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Comparison

Anamorelin vs GHRP-2

Both are gHRPs & ghrelin mimetics, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.

Anamorelin GHRP-2
Class GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics
Evidence Clinical trials Clinical trials
Human trials ~18 ~12
Half-life ~7 hours ~30 minutes
Reported range 50-100 mg 100-300 mcg
Frequency Once daily 2-3x daily
Routes Oral Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intranasal
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport Yes Yes
Studied for Cancer cachexia, Appetite stimulation, Lean mass preservation GH secretory testing, Growth hormone elevation, Appetite stimulation
Reported side effects Hyperglycaemia, Nausea, Elevated hepatic enzymes, Headache Increased appetite, Elevated cortisol and prolactin, Water retention, Tiredness

Anamorelin

Anamorelin is a non-peptide small molecule agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor with oral bioavailability, which separates it from the injectable hexapeptides. In phase III cancer-cachexia trials it increased lean body mass and appetite, though it did not consistently improve handgrip strength, which is why its regulatory path diverged between Japan and the US and Europe. Its oral route and long half-life make it pharmacologically closer to MK-677 than to GHRP-2.

GHRP-2

GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It produces a larger GH pulse than ipamorelin at comparable doses, but with measurable increases in cortisol and prolactin, which is the trade-off that defines its position in the class. It is approved in Japan under the name pralmorelin as a diagnostic test of pituitary GH reserve.

Anamorelin vs GHRP-2: common questions

What is the difference between Anamorelin and GHRP-2?

Both are gHRPs & ghrelin mimetics. Anamorelin: An orally active ghrelin-receptor agonist approved in Japan for cancer cachexia, and the most clinically advanced compound in the class. GHRP-2: A potent ghrelin-receptor agonist approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent, with a stronger GH pulse than ipamorelin and more hormonal spillover.

Which has stronger evidence, Anamorelin or GHRP-2?

They sit at the same evidence level: clinical trials. Anamorelin has about 18 human studies and GHRP-2 about 12.

Are Anamorelin and GHRP-2 FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 9828911) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  4. CAS Registry Number 249921-19-5 ↗ · chemical identity
  5. PubChem compound record (CID 6918245) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  6. CAS Registry Number 158861-67-7 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Nishie K, Sato S, Hanaoka M. Anamorelin for cancer cachexia.Drugs Today (Barc) 2022.PubMed 35274629 · doi:10.1358/dot.2022.58.3.3381585
  2. Garcia JM. What is next after anamorelin?.Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2017.PubMed 28957883 · doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000299
  3. Rezaei S, de Oliveira LC, Ghanavati M, et al.. The effect of anamorelin (ONO-7643) on cachexia in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Oncol Pharm Pract 2023.PubMed 37525932 · doi:10.1177/10781552231189864
  4. Takayama K. [Overview of Cancer-Associated Cachexia].Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2019.PubMed 31879394
  5. Dev R, Amano K, Naito T, et al.. Anamorelin for the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome.Curr Oncol Rep 2024.PubMed 38771469 · doi:10.1007/s11912-024-01549-y
  6. Wakabayashi H, Arai H, Inui A. Anamorelin in Japanese patients with cancer cachexia: an update.Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2023.PubMed 37389636 · doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000658
  7. Crawford J. Clinical results in cachexia therapeutics.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2016.PubMed 26974316 · doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000274
  8. Zhang H, Garcia JM. Anamorelin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer-anorexia-cachexia in NSCLC.Expert Opin Pharmacother 2015.PubMed 25945893 · doi:10.1517/14656566.2015.1041500
  9. Ghigo E, Arvat E, Muccioli G, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptides.Eur J Endocrinol 1997.PubMed 9186261 · doi:10.1530/eje.0.1360445
  10. Fukuda I, Hizuka N, Muraoka T, et al.. Adult growth hormone deficiency: current concepts.Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2014.PubMed 25070016 · doi:10.2176/nmc.ra.2014-0088
  11. Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LN.Drugs R D 2004.PubMed 15230633 · doi:10.2165/00126839-200405040-00011
  12. Camanni F, Ghigo E, Arvat E. Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs.Front Neuroendocrinol 1998.PubMed 9465289 · doi:10.1006/frne.1997.0158
  13. Vodnik M, Štrukelj B, Lunder M. Ghrelin Receptor Ligands Reaching Clinical Trials: From Peptides to Peptidomimetics; from Agonists to Antagonists.Horm Metab Res 2016.PubMed 26551992 · doi:10.1055/s-0035-1564149
  14. Muccioli G, Broglio F, Valetto MR, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptides and the cardiovascular system.Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2000.PubMed 10790589
  15. Celichowska M, Miedziaszczyk M, Lacka K. Pharmacotherapy in Cachexia: A Review of Endocrine Abnormalities and Steroid Pharmacotherapy.J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother 2022.PubMed 35758863 · doi:10.1080/15360288.2022.2063469
  16. Argente J, García-Segura LM, Pozo J, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptides: clinical and basic aspects.Horm Res 1996.PubMed 8950613 · doi:10.1159/000185015

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.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.