Ipamorelin by Dragon Pharma

Dragon Pharma Original Formula

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin Peptide•5 mg vial
Class Selective GHRP
Half-Life ~2 hours
Receptor GHS-R1a (Ghrelin)
Suppression None (HPG)
Reconstitution Bacteriostatic Water
Form Subcutaneous Vial
Manufactured by Dragon Pharma Third-Party Tested
Availability: In Stock
$45.00
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Ipamorelin — Selective GH Secretagogue by Dragon Pharma

Ipamorelin is Dragon Pharma's formulation of the selective ghrelin receptor agonist Ipamorelin at 5mg per vial — the most selective growth hormone secretagogue available and a foundational peptide in any GH optimisation protocol. Its defining characteristic is the ability to produce a clean GH pulse without elevating cortisol, prolactin or ACTH — a selectivity profile unique among GHRPs.

Also searched as: Ipamorelin 5mg, GHRP Ipamorelin, selective GH peptide, Ipamorelin Dragon Pharma.

What Is Ipamorelin and Why Does Its Selectivity Matter?

Ipamorelin (NNC 26-0161) is a synthetic pentapeptide developed by Novo Nordisk in Denmark, first described in a landmark 1998 paper by Raun et al. in the European Journal of Endocrinology. Its name reflects its mechanism — "ipa" from isobutyric acid, a structural component — and its receptor target is GHS-R1a (the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, also known as the ghrelin receptor).

The 1998 Raun et al. study established Ipamorelin's critical advantage over other GHRPs: in rat studies, Ipamorelin produced significant GH release without elevating cortisol or ACTH even at doses more than 200× the ED50 for GH release. By contrast, GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 both elevate cortisol significantly — a relevant limitation during caloric deficits or cutting phases where elevated cortisol accelerates catabolism.

Ipamorelin vs Other GHRPs — The Selectivity Comparison

Compound GH Release Cortisol Effect Prolactin Effect Appetite Effect
Ipamorelin Significant pulsatile None — even at 200× ED50 None Minimal
GHRP-2 Strong Elevated — dose-dependent Elevated Moderate
GHRP-6 Moderate-strong Elevated Elevated Pronounced
Hexarelin Very strong Significantly elevated Elevated Moderate

This selectivity is why Ipamorelin is consistently described as the "cleanest" GHRP — every other GH secretagogue in the same class produces cortisol elevation as a side effect, while Ipamorelin does not. For users in caloric deficits, during cutting phases, or simply prioritising clean GH release without hormonal side effects, this distinction is clinically meaningful.

Effects and Benefits

  • Clean pulsatile GH release without cortisol, prolactin or ACTH elevation
  • Improved sleep quality — Ipamorelin amplifies the largest natural nocturnal GH pulse that occurs during slow-wave sleep
  • Body recomposition support through elevated GH and downstream IGF-1
  • Minimal appetite stimulation compared to GHRP-6, allowing use during caloric deficits without increased hunger
  • No suppression of natural testosterone — does not require Post Cycle Therapy

Dosage and Administration

Protocol Dose Timing
Once daily (most common) 200–300 mcg Before bed, 2+ hours after last meal
Twice daily 100–200 mcg each Pre-bed + upon waking (fasted)
Three times daily 100 mcg each Pre-bed, waking, post-workout

At 5mg per vial, dosing at 200mcg per injection provides 25 injections — approximately 25 days at once-daily dosing or 8-12 days at three-times-daily dosing. Pre-sleep dosing on an empty stomach is the most important injection of the day — insulin significantly blunts GH release, and the body's largest natural GH pulse occurs during slow-wave sleep.

Ipamorelin Standalone vs Blend Options

Dragon Pharma offers Ipamorelin both standalone and as part of combination blends:

Reconstitution and Storage

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water — add slowly along the vial wall and swirl gently. Store reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 28-30 days. Never freeze.

"Ipamorelin's selectivity is what separates it from every other GHRP in our range — it's the only ghrelin receptor agonist that consistently produces clean GH release without the cortisol elevation that limits others."

Stacking and Related Compounds

  • CJC-1295 DAC — weekly GHRH background with daily Ipamorelin pulses layered on top
  • Tesamorelin — combining Ipamorelin's selective GH pulse with Tesamorelin's visceral fat data
  • Dragontropin (HGH) — for users adding exogenous GH alongside secretagogue amplification
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The 1998 Raun et al. study demonstrated that Ipamorelin produced GH release without elevating cortisol or ACTH even at doses more than 200× the ED50 — a selectivity profile no other GHRP matches. GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and Hexarelin all elevate cortisol dose-dependently, which limits their utility during cutting phases where cortisol-driven catabolism is a concern.

The body's largest natural GH pulse occurs during slow-wave sleep. Ipamorelin amplifies this existing pulse rather than creating a new one — pre-sleep dosing on an empty stomach synchronises with this natural peak for maximum GH output. Insulin significantly suppresses GH release, which is why the 2-hour fasting window before dosing matters.

GHRP-6 produces pronounced appetite stimulation through its ghrelin receptor activity — useful for bulking but counterproductive for cutting. Ipamorelin has minimal appetite effects despite acting on the same receptor family, making it more versatile across protocols regardless of caloric goals.

Sleep quality improvements are often the first noticed effect, typically within the first 1-2 weeks. Body composition changes require more time — meaningful recomposition effects generally become apparent after 8-12 weeks of consistent use.

Combining both CJC versions would be redundant — they act on the same GHRH receptor, so using both provides no additional benefit over using one GHRH compound. Ipamorelin is paired with one GHRH at a time — either no DAC (pulsatile, daily dosing) or DAC (sustained, weekly dosing), depending on the protocol.

The evidence on long-term continuous Ipamorelin use is limited but many users run extended protocols (6-12+ months) without significant desensitisation, particularly at once-daily dosing. Some users take periodic breaks to prevent potential receptor downregulation, though this is precautionary rather than established necessity.

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