Ipamorelin vs Somatropin (HGH)

Name: Ipamorelin vs Somatropin (HGH)
Published: 2026-10-24

Updated Oct 24, 20269 sources

Key differences

1Ipamorelin makes the pituitary release your own GH in pulses, capped by somatostatin feedback; injected HGH bypasses that and suppresses your own pulses.
2HGH has the larger effect; ipamorelin is unapproved but not covered by the hGH distribution statute.

Facts from each record, in the same words as their own pages.

Ipamorelin and Somatropin (HGH) side by side
	Ipamorelin	Somatropin (HGH)
Category	GH axis	GH axis
Evidence	Limited human data	Strong human trials
FDA status	Not FDA approvedRegulatory	FDA approved as Genotropin +7Regulatory
WADA	Prohibited	Prohibited
Half-life	About 2 hours after IV infusion in healthy men. Subcutaneous half-life has not been published.Clinical study	About 3 hours after a subcutaneous dose in adults with GH deficiency; 0.4 hours when given IV. The longer SC figure reflects slow absorption.Regulatory 3.8 hours after a subcutaneous dose in healthy adults (Humatrope).Regulatory 2.5 to 2.8 hours after a subcutaneous dose in healthy adults (Omnitrope).Regulatory
Routes	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
Forms	Not reported	Vial (powder), Prefilled pen
Reported doses	100 to 400 mcg (subcutaneous injection)	0.15 to 0.3 mg (subcutaneous injection) 0.004 to 0.1 mg/kg (subcutaneous injection) 1 to 8 IU (subcutaneous injection)
Most cited frequency	Once daily, before bed	Once daily; raise by about 0.1 to 0.2 mg/day every 1 to 2 months
Vial sizes	2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mgCompetitor guide	5.8 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 4 IU, 10 IU, 12 IURegulatory
Mixed vial keeps	Fridge, 2 to 8 °C.Competitor guide	Genotropin cartridge after mixing: fridge at 2 to 8 C for up to 28 days, protected from light.Regulatory
Protocols on file	10	10

Doses shown are what sources report, labelled by origin. Not medical advice.

9 sources, each checked by date. Record updated Oct 24, 2026. Numbers are restated in our own words and labelled by where they came from.