Ipamorelin reconstitution calculator

Enter your vial amount and target dose. DrawDose returns the BAC water volume, syringe units, and a vial label you can copy.

What ipamorelin is and why selectivity matters

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide developed by Novo Nordisk in the late 1990s. Per the foundational paper by Raun et al. published in the European Journal of Endocrinology in 1998, ipamorelin was characterized as "the first GHRP-receptor agonist with a selectivity for GH release similar to that displayed by GHRH" — meaning it releases growth hormone without the side effects of earlier-generation growth hormone-releasing peptides.

The mechanism is selective agonism at the GHS-R1a receptor (the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotroph cells. Activation triggers pulsatile growth hormone release that mimics the body's natural GH secretion pattern. Per the Raun et al. characterization data, ipamorelin does not significantly elevate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) even at doses more than 200-fold above the GH-releasing ED50. This selectivity is what distinguishes ipamorelin from earlier-generation GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin) which produce broader hormonal effects.

This selectivity matters in practice. GHRP-6 stimulates appetite via ghrelin receptor activation as a side effect; GHRP-2 raises cortisol and prolactin alongside GH; both effects are absent or minimal with ipamorelin. For users targeting GH elevation specifically without collateral hormonal disruption, ipamorelin has become the default choice in community protocols and clinician-published guides.

Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved. It has been evaluated in clinical trials for specific indications (postoperative ileus, growth hormone deficiency assessment) but is not currently a marketed drug in the United States. Per the FDA's published bulk drug substance nomination process, ipamorelin has been considered for compounding access; the regulatory status continues to evolve through 2026.

Quick answer for the most common vial sizes

The 5 mL : 5 mg ratio documented across compounding pharmacy formulation guides for ipamorelin produces a 1 mg/mL concentration, where every 100 units delivers 1 mg.

The math holds at any concentration. DrawDose accepts any vial size and any BAC water volume and returns the correct syringe draw for the dose entered.

The 1 mg/mL ratio is the standard for ipamorelin because it puts the typical 100-300 mcg per-injection dose at 10-30 units — easy to draw, easy to verify visually. For sub-100 mcg doses, a 0.3 mL (30-unit) insulin syringe gives much better visual precision than a 1 mL syringe.

How to reconstitute lyophilized ipamorelin

The procedure follows the standard sterile-injection prep workflow documented in compounding pharmacy formulation guides and peptide stability literature.

Bring the vial and BAC water to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before mixing. Cold liquid hitting cold powder slows dissolution and increases the chance of clumping. Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol swab and let them dry. Draw the BAC water into a 1 mL syringe.

Insert the needle into the ipamorelin vial at an angle so the water runs down the inside wall, not directly onto the powder pellet. Direct impingement on lyophilized peptide generates foam and can affect peptide structure. Once the water is in, swirl the vial gently for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not shake. Ipamorelin dissolves clearly when properly reconstituted; cloudiness or particulate that does not clear within a minute indicates a sourcing concern.

Why concentration determines syringe units

The relationship between vial size, BAC water, and syringe draw is fixed by concentration math. A 5 mg vial with 5 mL of water gives 1 mg/mL — every 100 units delivers 1 mg, so a 200 mcg dose draws as 20 units. The same 5 mg vial with 2 mL of water gives 2.5 mg/mL, where 100 units delivers 2.5 mg. To hit the same 200 mcg target dose, the draw at 2.5 mg/mL is only 8 units.

Standard reconstitution practice keeps the draw between 10 and 100 units on a 1 mL insulin syringe. Ipamorelin's typical 100-300 mcg per-injection dose at 1 mg/mL produces draws in the 10-30 unit range, which is at the low end of the precision band. For sub-100 mcg doses, a 0.3 mL (30-unit) insulin syringe is the better tool. DrawDose computes this automatically; the auto-selected BAC water volume on the result panel is tuned to keep the draw in a measurable band.

Documented dosing protocols

The most rigorous human dosing data comes from the Beck et al. 2014 Phase 2 randomized controlled trial published in International Journal of Colorectal Disease. The trial evaluated ipamorelin for postoperative ileus management in 87 bowel resection patients, administered intravenously at 0.03, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg twice daily for up to 7 days. The trial demonstrated acceptable tolerability and signal of efficacy in promoting return of bowel function.

Per pharmacokinetic data referenced in the Raun et al. 1998 paper and the Gobburu et al. 1999 follow-up, ipamorelin's plasma half-life is approximately 2 hours after subcutaneous administration. Peak GH release occurs approximately 40 minutes after injection in animal models. The short half-life and pulsatile GH release pattern explain why community protocols use multiple daily injections rather than once-daily dosing.

Community protocol surveys aggregated from r/Peptides, r/PeptideHowTo, and clinician-published peptide guides describe ipamorelin dosing as follows.

The standard dose is 100 to 300 mcg per injection administered subcutaneously on an empty stomach, 1 to 3 times daily. The most common pattern is 200 mcg pre-bed (to align with natural nocturnal GH surge), with optional second and third doses upon waking and pre-workout for users running aggressive GH-elevation protocols.

