Ipamorelin dosage and protocol
Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026. Editorial policy
US regulatory status: FDA Category 2: significant safety risk
Ipamorelin is a selective 5th-generation GHRP that stimulates GH release without raising cortisol, prolactin, or appetite — making it the cleanest GHRP available. Ideal for anti-aging, fat loss, and muscle preservation. Best combined with CJC-1295 or MOD-GRF 1-29 for synergistic GH pulses. One of the most widely used peptides in wellness clinics.
- Vial size: 5 mg
- Reconstitution: 3 mL bacteriostatic water
- Concentration: 1.67 mg/mL
- Administration: subcutaneous
Research areas
- Growth Hormone
- Anti-Aging
- Improved Recovery
- Fat Loss
- Muscle Preservation
Quick start
- Reconstitute: Add 3.0mL bacteriostatic water → ~1.67mg/mL concentration
- Typical daily range: 100–250mcg once daily (gradual titration)
- Easy measuring: At 1.67mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01mL ≈ 16.7mcg on a U-100 syringe
- Storage: Lyophilized at 2–8°C or −20°C; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within ~4 weeks
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 100 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.06 mL (6 units) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 150 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.09 mL (9 units) |
| Weeks 5–8 | 200 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.12 mL (12 units) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 250 mcg | Once daily (SC) | 0.15 mL (15 units) |
How it works
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that activates the GHS-R1a (ghrelin) receptor in the pituitary to release growth hormone in pulses. What sets it apart is selectivity: in animal studies, doses that strongly released GH did not raise ACTH or cortisol to a meaningful degree, unlike GHRP-2, GHRP-6 or hexarelin, and early human pharmacology studies found a similarly clean profile. It also tends to cause less appetite stimulation than older GHRPs. Like other secretagogues, ipamorelin is often combined with a GHRH analog such as CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29, because the two pathways act together to produce a larger GH pulse. The resulting rise in GH increases IGF-1, which mediates effects on protein synthesis, fat metabolism and tissue repair. Human trials have been limited. Ipamorelin was tested in a phase 2 trial for postoperative ileus (slowed gut function after surgery), where it was well tolerated but did not show a meaningful benefit over placebo. There are no long-term trials of body composition, fat loss or aging outcomes, and it is not an approved medicine.
Units chart for a 5 mg vial
| Water added | Strength | 1 unit = | 100 mcg | 150 mcg | 200 mcg | 250 mcg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg | 2 units | 3 units | 4 units | 5 units |
| 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg | 4 units | 6 units | 8 units | 10 units |
| 3 mL | 1.67 mg/mL | 16.7 mcg | 6 units | 9 units | 12 units | 15 units |
Units on a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL).
Pages for each vial size and water volume
Reconstitution steps
- Draw 3.0mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake vigorously)
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8°C (35.6–46.4°F), protected from light
Storage
Evidence: Common practice. What vendors and users usually do. No published stability testing supports a specific number.
- Powder or unopened: Sealed powder: freezer (about −20 °C) for long-term storage, refrigerator for weeks. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Mixed or in use: Refrigerator, 2–8 °C. Do not freeze and thaw repeatedly.
- Use within: no tested number
- Light: Keep it in the box or another dark container.
Most reconstituted peptides are kept in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and used within about 28 days. That is a convention, not tested data: the 28 days comes from the USP <797> limit for opened multiple-dose containers, which is about sterility, not about whether the peptide stays intact.
Sources: Crestigen: Peptide storage and handling guide; USP General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations
Store lyophilized at 2–8°C or freeze at −20°C for long-term. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within ~4 weeks. For longer storage, freeze aliquots at −20°C; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Important notes
- Research use only
- Cleanest GHRP — does not raise cortisol, prolactin, or ghrelin (no hunger)
- Best stacked with CJC-1295 or MOD-GRF 1-29 for synergistic effect
- Mild side effects — well-tolerated with low desensitization risk
- Consider baseline GH levels for effectiveness
- Take before sleep or post-workout for optimal GH pulse
Supplies
- Bacteriostatic water
- Insulin syringes (U-100)
- Alcohol swabs
- Sharps container