Understand the source comparison
Comparison: Sarcopenia Peptides 2026 Update
Ipamorelin GHSR1a agonist (ghrelin mimetic). Stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin spike 200–300mcg subcutaneous 3× weekly, 60–90min pre-training ~2 hours 2.8–3.2kg (with resistance training) Injection site reactions (15%), transient hyper
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This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- Ipamorelin
- GHSR1a agonist (ghrelin mimetic). Stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin spike
- 200–300mcg subcutaneous 3× weekly, 60–90min pre-training
- ~2 hours
- 2.8–3.2kg (with resistance training)
- Injection site reactions (15%), transient hyperglycemia (8%)
- Best-studied secretagogue for sarcopenia; requires precise timing and concurrent training
- MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
- Oral ghrelin mimetic. Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation over 24 hours
- 25mg oral once daily (evening dosing reduces daytime lethargy)
- ~24 hours
- 1.6–2.1kg (with resistance training)
- Increased appetite (40%), fasting glucose elevation (12%), peripheral edema (10%)
- Convenient oral dosing but metabolic side effects limit use in pre-diabetic populations
- CJC-1295 (with DAC)
- GHRH analog. Amplifies endogenous GH pulse amplitude
- 2mg subcutaneous weekly (monotherapy) or 1mg weekly (combination with ipamorelin)
- 6–8 days
- 2.2–2.6kg (monotherapy), 3.4–3.8kg (combination therapy)
- Injection site nodules (18%), vasodilation/flushing (12%)
- Extended half-life reduces injection frequency; combination protocols show superior outcomes
- Hexarelin
- GHSR1a agonist. Strongest acute GH release but desensitisation occurs with chronic use
- 100mcg subcutaneous daily (cycle 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off to prevent receptor downregulation)
- ~70 minutes
- 1.4–1.9kg (limited long-term data due to cycling requirement)
- Cortisol elevation (25%), prolactin spike (15%). Highest among secretagogues
- Potent but cycling requirement and side effect profile make it less practical for sarcopenia
- Thymalin
- Thymic peptide. Immune modulation and indirect IGF-1 support via thymosin-beta pathways
- 10mg intramuscular 2× weekly
- ~4–6 hours
- 0.8–1.2kg (adjunctive role, not primary anabolic agent)
- Minimal. Occasional injection site soreness
- Emerging evidence for immune-mediated muscle preservation; not a growth hormone secretagogue