Growth Hormone Secretagogues
10 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- AnamorelinAnamorelin is an oral ghrelin‑receptor agonist approved in Japan for the treatment of cancer cachexia associated with non‑small‑cell lung, gastric, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. It is intended to counteract the weight loss, loss of lean body mass and reduced appetite that characterize cancer‑related anorexia‑cachexia syndrome.
- CJC-1295 with DACLong-acting GHRH analog with DAC modification for extended duration; not approved for human use; investigated for growth hormone deficiency and performance enhancement
- GHRP-6Synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates growth hormone secretion by mimicking ghrelin; not approved for clinical use
- Growth hormone-releasing peptide 1Growth hormone‑releasing peptide‑1 (GHRP‑1) is a synthetic heptapeptide belonging to the growth hormone secretagogue family. It stimulates the release of endogenous growth hormone (GH) in humans and several animal species, and has been investigated in short‑term studies in children, adolescents, and in vitro thyroid tissue. The peptide is investigational and is not approved for therapeutic use.
- IpamorelinIpamorelin is a synthetic peptide that acts as a growth‑hormone secretagogue (GHS) by stimulating the ghrelin receptor. It is investigated primarily as an adjunct for musculoskeletal repair, body‑composition modulation, and age‑related tissue decline, but it remains a research‑only compound without regulatory approval for clinical use.
- LenomorelinLenomorelin is an investigational synthetic analogue of the peptide hormone ghrelin that acts as a growth‑hormone secretagogue. Developed as a ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) agonist, it is being explored for its ability to stimulate endogenous hormone release, particularly growth hormone, via intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
- LivoletideLivoletide (also known as AZP‑531) is an investigational peptide belonging to the growth‑hormone secretagogue family. It is an acylated analogue of unacylated ghrelin designed for subcutaneous administration. The compound is being explored primarily for the treatment of hyperphagia and associated obesity in individuals with Prader‑Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by an insatiable appetite after early‑life feeding difficulties.
- PralmorelinPralmorelin, also called GHRP‑2, is a synthetic six‑amino‑acid peptide that acts as a growth‑hormone‑releasing secretagogue. Developed as an oral and injectable diagnostic agent, it stimulates endogenous GH release by mimicking the natural hormone ghrelin. Research has explored its use for diagnosing GH deficiency, promoting growth in animal models, and as a potential treatment for short stature, and for scientific investigation of the GH axis.
- RelamorelinRelamorelin is an investigational synthetic analogue of the hunger hormone ghrelin that activates the ghrelin (growth‑ hormone secretagogue) receptor. It is being evaluated primarily for gastroparesis, including diabetic gastroparesis, where delayed gastric emptying causes nausea, vomiting, bloating and early satiety. Early clinical studies suggest it can speed gastric emptying and relieve several core symptoms, positioning it as a potential new prokinetic therapy for these difficult‑to‑treat gastrointestinal motility disorders.
- TabimorelinTabimorelin (NN703) is an orally active growth‑hormone‑releasing peptide investigated as a potential treatment for absolute or relative growth‑hormone (GH) deficiency. In short‑term studies in healthy men it raised circulating GH and downstream IGF‑I levels, while animal work showed it stimulates appetite and fat accumulation via hypothalamic pathways.