GHRP-2
Grade C: Preliminary or limited human evidence
Key Takeaways
- Grade C: Preliminary or limited human evidence
- Not FDA approved: Not FDA-approved in the United States; approved in Japan solely as a diagnostic agent for GH deficiency testing.
- Compounding: The FDA placed GHRP-2 in Category 2 of its interim 503A/503B bulk-substances policy, the list of substances it has identified as presenting potential significant safety risks, so it is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding.
Mechanism
GHRP-2 stimulates GH release by binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) in the pituitary and hypothalamus, with secondary effects on cortisol and prolactin secretion.
Evidence
GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide GH secretagogue with a more extensive regulatory history than most peptides in this category, having received approval in Japan as a diagnostic agent for GH deficiency testing. However, that approval covers a single diagnostic use under controlled clinical conditions and does not establish therapeutic efficacy. In the United States, no FDA approval for any indication exists. Published human research includes physiological crossover studies demonstrating appetite stimulation and GH release, but no therapeutic efficacy RCT with a positive outcome has been conducted in a US or EU regulatory context. The evidence supporting therapeutic use in humans is limited to small, non-randomized studies.
Safety and risks
Limited or no long-term human safety data exists for GHRP-2 used therapeutically. In human physiological studies, GHRP-2 directly increased food intake, a finding that is clinically relevant and often omitted from promotional summaries. The compound also elevates cortisol and prolactin as part of its GH-secretagogue mechanism, which distinguishes it from more selective secretagogues and raises additional endocrine safety considerations. IGF-1 elevation accompanies GH stimulation and carries the same theoretical concerns noted for other secretagogues. GHRP-2 is currently Category 3 on the FDA 503A interim bulks list, meaning traditional compounding pharmacies may not legally prepare it for patients. Users should treat GHRP-2 as having limited human safety data outside narrow diagnostic use.
Interactions
Cortisol- and prolactin-elevating effects may interact with glucocorticoid therapies or medications affecting prolactin levels; no formal interaction studies in humans have been published.
Federal compounding status
503A/503B Category 2: significant safety risk as of 2023.
The FDA placed this substance (503B) in Category 2 of its interim bulk-substances policy, the list it has identified as presenting potential significant safety risks, so it is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding. FDA source
Federal status only, from public FDA records. State pharmacy-board rules vary and are not covered here. This is regulatory reporting, not legal advice. All compounds.
Compounding legality
The FDA placed GHRP-2 in Category 2 of its interim 503A/503B bulk-substances policy, the list of substances it has identified as presenting potential significant safety risks, so it is not eligible for routine pharmacy compounding.
Sources
- Growth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men. (2005) other
- Determination of growth hormone secretagogue pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. (2010) other
- Ghrelin receptor agonist, GHRP-2, produces antinociceptive effects at the supraspinal level via the opioid receptor in mice. (2014) other
GHRP-2 is Not FDA approved. PeptideGrids presents evidence and regulatory status for informational purposes only. We do not sell, supply, source, or help anyone obtain this compound, and we provide no dosing or administration guidance. This is not medical advice; consult a licensed clinician. Full disclaimer.
Last reviewed June 1, 2026 by PeptideGrids editorial team (independently audited).