exists as two pharmacologically different molecules, with DAC and without DAC. Their half-lives differ by orders of magnitude. Read which one a source used. Separately, IGF-1 LR3 has zero dedicated human trials, so every dosing and safety figure in circulation comes from a different molecule.
Evidence spread · 8 profiles
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing factor analog. The FDA approves it for one indication only.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a GHRH 1-29 analog. It held FDA approval as a diagnostic agent until 2008.
CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is a GHRH analog. Two different forms exist. Only Phase 1 human data support it.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue. Human pharmacokinetic data exist. No outcome trial exists.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 is a growth hormone secretagogue. Japan approves it as a single-dose diagnostic agent.
GHRP-6
GHRP-6 is the first growth hormone releasing peptide. It causes the strongest appetite effect in its class.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a growth hormone secretagogue with a second cardiac action. Development stopped in about 2005.
IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3 is a research reagent. No dedicated human trial exists. Low blood glucose is the main acute risk.