Ipamorelin
Molecular Research Profile ยท Target purity > 99.0% ยท Half-life ~2 hours
Highly selective ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. Releases growth hormone without the appetite stimulation, cortisol elevation, or prolactin spikes common with earlier GHRPs like GHRP-6.
Ipamorelin Molecular Formula, Structure & Chemical Identity
Reference identifiers researchers use to verify that a vial matches what a vendor claims to have shipped. Cross-check these values against any Certificate of Analysis before accepting a purity figure.
| Molecular Formula | C38H49N9O5 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 711.9 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 170851-70-4 |
| Amino Acid Count | 5 |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 |
| Also Known As | NNC 26-0161 |
| PubChem CID | 9831659 ↗ |
Identifiers verified against the NIH PubChem compound database. Molecular weights independently recalculated from the molecular formula using IUPAC 2021 standard atomic weights.
How to Read a Ipamorelin Certificate of Analysis
A COA is only meaningful if the identifiers on it match the compound you ordered. Four checks, in order.
- 1. Identity โ does the formula match?The COA header should state C38H49N9O5 and a molecular weight near 711.9 g/mol, with CAS 170851-70-4. A mismatch means you are not looking at a COA for this compound.
- 2. Purity โ HPLC chromatogram, not just a numberA printed “> 99.0%” with no chromatogram is a marketing claim. Demand the actual HPLC trace: a single dominant peak, labelled retention time, and an integration table. Shoulders or unlabelled side peaks are unreported impurities.
- 3. Mass confirmation โ does MS agree with the formula?Mass spectrometry should report an observed mass consistent with the expected 711.9 g/mol. Peptides are frequently reported as multiply charged ions, so the raw m/z value will be lower than the neutral mass. An unexplained offset is a red flag.
- 4. Provenance โ who signed it, and for which batch?A valid COA names the testing laboratory, carries a batch or lot number that matches your vial label, and is dated. A vendor-produced PDF with no lab identity and no batch number is not third-party evidence.
Full methodology in ourguide to the 5 COA red flags researchers miss, or verify the reconstitution math with thepeptide reconstitution calculator.
Mechanism of Action
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) ghrelin-mimetic with high selectivity for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a). Unlike first-generation GHRPs (GHRP-6, GHRP-2), ipamorelin has minimal off-target activity at the motilin receptor and no interaction with the H1 histamine receptor, resulting in a far cleaner pharmacological profile with virtually no appetite stimulation, gastric motility effects, or histaminergic side effects.
At the somatotroph level, ipamorelin activates GHS-R1a signaling via Gฮฑq/11 โ phospholipase C โ IP3-mediated calcium release, triggering exocytosis of pre-synthesized GH vesicles. It also antagonizes somatostatin tone at the pituitary level, effectively reducing the inhibitory brake on GH release. The GH pulse amplitude produced by ipamorelin is dose-dependent up to approximately 1 mcg/kg, above which additional dosing primarily extends pulse duration rather than peak amplitude.
Co-administered with CJC-1295 no DAC (GHRH analog), ipamorelin's effect is amplified 2โ5ร: the GHRH analog increases the GH "pool available for release" while ipamorelin triggers the release signal. This is the biochemical basis for the widely-used CJC/Ipamorelin combination protocol.
Research History & Context
Ipamorelin was developed in the late 1990s by Novo Nordisk as part of a broader GHS-R1a agonist program aimed at identifying growth hormone secretagogues with improved selectivity profiles over earlier compounds. The goal was to find a peptide that stimulated GH release without the side-effect burden of GHRP-6 (appetite, cortisol, prolactin) while maintaining efficacy.
Preclinical studies in rats and swine demonstrated dose-dependent GH release with a potency comparable to GHRP-6 but without measurable effects on ACTH/cortisol, prolactin, or food intake. Human Phase 1 data confirmed the selectivity profile. While ipamorelin was never commercialized as a therapeutic, it has become a standard research tool in growth hormone axis studies and one of the most widely studied GHS-R1a agonists in the independent biohacking research community.
Storage & Handling
Store lyophilized ipamorelin at -20ยฐC, protected from light and moisture. Stability exceeds 24 months under these conditions. The pentapeptide structure is moderately stable; the Aib (ฮฑ-aminoisobutyric acid) residue at position 1 provides resistance to aminopeptidase degradation.
Reconstituted ipamorelin should be stored at 2โ8ยฐC and used within 21 days. Do not freeze reconstituted solutions โ repeated freeze-thaw cycles reduce bioactivity. Ipamorelin is compatible with CJC-1295 no DAC in the same syringe for combined research protocols; no interaction or aggregation has been reported at standard concentrations.
Reconstitution & Research Dosing
For Ipamorelin, the standard laboratory reconstitution is 2.0 ml BAC water for 2mg / 5mg vial. A typical research study window uses 100 - 300 mcg / 1-3ร daily.
For a 2mg ipamorelin vial, add 2.0 ml BAC water (100 mcg per 0.1 ml / 10 IU). For a 5mg vial, add 2.5 ml BAC water (200 mcg per 0.1 ml). In the standard CJC/Ipamorelin research protocol, both peptides are often reconstituted at complementary concentrations and drawn into the same syringe immediately before administration.
Use the Reconstitution Calculator for exact syringe units →Audited Vendors Stocking Ipamorelin
Each review checks whether the testing lab is named and whether COAs can be verified at the issuing lab.
Related Ipamorelin Research
Ipamorelin FAQ
QWhat is the molecular formula of Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin has the molecular formula C38H49N9O5 and a molecular weight of approximately 711.9 g/mol. Its CAS registry number is 170851-70-4. It is a 5-residue peptide with the sequence Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.
QHow do you verify a Ipamorelin Certificate of Analysis?
Check four things in order. First, identity: the COA must state C38H49N9O5 and CAS 170851-70-4. Second, purity: require the actual HPLC chromatogram with retention time and integration table, not just a printed percentage. Third, mass confirmation: the mass spectrometry result must agree with the expected molecular weight of 711.9 g/mol, allowing for multiply charged ions. Fourth, provenance: the COA must name the testing laboratory and carry a batch number matching your vial label.
QWhat purity should Ipamorelin be?
Research-grade Ipamorelin should meet a purity target of > 99.0%, confirmed by third-party HPLC analysis rather than a vendor self-declaration. A purity claim without an accompanying chromatogram carries no evidential weight.
QWhat is the half-life of Ipamorelin?
The reported half-life of Ipamorelin is ~2 hours. Half-life figures come from published research models and vary with species, route and formulation, so treat them as a reference range rather than a fixed value.
QHow much bacteriostatic water do you add to Ipamorelin?
The standard reconstitution for Ipamorelin is 2.0 ml BAC water for 2mg / 5mg vial. For a 2mg ipamorelin vial, add 2.0 ml BAC water (100 mcg per 0.1 ml / 10 IU). For a 5mg vial, add 2.5 ml BAC water (200 mcg per 0.1 ml). In the standard CJC/Ipamorelin research protocol, both peptides are often reconstituted at complementary concentrations and drawn into the same syringe immediately before administration.
Explore Related Research Compounds
Research Use Only (RUO): Ipamorelin is discussed strictly as an in-vitro laboratory research compound. Nothing on this page constitutes human or clinical administration guidance. Always verify purity through independent third-party HPLC/MS analysis before use.