Ipamorelin is almost universally combined with a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog such as Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC) or sermorelin. The two-peptide combination produces synergistic GH release through dual pathway activation: ipamorelin via the ghrelin receptor, the GHRH analog via the GHRH receptor. Co-administration is documented across clinical-practice guides and is the canonical protocol pattern.

Cycle length in community practice runs 8 to 16 weeks followed by a 4 to 8 week off period. The mechanistic rationale for cycling is to preserve receptor sensitivity, though the published data on receptor downregulation under chronic ipamorelin administration is limited. The Jiménez-Reina et al. 2002 in vitro study examined chronic ipamorelin treatment on somatotroph response and provides the closest published reference for cycling rationale, though the conclusions are model-dependent.

Stacking with CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29

The canonical ipamorelin stack is a co-injection with a GHRH analog. Per community protocol surveys and clinical-practice guides, two pairings dominate.

The first pairing is ipamorelin plus Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC). Both peptides have similar half-lives (approximately 30 minutes for Mod GRF 1-29, approximately 2 hours for ipamorelin) and both produce pulsatile rather than sustained GH release. Co-injection 1 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach produces a synergistic GH pulse. Standard dosing: 100 mcg Mod GRF 1-29 plus 200 mcg ipamorelin per injection.

The second pairing is ipamorelin plus CJC-1295 with DAC. The with-DAC variant has a 6-8 day half-life and produces sustained GHRH receptor activation rather than pulses. Combined with ipamorelin's pulsatile ghrelin receptor activation, the protocol generates a pattern of sustained baseline GH elevation with pulses on top. Standard dosing: 100 mcg CJC-1295 with DAC plus 200 mcg ipamorelin once daily before bed; the with-DAC component is sometimes dosed weekly instead.

Both peptides are chemically compatible in bacteriostatic water solution at clinical concentrations. Many practitioners reconstitute both peptides separately and draw them into a single syringe just before injection. Some compounding pharmacies offer pre-mixed combination vials; the dosing math for combination vials follows the same principles, with the calculator handling the math for whichever peptide's dose is being targeted.

GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are alternative GHRPs sometimes substituted for ipamorelin in older protocols. Per the comparative data referenced in Raun et al. 1998 and the broader GHRP literature, GHRP-2 produces a larger GH pulse but also raises cortisol and prolactin; GHRP-6 increases appetite via ghrelin receptor activation. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol, no prolactin, minimal appetite effect) is why it has displaced both as the contemporary default.

Adverse reactions and safety profile

Per the Beck et al. 2014 Phase 2 trial data, ipamorelin at intravenous doses up to 0.3 mg/kg twice daily was well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse events were headache, injection site reactions, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms with incidence comparable to placebo. No serious adverse events attributable to study drug were reported in the 87-patient trial.

Community protocol surveys describe the most common subjective effects as a brief facial flushing or "head rush" within minutes of injection (reported by some users, absent in others), occasional headache, and vivid dreams during chronic use. Mild fluid retention and tingling in the extremities are documented at higher doses, consistent with elevated GH/IGF-1 levels.

Theoretical safety concerns documented in the broader GH/IGF-1 literature apply to all growth hormone secretagogues. Elevated IGF-1 has been associated with tumor growth in cancers that express IGF-1 receptors; users with active or recent malignancy are universally contraindicated in clinical-practice guidelines. GH elevation has counter-regulatory effects on insulin; users with diabetes or insulin resistance require monitoring. Pregnancy, untreated thyroid disorders, and known pituitary tumors are documented contraindications across clinical-practice references.

Long-term human safety data does not exist. The longest published clinical trial duration for ipamorelin specifically is the 7-day Beck et al. 2014 trial. Animal studies of chronic dosing extend to several months without documented receptor downregulation, but human chronic-use data is limited to community survey reports.

WADA prohibited status

Ipamorelin is on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List under category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics). Per WADA's framework, ipamorelin is banned at all times — in and out of competition — for athletes subject to anti-doping testing.

Detection methods for synthetic GHRPs have improved since 2020. The detection window for ipamorelin in urine is approximately 24 to 72 hours after a single dose, but the accumulated metabolite profile from chronic use can extend detectability. Athletes who have used ipamorelin within recent weeks should expect detection if tested.

Common reconstitution errors

Compounded peptide forums and pharmacy QA literature document a recurring set of errors specific to ipamorelin.

Drawing too small a volume on too large a syringe. A 100 mcg dose at 1 mg/mL is 10 units on a 1 mL insulin syringe. Some users default to 1 mL syringes regardless of draw volume; for sub-200 mcg doses, a 0.3 mL (30-unit) insulin syringe gives much better visual precision.

Eating before injection. Per growth hormone physiology research cited across clinical-practice guides, elevated insulin from food intake suppresses GH release. Injecting ipamorelin within 2 to 3 hours of a meal reduces the peptide's GH-releasing effect significantly. Standard practice is fasted-state injection, often pre-bed (3+ hours after dinner) or upon waking before breakfast.

