Does ipamorelin raise cortisol?
Not meaningfully — that selectivity is its defining feature versus GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in the original pharmacology work. It still raises GH and downstream IGF-1.
Human trial data
Ipamorelin Side Effects
Limited human trial data (phase 1/2 for postoperative ileus); not approved
Ipamorelin was taken into human trials for postoperative bowel recovery, where it was reported as well tolerated with an adverse-event profile similar to placebo over short courses. It is a selective GH secretagogue, so the expected effects are those of a GH pulse: transient water retention, tingling, and changes in glucose handling. Long-term data do not exist.
Research-use information only. Research-grade Ipamorelin is not an approved medicine; where trial or label figures appear below they belong to the pharmaceutical product studied, not to any research vial. This page does not give dosing or medical advice.
What is reported
Every rate carries its source. Where no source exists, no rate is printed.
| Effect | Rate (sourced) | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-course tolerability | not quantified | Adverse events comparable to placebo in the phase 2 ileus programme. | Beck et al. 2014 |
| GH-pulse effects (water retention, paraesthesia, headache) | not quantified | Class effects of GH secretagogues; not quantified for ipamorelin in long-term use. | Class pharmacology |
What is not known
- •Effects of long-term repeated dosing.
- •Research-grade identity and dose.
Mechanism-based cautions
- •GH/IGF-1 axis: theoretical malignancy caution; monitor glucose in anyone with insulin resistance.
- •Selective for GH over cortisol/prolactin compared with GHRP-2/6 — a real advantage in the class, not an absence of effects.
Regulatory status: Not approved anywhere; development for ileus discontinued.
References
- Beck DE, et al. Ipamorelin, a novel ghrelin mimetic, in postoperative ileus. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 2014.
What is actually in a research vial
Everything above describes Ipamorelin the molecule. The risk specific to a research vial is different: it may not contain Ipamorelin at the labelled amount, and it may contain what the synthesis left behind. Identity (mass spectrometry), purity (HPLC), measured net content and an endotoxin result are the four lines on a certificate that bear on adverse effects, and only a certificate you can check at the laboratory tells you any of them. This is what we have verified for Ipamorelin so far.
Who sells Ipamorelin, and what they document
16 of the 77 vendors on our scoreboard list Ipamorelin with a price we read on the product page (11 Sept 2026–2 Oct 2026). Of those, 11 name their testing laboratory, 9 publish certificates that resolve on the lab's own site, and 10 publish measured milligrams against the label. The full ranking, with every dated price, is on Best Ipamorelin Vendors.
| Vendor | Rubric | Lab named | Price read |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyPurePeptidepartner | 10/10 | Janoshik Analytical | $25.00 · 10mg · 30 Sept 2026 |
| Purgo Labspartner | 10/10 | SteriGenix · Freedom Diagnostics | $54.99 · 10mg · 2 Oct 2026 |
| Amino Clubpartner | 9/10 | ILS Labs | $49.99 · 10mg · 2 Oct 2026 |
| Mile High Compounds | 8/10 | Kovera Labs · Chromate | $59.99 · 10mg · 11 Sept 2026 |
| Northline Labs | 8/10 | Horizon Analytical (on certificates) | $74.99 · 10mg · 2 Oct 2026 |
Top 5 by rubric score; 11 more on the ranking page.
Ipamorelin certificates we have opened
None yet for Ipamorelin specifically. The COA library holds the certificates we have read for each vendor on other compounds, which is the next best signal of how that vendor documents a lot.