Ipamorelin (5 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that acts as a selective growth hormone secretagogue by mimicking ghrelin at the GH secretagogue receptor[1][2]. Its key advantage is high specificity for GH release without triggering ACTH or cortisol elevation, making it one of the safer GH secretagogues with minimal off-target hormonal effects[1][3]. This educational protocol presents a once-daily subcutaneous approach using practical dilution for precise insulin-syringe measurements.
- Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~1.67 mg/mL concentration.
- Typical daily range: 100–250 mcg once daily (gradual titration recommended).
- Easy measuring: At 1.67 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 16.7 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
- Storage: Lyophilized: 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) or freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within ~4 weeks.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Educational guide for reconstitution and daily dosing
Standard / Gradual Approach (3.0 mL = ~1.67 mg/mL)
| Week | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 100 mcg | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 150 mcg | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Weeks 5–8 | 200 mcg | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 9–12 | 250 mcg | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously, ideally 30–60 minutes before bedtime on an empty stomach to synergize with natural nocturnal GH secretion[4][5]. For ≤10-unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30- or 50-unit insulin syringes for improved readability.
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake vigorously).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
Supplies Needed
Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol with gradual titration.
-
Peptide Vials (Ipamorelin, 5 mg each):
- 8 weeks ≈ 2 vials
- 12 weeks ≈ 4 vials
- 16 weeks ≈ 5 vials
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
- 16 weeks: 112 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use ~3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (2 vials): 6 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 12 weeks (4 vials): 12 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
- 16 weeks (5 vials): 15 mL → 2 × 10 mL bottles
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100-count boxes
- 16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100-count boxes
Protocol Overview
Concise summary of the once-daily regimen.
- Goal: Stimulate endogenous growth hormone release to support anabolic processes related to muscle growth, fat metabolism, and tissue repair[1][2].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks (extend to 16 weeks if desired), followed by a 2–4 week pause to resensitize receptors.
- Dose Range: 100–250 mcg daily with gradual titration; 200 mcg is a common middle-of-the-road dose.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 5 mg vial (~1.67 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements.
- Storage: Lyophilized refrigerated or frozen; reconstituted refrigerated; use within ~4 weeks.
Dosing Protocol
Suggested daily titration approach.
- Start: 100 mcg daily; increase by ~50 mcg every 1–2 weeks as tolerated.
- Target: 200–250 mcg daily by Weeks 5–12.
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous), ideally 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks, followed by 2–4 week off-cycle.
- Timing: Evening bedtime dosing preferred; rotate injection sites.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide quality.
- Lyophilized: Store at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) for short-term or −20 °C (−4 °F) for long-term storage in dry, dark conditions[10][11].
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within ~4 weeks with bacteriostatic water[12]. For longer storage, freeze aliquots at −20 °C (−4 °F) and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles[11].
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake[10].
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container[8].
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation[7][8].
- Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- Document daily dose and site rotation to maintain consistency.
- Ipamorelin has a short half-life (~1.5–2.5 hours)[4]; consistent daily timing maximizes effects.
How This Works
Ipamorelin binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates the pituitary gland to release endogenous growth hormone in a pulsatile manner[1][2]. Unlike earlier growth hormone releasing peptides, ipamorelin is highly selective and does not significantly stimulate ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin release at effective doses[1][3]. After subcutaneous injection, GH levels peak within approximately 40 minutes and return to baseline by 2–3 hours[4]. This short-acting pulsatile effect makes it suitable for once-daily administration to support physiological GH patterns. Animal studies have shown that even chronic daily exposure did not significantly desensitize GH release mechanisms[5], though cycling is recommended as a precautionary measure. Ipamorelin has also demonstrated pro-motility effects in the gastrointestinal tract via GHSR-1a receptors, with preclinical and clinical studies showing it can accelerate gastric emptying[6].
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Observations from preclinical and clinical literature.
- Supports increases in lean body mass and improvements in recovery through GH-mediated anabolic processes[1][2].
- Enhances fat metabolism and supports favorable body composition changes over time[1].
- High selectivity for GH release with minimal impact on other hormones (ACTH, cortisol, prolactin)[1][3].
- May support improved gastric motility and digestive function[6].
- Generally well tolerated with a low incidence of side effects at typical doses[3].
- Occasional mild injection-site reactions (redness, swelling) may occur; very rare reports of water retention or increased hunger.
Lifestyle Factors
Complementary strategies for best outcomes.
- Pair with a balanced, protein-adequate diet to support muscle synthesis and recovery.
- Combine resistance training and cardiovascular exercise to maximize anabolic and metabolic benefits.
- Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep nightly, as GH naturally peaks during deep sleep phases.
- Manage stress levels, as chronic stress and elevated cortisol can blunt GH response.
- Inject on an empty stomach (avoid food 2–3 hours before and 30–60 minutes after) to optimize GH release.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best-practice resources[7][8][9].
- Clean your hands and work on a clean surface.
- Swab the vial’s rubber stopper and injection site with alcohol; allow to dry.
- Draw the calculated dose into the insulin syringe, eliminating air bubbles.
- Suitable SC injection areas include the abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer thighs, upper outer arms, or flank/hip area[7].
- Pinch a fold of skin between thumb and forefinger; insert the needle at 45–90° into subcutaneous tissue[7][8].
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily[8].
- After injection, release the pinched skin and withdraw the needle at the same angle.
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton or alcohol pad; do not rub vigorously.
- Rotate sites systematically with each dose to prevent irritation or tissue damage[7][9].
- Immediately dispose of the used syringe in a proper sharps container[8].
Recommended Source
We recommend Pure Lab Peptides for high-purity Ipamorelin (5 mg).
Why Pure Lab Peptides?
- High-purity, third-party-tested lots with batch certificates of analysis (COAs).
- Consistent, quality-controlled manufacturing and documentation.
- Reliable fulfillment with proper cold-chain handling to maintain peptide integrity.
Important Note
This content is intended for therapeutic educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References
-
Translational Andrology and Urology (PMC)
— Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males (2020 review) -
European Journal of Endocrinology (PubMed)
— Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue (1998 preclinical pharmacology study) -
European Journal of Anatomy
— Chronic in vivo Ipamorelin treatment stimulates body weight gain and growth hormone (GH) release in vitro in young female rats (2002 animal study on chronic dosing) -
Pharmaceutical Research (PubMed)
— Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers (1999 Phase I clinical pharmacology study) -
European Journal of Anatomy
— Three-week chronic in vivo ipamorelin treatment: no desensitization of GH release mechanisms (2002 animal study) -
International Journal of Colorectal Disease (PubMed)
— Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients (2014 Phase II clinical trial) -
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
— How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection (patient educational resource) -
NCBI Bookshelf
— Best practices for injection: asepsis, preparation, and administration techniques -
Pharmacologic Considerations (PMC)
— Subcutaneous drug injection: review of pharmacologic considerations and site rotation practices -
NIBSC (National Institute for Biological Standards)
— Peptide Handling, Dissolution & Storage Guidelines (peptide storage recommendations) -
Bachem (Peptide Manufacturer)
— Handling and Storage Guidelines for Peptides (technical best-practices) -
Creative Peptides
— How Long Do Peptides Last? Peptide Stability & Shelf Life (technical article on peptide stability) -
Pure Lab Peptides
— Ipamorelin 5 mg product page (quality and batch documentation)