Confusing ipamorelin dosing with GHRP-2 or GHRP-6 dosing. The three GHRPs have different potency profiles; doses are not interchangeable. Ipamorelin's typical 200 mcg dose is roughly equivalent in GH-releasing effect to 100 mcg of GHRP-2 or GHRP-6, but the side effect profile differs substantially. Verify the peptide name on the COA before applying any community protocol.

Reusing reconstituted vials beyond 2 to 4 weeks. Per peptide stability literature, reconstituted ipamorelin remains stable for approximately 2 to 4 weeks at 2 to 8°C with bacteriostatic water containing benzyl alcohol preservative.

Storage and shelf life

Per peptide stability literature, reconstituted ipamorelin stays stable for 2 to 4 weeks at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F) when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Sterile water without preservative produces a 24-hour shelf life from first puncture.

Lyophilized ipamorelin stores for 24 months or longer at -20°C and 12 months or longer at 2 to 8°C, per the same stability literature. Heat exposure during shipping is the most documented threat to potency.

What to verify on a Certificate of Analysis

The COA reports the actual peptide content of a specific lot. Net peptide weight is the measured milligrams of peptide in the vial, separate from any excipients (mannitol, sodium chloride) included for stability. Purity by HPLC reflects the percentage of UV-absorbing material that is the target peptide; 95% is the research-grade minimum the peptide industry has converged on, and 98% is the standard most reputable vendors publish for ipamorelin.

Mass spec confirmation matches the expected molecular weight (711.85 Da for ipamorelin) and verifies the peptide's identity against substitution with related GHRPs. Mass spec is particularly important for ipamorelin because GHRP-2 (MW 817.96) and GHRP-6 (MW 872.5) are visually similar lyophilized white powders but have different molecular weights and very different pharmacological profiles.

Documented combinations

The most documented combination is ipamorelin plus a GHRH analog (Mod GRF 1-29 or CJC-1295 with DAC), covered in detail in the "Stacking with CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29" section above.

Ipamorelin plus tesamorelin (an FDA-approved GHRH analog) is documented in some clinical-practice protocols where insurance coverage of tesamorelin makes it accessible. The dosing pattern mirrors the CJC-1295 stack.

Ipamorelin plus MK-677 (ibutamoren, an oral ghrelin receptor agonist) is not documented as a stable practice. Both compounds activate the same GHS-R1a receptor; co-administration produces receptor saturation rather than additive effect, alongside the side effect load of two compounds with the efficacy of one.

FAQ

What is the difference between ipamorelin and GHRP-2 or GHRP-6?

All three are synthetic ghrelin receptor agonists that release growth hormone. Per the Raun et al. 1998 characterization data, ipamorelin is highly selective for GH release with minimal effects on ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, FSH, LH, or TSH. GHRP-2 produces a larger GH pulse but also raises cortisol and prolactin; GHRP-6 increases appetite as a side effect. Ipamorelin's selectivity is why it has become the contemporary default GHRP.

Why does ipamorelin need to be combined with CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29?

The combination produces synergistic GH release via two distinct receptor pathways. Ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a); CJC-1295 and Mod GRF 1-29 activate the GHRH receptor. Co-activation produces a larger GH pulse than either peptide alone. Ipamorelin can be used alone, but the published preclinical data and community protocol surveys show meaningfully larger GH release with the combination.

What time of day should ipamorelin be injected?

Per clinical-practice guides and the underlying GH physiology, the standard timing is on an empty stomach, with pre-bed dosing aligned to natural nocturnal GH surge. Multi-dose protocols add upon-waking and pre-workout injections, all on an empty stomach. The 2 to 3 hour fasting window before and after injection is what enables peak GH release; eating within that window meaningfully reduces the effect.

Is ipamorelin banned by WADA?

Yes. Ipamorelin is on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List under category S2, banned at all times — in and out of competition — for athletes subject to anti-doping testing. Detection windows for synthetic GHRPs have improved since 2020.

How long does ipamorelin take to start working?

Subjective effects (improved sleep, recovery, body composition changes) are typically reported by users in community surveys after 4 to 8 weeks of consistent dosing. Acute GH release is rapid (peak at approximately 40 minutes per Raun et al. 1998 pharmacokinetic data) but the downstream effects on IGF-1 and tissue-level changes accumulate over weeks.

Can ipamorelin be used long-term?

Long-term human safety data does not exist beyond the 7-day Beck et al. 2014 trial duration. Community practice typically involves cycling 8 to 16 weeks on followed by 4 to 8 weeks off, with the rationale of preserving receptor sensitivity. The clinical evidence for receptor downregulation under chronic ipamorelin is limited; cycling is convention rather than firmly evidence-based.

Is ipamorelin safe to combine with insulin or GLP-1 agonists?

The combination has not been studied in published trials. Theoretical concerns: ipamorelin's GH-releasing effect produces transient insulin resistance, while insulin and GLP-1 agonists work in the opposite direction. Users on insulin or GLP-1 agonists who want to add ipamorelin should monitor blood glucose carefully; clinical-practice guidance is to coordinate with a prescribing provider.