The best growth hormone peptides, by how well they are documented
Every compound here raises growth hormone. The differences are in selectivity, duration, and whether anyone has studied it properly in people. Ranked on the last of those.
Quick answer
| # | Compound | Class | Evidence | Reported range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesamorelin | GHRH analogs | Regulator approved | 1-2 mg | Prescription |
| 2 | Sermorelin | GHRH analogs | Regulator approved | 200-500 mcg | Prescription |
| 3 | Macimorelin | GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics | Regulator approved | 500 mg | Prescription |
| 4 | MK-677Not a peptide | GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics | Clinical trials | 10-25 mg | Research only |
| 5 | Ipamorelin | GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics | Preliminary human | 200-300 mcg | Research only |
| 6 | CJC-1295 | GHRH analogs | Preliminary human | 100-300 mcg | Research only |
The ranking
Approved, with the deepest trial base of any secretagogue. Stabilised against DPP-4 and substantially longer acting than sermorelin. The reference compound in this class.
Previously FDA approved, now compounded. The shortest active GHRH fragment, with decades of clinical use. Short half-life preserves pulsatility.
The only oral ghrelin-receptor agonist with a current FDA approval, as a diagnostic test. Not used therapeutically, but it is the class member with the cleanest regulatory standing.
Oral, once daily, sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation with over twenty human studies. Not a peptide. The sustained exposure is the mechanism and also the source of its appetite and insulin-sensitivity problems.
Material for this compound is sold for laboratory research only. It is not manufactured, tested or labelled for human administration.
The most selective GHRP. No cortisol or prolactin rise, which is what makes it the preferred pairing with a GHRH analog. Human data limited.
Material for this compound is sold for laboratory research only. It is not manufactured, tested or labelled for human administration.
The non-DAC form. Protease-resistant GHRH analog, standard stacking partner for ipamorelin. Four small human studies. FDA Category 2.
What we left out, and why
- CJC-1295 with DAC
- Albumin-bound, days-long GH elevation that eliminates pulsatility. The pharmacological criticism is well founded.
- Hexarelin
- Most potent GHRP but with rapid tachyphylaxis and documented cardiac receptor activity. Not a first choice.
- GHRP-6
- Appetite stimulation is strong enough to be the primary effect. Belongs in a bulking context, not a GH list.
Head-to-head comparisons
References for the compounds in this guide
- Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
- Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.Am J Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41476424 · doi:10.1177/03635465251357593
- Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Obes Res Clin Pract 2026.PubMed 41545261 · doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2026.01.002
- Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41966639 · doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0
- Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.Drugs 2011.PubMed 21668043 · doi:10.2165/11202240-000000000-00000
- Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.Ann Pharmacother 2012.PubMed 22298602 · doi:10.1345/aph.1Q629
- Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives.Int J Mol Sci 2026.PubMed 42123471 · doi:10.3390/ijms27093890
- CROI 2024: Neuropsychiatric Complications in People With HIV.Top Antivir Med 2024.PubMed 39746672
- Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.Drug Test Anal 2021.PubMed 34665524 · doi:10.1002/dta.3183
- Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?.Clin Interv Aging 2006.PubMed 18046908 · doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.307
- The effects of high altitude on hypothalamic-pituitary secretory dynamics in men.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1995.PubMed 7641401 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.1995.tb01887.x
- A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2026.PubMed 41880199 · doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17773-1
- The impact of cranial irradiation on GH responsiveness to GHRH plus GH-releasing peptide-6.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002.PubMed 11994347 · doi:10.1210/jcem.87.5.8485
- Outcome of growth hormone therapy in children with growth hormone deficiency showing an inadequate response to growth hormone-releasing hormone.Endocrine 2001.PubMed 11572326 · doi:10.1385/ENDO:15:1:051
- New insights on diagnosis and treatment of AVP deficiency.Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024.PubMed 38087160 · doi:10.1007/s11154-023-09862-w
- Consensus and controversies about diagnosing GH deficiency: a Delphi survey by the GH research society.Pituitary 2025.PubMed 40335774 · doi:10.1007/s11102-025-01526-z
- Growth hormone deficiency in adults with Cushing's disease.Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021.PubMed 33272904 · doi:10.1016/j.beem.2020.101474
- The macimorelin-stimulated growth hormone test for adult growth hormone deficiency diagnosis.Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014.PubMed 24834478 · doi:10.1586/14737159.2014.915746
- Macimorelin as a Diagnostic Test for Adult GH Deficiency.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018.PubMed 29860473 · doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00665
- Current concepts of the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency.Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2021.PubMed 32959175 · doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09594-1
- Pilot clinical trial of macimorelin to assess safety and efficacy in patients with cancer cachexia.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2023.PubMed 36860137 · doi:10.1002/jcsm.13191
- Once upon a time: the glucagon stimulation test in diagnosing adult GH deficiency.J Endocrinol Invest 2024.PubMed 38461479 · doi:10.1007/s40618-024-02322-5
- Growth hormone-releasing peptides.Eur J Endocrinol 1997.PubMed 9186261 · doi:10.1530/eje.0.1360445
- MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue, reverses diet-induced catabolism.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998.PubMed 9467534 · doi:10.1210/jcem.83.2.4551
Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.