Compounded (503A/503B)

Ipamorelin Dosage Chart

Solo and combined-with-CJC-1295 protocols, reconstitution math, and the timing windows that align with natural GH pulses.

Written by
Megan Williams
Editor-in-Chief
Reviewed by
Brian Williams
Co-founder & Research Editor
Last updated
April 25, 2026

Educational tool — not medical advice. This calculator provides estimates based on population averages and published trial data. Outputs are not clinical recommendations and do not replace evaluation by a qualified prescriber. Do not start, stop, or change a peptide therapy based on the result of this tool.

Ipamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue acting on the ghrelin receptor. It is widely considered the cleanest of the GH-releasing peptides because — unlike GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and hexarelin — it does not significantly elevate cortisol or prolactin at typical doses. It is most commonly paired with CJC-1295 (no DAC) to produce a synergistic, pulsatile GH release.

Ipamorelin at a Glance

Solo dose200–300 mcg subQ, 1–3× per day
With CJC-1295 (no DAC)100–200 mcg of each, 1–3× per day
Best timingPre-bed (after fasting 90+ min) and/or fasted morning
Cycle length8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off
FDA statusNot FDA-approved. Compounded; small human PK studies but no FDA dose-ranging trials.
SelectivityDoes not significantly elevate cortisol or prolactin (unlike GHRP-2/6, hexarelin)
Common vial size5 mg lyophilized powder

Ipamorelin Reconstitution Chart

How vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and insulin-syringe units convert for Ipamorelin. Use this to translate a prescribed mcg or mg dose into a syringe measurement.

Vial sizeBac waterConcentrationDose → insulin-syringe units (U-100)
5 mg2 mL2.5 mg/mL (250 mcg per 0.1 mL)
  • 200 mcg8 units
  • 300 mcg12 units
5 mg2.5 mL2 mg/mL (200 mcg per 0.1 mL)
  • 200 mcg10 units
  • 300 mcg15 units
5 mg5 mL1 mg/mL (100 mcg per 0.1 mL)
  • 100 mcg10 units
  • 200 mcg20 units

U-100 syringe reference: 100 units = 1.0 mL. So 10 units = 0.1 mL, 25 units = 0.25 mL, 50 units = 0.5 mL. If you receive a pre-mixed CJC/Ipa blend vial, the printed strength reflects the combined peptide load — confirm the per-component breakdown with your pharmacy.

Ipamorelin Dosing by Use Case

Commonly cited protocols vary by what Ipamorelin is being used for. The table below summarizes typical ranges reported in clinical practice and published literature.

Use caseTypical doseFrequencyCycle lengthNotes
Sleep / recovery (solo, single daily dose)200–300 mcgPre-bed, 90+ min after last meal8–12 weeksDefault single-dose protocol. Most accessible entry-level use.
Lean mass / body composition (with CJC-1295 no-DAC)100–200 mcg of each peptide1–3× daily (AM fasted, post-workout, pre-bed)8–12 weeksCombined CJC/Ipa is the dominant body-composition protocol.
Anti-aging / general wellness200 mcgPre-bed, 5–7 nights per week12+ weeks with cycle breaksConservative protocol focused on overnight GH pulse alignment.

Stacking Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is most commonly stacked with CJC-1295 (no DAC) — the pairing is the dominant GH-secretagogue protocol in 2026 peptide therapy. Some practitioners also pair ipamorelin with tesamorelin (a GHRH analog with FDA approval) for visceral fat reduction in older patients.

Safety profile

Ipamorelin has the cleanest side-effect profile among GH secretagogues, but long-term human safety data is limited.

  • Common reported side effects: injection-site reactions, mild head-rush after injection, transient hunger increase (ghrelin-receptor mediated).
  • Does not significantly elevate cortisol or prolactin at typical doses, which is its main advantage over GHRP-2, GHRP-6, and hexarelin.
  • Theoretical concern with chronic GH elevation: insulin resistance, fluid retention, possible facilitation of cancer growth in patients with malignancy.
  • Long-term safety data in humans is limited to small studies. Most commercial development was discontinued.
Do not use if
  • Active or recent malignancy
  • Untreated hyperglycemia or poorly controlled diabetes
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Children or adolescents outside specialist GH-deficiency care

Ipamorelin Dosing FAQ

The most common protocols are once daily (pre-bed only) or three times daily (AM fasted, post-workout, pre-bed). Once-daily is sufficient for sleep and recovery goals; multi-dose schedules are used when body composition is the primary goal and the patient can manage the compliance burden.

Combined dosing produces a larger GH pulse than either alone because the two peptides act on different receptors (ghrelin and GHRH respectively). For body composition or anti-aging goals, combined dosing is the standard. Solo ipamorelin is reasonable for patients prioritizing sleep alone or who are sensitive to additional peptides.

Elevated insulin from a recent meal blunts GH release. Most protocols specify at least 90 minutes after the last meal, and longer (2–3 hours) for pre-bed dosing, to maximize the GH pulse triggered by the peptide.

Ipamorelin is not on the WADA Prohibited List by name, but GH-releasing peptides as a class are prohibited in competitive sport. WADA's S2 category covers peptide hormones and growth factors broadly. If you compete under WADA-aligned testing, do not use ipamorelin.

Sources

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Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any peptide therapy treatment.