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Comparison

GHRP-2 vs Hexarelin

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

GHRP-2 Hexarelin
Class GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics
Evidence Clinical trials Clinical trials
Human trials ~12 ~14
Half-life ~30 minutes ~55 minutes
Reported range 100-300 mcg 100-200 mcg
Frequency 2-3x daily 1-2x daily, short cycles only
Routes Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intranasal Subcutaneous, Intramuscular
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport Yes Yes
Studied for GH secretory testing, Growth hormone elevation, Appetite stimulation Growth hormone elevation, Cardiac research, Short-cycle GH protocols
Reported side effects Increased appetite, Elevated cortisol and prolactin, Water retention, Tiredness Elevated cortisol and prolactin, Water retention, Rapid tolerance, Lethargy

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.

Hexarelin

Hexarelin is a methylated analog of GHRP-6 with higher potency at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It additionally binds CD36, a scavenger receptor expressed in cardiac tissue, which underlies the cardioprotective effects reported in ischaemia models and distinguishes it pharmacologically from the rest of the class. Its clinical limitation is rapid tachyphylaxis: GH response attenuates substantially within two to three weeks of continuous use.

GHRP-2 vs Hexarelin: common questions

What is the difference between GHRP-2 and Hexarelin?

Both are gHRPs & ghrelin mimetics. 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. Hexarelin: The most potent GH-releasing hexapeptide of the group, with documented cardiac effects and the fastest receptor desensitisation.

Which has stronger evidence, GHRP-2 or Hexarelin?

They sit at the same evidence level: clinical trials. GHRP-2 has about 12 human studies and Hexarelin about 14.

Are GHRP-2 and Hexarelin FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 6918245) ↗ · 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 158861-67-7 ↗ · chemical identity
  5. PubChem compound record (CID 6918297) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  6. CAS Registry Number 140703-51-1 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Ghigo E, Arvat E, Muccioli G, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptides.Eur J Endocrinol 1997.PubMed 9186261 · doi:10.1530/eje.0.1360445
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Camanni F, Ghigo E, Arvat E. Growth hormone-releasing peptides and their analogs.Front Neuroendocrinol 1998.PubMed 9465289 · doi:10.1006/frne.1997.0158
  5. 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
  6. Muccioli G, Broglio F, Valetto MR, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptides and the cardiovascular system.Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2000.PubMed 10790589
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Kolovou GD, Kolovou V, Mavrogeni S. We are ageing.Biomed Res Int 2014.PubMed 25045704 · doi:10.1155/2014/808307
  10. Scacchi M, Pincelli AI, Cavagnini F. Growth hormone in obesity.Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999.PubMed 10193871 · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0800807
  11. Maréchal L, Laviolette M, Rodrigue-Way A, et al.. The CD36-PPARγ Pathway in Metabolic Disorders.Int J Mol Sci 2018.PubMed 29883404 · doi:10.3390/ijms19051529
  12. Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW. The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues.Sex Med Rev 2018.PubMed 28400207 · doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.02.004
  13. Mosa RM, Zhang Z, Shao R, et al.. Implications of ghrelin and hexarelin in diabetes and diabetes-associated heart diseases.Endocrine 2015.PubMed 25645463 · doi:10.1007/s12020-015-0531-z

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.