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CompoundingHHS lets 503A pharmacies compound six peptides under an interim enforcement discretion policyTrial resultRetatrutide beats Ozempic on blood sugar and weight in head-to-head TRANSCEND-T2D-2 trialFDA approvalFDA extends once-weekly insulin icodec (Awiqli) to children 10 and older with type 2 diabetesCompoundingCitizen petition asks FDA not to allow compounding of seven peptides reviewed by its advisory committeeTrial resultSurvodutide SYNCHRONIZE-2 phase 3 results in obesity with type 2 diabetes published in NEJMTrial resultEloraTZP (eloralintide plus tirzepatide) phase 2 results presented at EASD 2026Trial resultOrforglipron ACHIEVE-4 cardiovascular safety trial published in The LancetTrial resultFull TRIUMPH-2 retatrutide results published in The LancetFDA approvalFDA approves insulin efsitora alfa (Onswik), a once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 diabetesWADAWADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List, naming peptides as examples of non-approved substances
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Growth hormone axis

GHRP-6

Also called 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. It is known for also boosting appetite. It is not approved as a medicine 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

GHRP-6 is one of the first synthetic peptides found to release growth hormone through what was later named the ghrelin receptor. It is known for also boosting appetite. It is not approved as a medicine and is banned in sport.

How it works

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

What research shows

Doses studied in people

Human research 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

Two to three times daily, on an empty stomach (30+ minutes before meals) · Subcutaneous injection

Syringe units (U-100)

Dose by week

100 mcg per injectionwk 1–12

Supplies for one course (estimate)

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

Course
8–12 weeks, then 4–8 weeks off
Note
Reported doses range from 100 to 300 mcg per injection; about 1 mcg/kg is described as the saturation dose. Beginners often start once or twice daily.
Source
Peptidepedia: GHRP-6 dosage guide
Also: Peptide Protocol Wiki: GHRP-6 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.

VialLiquid addedConcentrationPer unit (0.01 mL)
5 mg1 mL5 mg/mL50 mcgOpen in calculator
5 mg2 mL2.5 mg/mL25 mcgOpen in calculator
5 mg3 mL1.67 mg/mL16.7 mcgOpen in calculator
10 mg1 mL10 mg/mL100 mcgOpen in calculator
10 mg2 mL5 mg/mL50 mcgOpen in calculator
10 mg3 mL3.33 mg/mL33.3 mcgOpen in calculator

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

Safety

  • FDA cites immunogenicity risk for certain routes and possible effects on cortisol and blood glucose, with limited safety data.
  • 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.

History

Part of the original GHRP series that led to the discovery of the ghrelin receptor. FDA placed it in 503B Category 2 in September 2023.

Common questions

Is GHRP-6 an approved medicine?

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

How does GHRP-6 work?

It activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), which releases growth hormone 1. FDA notes it may also affect cortisol and blood sugar 1.

What doses were studied?

Human research doses could not be verified from a primary source for this profile. Doses seen online do not come from verified trial data.

What are the known risks?

FDA cites a risk of immune reactions for certain routes and possible effects on cortisol and blood sugar, with limited safety data overall 1. Long-term safety is unknown.

Is GHRP-6 banned in sport?

Yes. WADA prohibits it at all times and names GHRP-6 in its growth hormone releasing peptide class 4.

Related compounds

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

GHRP-2

Pralmorelin · KP-102

GHRP-2 is a small synthetic peptide that strongly triggers growth hormone release by acting on 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

  1. FDA: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 04/22/2026) Regulatory
  2. FDA: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A (categories list, updated May 14, 2026) Regulatory
  3. FDA: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503B (categories list, updated March 21, 2025) Regulatory
  4. WADA 2026 Prohibited List (in force 1 January 2026) Regulatory

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