GHRP-2
Also known as: Pralmorelin, KP-102
GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin mimetic that activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) at the hypothalamus and pituitary, amplifying GHRH and reducing somatostatin tone to drive a transient growth hormone pulse.
This page is a structured profile. Narrative evidence, dosing context and FAQs live on the research guide — not duplicated here as a second full article.
- Drug class
- Growth hormone secretagogue / ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist (synthetic hexapeptide)
- Primary targets
- Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a), Ghrelin receptor, Anterior pituitary somatotrophs, Hypothalamic GHRH/somatostatin neurons
- Dose reference
- Diagnostic use only (not a therapeutic recommendation): single 100 microgram IV bolus in adults, or ~2 micrograms/kg IV in children, for GH-deficiency provocative testing
- Half-life
- Short; GH response peaks ~15-60 min after IV dosing and clears within a few hours (precise human half-life not consistently reported)
- Developer / origin
- Kaken Pharmaceutical (Japan); compound originated from the GHRP work of Bowers and colleagues
- Reference year
- 2004
- Evidence score
- 3/5 - Validated GH-deficiency diagnostic; no established therapeutic use
Validated GH-deficiency diagnostic; no established therapeutic use
GHRP-2 has solid primary-source human evidence as a single-bolus growth hormone secretagogue used to diagnose GH deficiency, including a regulatory approval in Japan. Evidence for any chronic therapeutic, body-composition or anti-aging use is absent, and off-target ACTH, cortisol, prolactin and appetite effects are documented.
Limited human pharmacology or small clinical evidence.
Evidence basis
- Approved in Japan as a single-dose pralmorelin diagnostic for GH deficiency; validated GH cut-offs in adults (~15 ug/L) and children
- Randomized human studies show GHRP-2 raises food intake like ghrelin in lean and obese subjects
- Documented direct ACTH-releasing activity and cortisol/prolactin elevation in human pituitary testing
- No FDA approval and no validated therapeutic indication; development for GHD/short-stature treatment did not reach market
- Long-term, repeated-dose human safety data are lacking because approved use is a one-time provocative test
Key references
- PubMedGeneral pharmacology of KP-102 (GHRP-2), a potent growth hormone-releasing peptide
- Journal of the Endocrine SocietyClinical Usefulness of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Test for Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorder
- PubMedConcordant and discordant ACTH responses induced by GHRP-2, CRH and insulin-induced hypoglycemia: direct ACTH releasing activity of GHRP-2
- PMC / J Clin Endocrinol MetabGrowth hormone releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men
- PubMedThe growth hormone-releasing activity of a synthetic hexapeptide in normal men and short statured children after oral administration
How to read this entry
Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.
Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.
GHRP-2 guides
Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.
Peptide calculators
Use calculators for concentration, unit conversion and repeated-dose accumulation math.
Compare with related peptides
Stay inside the same research category and compare mechanism, status and evidence quality.
Ipamorelin
NNC 26-0161
Selectively stimulates pituitary growth hormone release without significant cortisol or prolactin elevation seen with older GHRPs.
CJC-1295
DAC:GRF
Long-acting growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog. The DAC variant binds serum albumin to extend half-life and sustain GH/IGF-1 elevation.
Tesamorelin
Egrifta
Stabilized GHRH analog. Approved for reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
IGF-1 LR3
Long R3 IGF-1
A modified IGF-1 that binds IGF binding proteins far more weakly than native IGF-1, leaving it free to act as a potent, long-acting agonist at the IGF-1 receptor.
Category hub
Open the category page for the full comparison table and FAQ.