Growth hormone axis

GHRP-2

Also called Pralmorelin, KP-102, Growth hormone releasing peptide-2

GHRP-2 is a small synthetic peptide that strongly triggers growth hormone release by acting on the ghrelin receptor. It has been studied as a test for growth hormone deficiency. It is not FDA-approved and is banned in sport.

Early human dataSome small human studies exist; evidence is limited.

All printable flashcards

Illustrative chain. The exact sequence has not been published in a source we could verify.

Overview

How it works

Established for the class: activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pituitary and hypothalamus, releasing growth hormone. FDA notes possible effects on cortisol and blood glucose for related GHRPs.

What research shows

Doses studied in people

Human diagnostic studies of GHRP-2 exist, but their doses were not verified from a primary source for this profile; doses circulating online are not from verified trial data.

Read this first: these are the amounts given to participants in published studies or written on official prescribing labels, reported for reference. They are not recommendations. Trial doses were chosen for specific patients under medical supervision, and a dose that is safe in one person can be harmful in another.

Weekly protocol

How the schedule looks week by week. Each chart says where it comes from: a prescribing label, a clinical trial, or a protocol commonly reported online.

Commonly reported protocol

Commonly reported, not studied

One week

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7

Once daily, in the evening · Subcutaneous injection

Syringe units (U-100)

Vial Water added

Dose by week

100 mcgwk 1–2

150 mcgwk 3–4

200 mcgwk 5–16

Supplies for one course (estimate)

Counts only. This site does not sell or link to supplies.

Course: 8–12 weeks (up to 16)
Note: Another guide lists 100–300 mcg two to three times daily on an empty stomach, sometimes 5 days on and 2 off. Human studies used single IV doses for diagnostic testing.
Source: PeptideDosages.com: GHRP-2 (5 mg vial) dosage protocol
Also: Peptide Protocol Wiki: GHRP-2 dosing protocols

Reference only, not a recommendation. Charts marked "commonly reported" describe what public sources say people use. They have not been tested in trials, and their safety and effect are unknown. Label and trial schedules were set for specific patients under medical supervision. Use the calculator only to understand the arithmetic.

Vial math

Many research vials hold 5 or 10 mg of powder. This table shows how much ends up in each mark on a U-100 insulin syringe for common amounts of added liquid. It is arithmetic only, not a dose.

Vial	Liquid added	Concentration	Per unit (0.01 mL)
5 mg	1 mL	5 mg/mL	50 mcg	Open in calculator
5 mg	2 mL	2.5 mg/mL	25 mcg	Open in calculator
5 mg	3 mL	1.67 mg/mL	16.7 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	1 mL	10 mg/mL	100 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	2 mL	5 mg/mL	50 mcg	Open in calculator
10 mg	3 mL	3.33 mg/mL	33.3 mcg	Open in calculator

More sizes: all vial sizes · How this works: Syringes and units · Reconstitution guide.

Safety

FDA cites immunogenicity and impurity risks for injectable and nasal compounded forms.
FDA notes reported serious adverse events (including increased insulin needs, infection, pancreatitis and deaths) for which causality was not established.
Unknown long-term safety.

Report side effects of any drug or product to the FDA through MedWatch. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Legal status

FDA: Not FDA-approved in the US
Compounding: 503A: Category 3 (nominated with insufficient supporting information; May 2026 list) — not eligible for 503A compounding. 503B: Category 2 for injectable and nasal routes (since Sept 29, 2023); Category 1 for other routes.
Sports (WADA): Prohibited at all times (S2.2.4 GHRPs; GHRP-2/pralmorelin named)

Rules change often. See Legal status of peptides for how these categories work.

History

One of a family of synthetic GH-releasing peptides developed from the 1980s onward. FDA placed injectable and nasal GHRP-2 in Category 2 for 503B outsourcing facilities in September 2023.

Common questions

Is GHRP-2 FDA-approved?

No. It is not FDA-approved and is not eligible for compounding by regular pharmacies under FDA's 503A rules ². For outsourcing facilities, FDA placed injectable and nasal forms in Category 2, its group for substances that may pose significant safety risks, in September 2023 ¹³.

How does GHRP-2 work?

Like others in its class, it activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) in the brain and pituitary, which releases growth hormone ¹. FDA notes related peptides may also affect cortisol and blood sugar ¹.

What doses were studied?

Human diagnostic studies exist, but their doses could not be verified from a primary source for this profile. Doses seen online do not come from verified trial data.

Is GHRP-2 safe?

FDA cites risks of immune reactions and impurities for injectable and nasal compounded forms ¹. FDA also notes reported serious adverse events, including higher insulin needs, infection, pancreatitis and deaths, though it did not establish that GHRP-2 caused them ¹.

Is GHRP-2 banned in sport?

Yes. WADA prohibits it at all times and names GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) in its growth hormone releasing peptide class ⁴.

Sold in blends and stacks

CJC-1295 + GHRP-2

Related compounds

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

GHRP-6

Growth hormone releasing peptide-6 · SKF-110679

GHRP-6 is one of the first synthetic peptides found to release growth hormone through what was later named the ghrelin receptor.

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

Hexarelin

Examorelin · EP-23905

Hexarelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide closely related to GHRP-6.

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin acetate · NNC 26-0161

Ipamorelin is a small lab-made peptide (five building blocks) that copies the hunger hormone ghrelin to make the pituitary release growth hormone.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 · How we research · Found an error? See our corrections policy.