Ipamorelin: the cited literature

How to read this list

Each entry below carries a number used inline across the site (for example, ^[1] is the founding selectivity paper). The list runs from the primary pharmacology through the human data, the preclinical findings, the anti-doping analyses, and the recent reviews. Where a digital object identifier (DOI) or PubMed ID exists, it is given so any claim can be traced to source.

Primary pharmacology and human data

^[1] Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552-561. PMID 9849822.

^[2] Gobburu JV, Agerso H, Jusko WJ, Ynddal L. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999;16(9):1412-1416. PMID 10496658.

^[3] Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD; Ipamorelin 201 Study Group. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014;29(12):1527-1534. PMID 25331030.

Preclinical findings

^[4] Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, et al. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999;9(2):106-113. PMID 10373343.

^[5] Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, et al. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets. Physiol Behav. 2024;284:114644. PMID 39043357.

^[6] Stokes AH, Falls JG, Yoon L, et al. Integrated approach to early detection of cardiovascular toxicity induced by a ghrelin receptor agonist. Int J Toxicol. 2015;34(2):151-161. PMID 25722321.

Class context and anti-doping analyses

^[7] Camilleri M, et al. Actions and therapeutic pathways of ghrelin for gastrointestinal disorders. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;6:343-352. PMID 19434096.

^[8] Zatorski H, et al. Relamorelin and other ghrelin receptor agonists — future options for gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia and proton pump inhibitors-resistant non-erosive reflux disease. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017;68:797-805. PMID 29550791.

^[9] Krug O, et al. Analysis of new growth promoting black market products. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2018;41:1-6. PMID 29864719.

^[10] Gajda PM, et al. Glycine-modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material. Drug Test Anal. 2019;11:350-354. PMID 30136411.

^[11] Coutinho LFD, et al. 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. PMID 41880199.

Recent reviews (2026)

^[12] Mavrych V, et al. Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging. Front Aging. 2026. PMID 42021992.

^[13] Mendias CL, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. Sports Med. 2026. PMID 41966639.

^[14] Renke G, et al. Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID 42123471.

^[15] Villegas Meza AD, et al. Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications. JBJS Rev. 2026. PMID 42160466.