Category · 24 entries
Growth Hormone Axis
GHRH analogs, secretagogues, and related compounds.
Anamorelin
Ono Pharmaceutical's oral ghrelin receptor agonist (Adlumiz) — approved in Japan in 2021 for cancer cachexia in non-small-cell lung, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; FDA issued a Complete Response Letter in 2020 and anamorelin remains unapproved in the US.
Capromorelin
⚠ Veterinary use only — not approved for humans. Elanco's oral ghrelin agonist (Entyce for dogs 2016, Elura for cats 2020) — FDA-approved only for veterinary appetite stimulation. Included for completeness because it is a genuine approved ghrelin receptor agonist with significant online search volume.
CJC-1295
A long-acting GHRH analog engineered with a DAC linker that binds serum albumin, extending half-life from minutes to approximately 8 days.
Corticorelin
Ferring Pharmaceuticals' synthetic ovine CRH (Acthrel) — FDA-approved diagnostic peptide used to distinguish pituitary Cushing disease from ectopic ACTH secretion via inferior petrosal sinus sampling or peripheral ACTH/cortisol response testing.
GHRP-2
A second-generation GHRP approved as a diagnostic agent in Japan, with more pronounced GH-releasing potency than GHRP-6 but a meaningful prolactin and cortisol rise at higher doses.
GHRP-6
The prototype GHRP — a hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist notable for pronounced hunger stimulation and less favorable cortisol/prolactin profile than newer GHRPs.
HCG
An FDA-approved fertility and hypogonadism medication commonly discussed in peptide and TRT communities for post-cycle recovery and testicular preservation during testosterone therapy.
Hexarelin
A high-potency GHRP studied for cardiac protection via a CD36-mediated pathway independent of GH release — but demonstrates clear tachyphylaxis with chronic use.
Ipamorelin
A selective ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates GH release without the cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH spike seen with older GHRPs like GHRP-6.
Lanreotide
The second-generation somatostatin analog (FDA-approved as Somatuline Depot, 2007 for acromegaly; 2014 for GEP-NETs; 2017 for carcinoid) — monthly deep-SC prefilled syringe. Functionally equivalent to octreotide LAR for most indications.
Lonapegsomatropin
Ascendis Pharma's once-weekly growth hormone prodrug (Skytrofa) — the first weekly GH to receive FDA approval (August 2021) for pediatric GH deficiency in patients aged 1+ years weighing at least 11.5 kg.
Macimorelin
An orally active ghrelin receptor agonist FDA-approved in 2017 as a diagnostic test for adult growth hormone deficiency — the only oral alternative to the insulin tolerance test.
Mecasermin
Ipsen's recombinant human IGF-1 (Increlex) — FDA-approved in 2005 for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency; the direct replacement for IGF-1 in patients whose own IGF-1 production is inadequate despite normal GH levels.
Mecasermin rinfabate
Insmed's IGF-1 / IGFBP-3 complex (iPlex) — briefly FDA-approved in 2005 for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency; discontinued in 2008 after a labeling/patent injunction that resolved the competitive dispute between Tercica's Increlex and Insmed's iPlex in favor of Increlex.
MK-677
An orally active non-peptide ghrelin receptor agonist — included here by convention because it is universally marketed alongside peptide GH secretagogues. FDA warns of heart failure risk.
Mod GRF 1-29
A short-acting GHRH analog — chemically identical to CJC-1295 but without the DAC albumin-binding linker — producing discrete GH pulses rather than sustained elevation.
Octreotide
The first-generation somatostatin analog (FDA-approved as Sandostatin, 1988) — the pharmacological counterweight to growth-hormone excess. Used for acromegaly, carcinoid syndrome, and VIPoma; now available in injectable, LAR-depot, and oral (Mycapssa, 2020) formulations.
Pegvisomant
Pfizer's GH receptor antagonist (Somavert) — FDA-approved in 2003 for acromegaly; important to distinguish from GH agonists because it does the opposite (blocks GH action rather than supplementing it).
Protirelin
Synthetic TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) — historically FDA-approved in the US as Thypinone, Relefact TRH, and Thyrel TRH for TSH stimulation testing; US commercial supply has lapsed and TRH testing is now rarely performed with the widespread availability of sensitive third-generation TSH assays.
Sermorelin
The N-terminal 29 amino acids of native GHRH — a former FDA-approved diagnostic and pediatric GH-deficiency therapy, now widely compounded for adult anti-aging protocols.
Somapacitan
Novo Nordisk's once-weekly growth hormone (Sogroya) — FDA-approved in 2020 for adult GH deficiency and in 2023 for pediatric GH deficiency in children aged 2.5+ years.
Somatrogon
Pfizer/OPKO's once-weekly growth hormone (Ngenla) — FDA-approved in June 2023 for pediatric GH deficiency in children aged 3+ years; uses a CTP-fusion strategy borrowed from long-acting follitropin alfa.
Somatropin (HGH)
FDA-approved recombinant human growth hormone — the direct hormone replacement, with multiple clinical indications, prescription-only status, and specific federal criminal provisions against off-label distribution.
Tesamorelin
An FDA-approved GHRH analog for reducing excess visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.