Peptide · Growth-hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist)
Ipamorelin
A growth-hormone secretagogue peptide. Developed pharmaceutically, never brought to market.
No human authorisationSold for research. No regulator has authorised it for people.
- Legal status · US
- No human authorisation
- Evidence in people
- Molecule
- 5 amino acids
- In sport
- Prohibited (WADA)
- Status checked
Regulatory status · United States
This describes the position in the United States. Rules in Switzerland differ; an approved peptide medicine there is in its national register.
No marketing authorisation anywhere. Ipamorelin acetate has been in the FDA’s 503A Category 2 since 29 September 2023, and was still listed there when the FDA updated that list in April 2026.
Prohibited at all times under WADA class S2 (growth-hormone secretagogues).
What changed, and when
Placed in 503A Category 2, citing immunogenicity and peptide-impurity risks.
Remains in Category 2 after the April update.
What to be careful about
Growth-hormone axis manipulation has systemic effects and is not a cosmetic intervention. Banned in competition.
Why there is no dosing information here
There is no authorised human dose to report. Any figure printed here would come from a vendor or a forum, and would look exactly like one taken from an approved label — which is the specific confusion that makes this category dangerous.
Sources
- FDA — bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2), page current as of 22 April 2026
- WADA Prohibited List
Regulatory positions change. This page states the date it describes, and nothing on it is legal or medical advice.