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GHRP-2 vs GHRP-6 vs Ipamorelin
All three molecules are ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonists, but they are not interchangeable tools. The comparison below uses the published comparative characterisation of the family (Raun et al., 1998, European Journal of Endocrinology, in conscious swine; DOI 10.1530/eje.0.1390552) plus the sequences and catalogue data listed for each product on this site.
Side-by-side comparison
| Parameter | GHRP-2 | GHRP-6 | Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Hexapeptide: D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ | Hexapeptide: His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ | Pentapeptide: Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ |
| Receptor | GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) | GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) | GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor); reported Ki ≈ 63 nM in transfected cells |
| Published GH release (swine) | Higher potency, lower efficacy: ED50 0.6 nmol/kg, Emax 56 ng/mL | Lower potency, higher efficacy: ED50 3.9 nmol/kg, Emax 74 ng/mL | ED50 2.3 nmol/kg, Emax 65 ng/mL |
| ACTH / cortisol | Raised in the comparative study | Raised in the comparative study | No significant elevation above GHRH-stimulated levels, even at >200× the GH ED50 |
| Appetite-related endpoints | Reported as weaker than GHRP-6 | Most orexigenic member of the family (NPY/AgRP-linked food-intake signalling) | Reported as minimal in the characterisation data |
| Catalogue kit sizes | 5 mg × 10 vials | 5 mg and 10 mg × 10 vials | 5, 10 and 20 mg × 10 vials |
Published comparative data: Raun K. et al., Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue, Eur J Endocrinol 139(5):552-561 (1998). DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1390552 Catalogue sequences and kit sizes are as listed on each product page.
How to choose between them
Studying appetite or food-intake endpoints
GHRP-6 is the family member whose literature centres on orexigenic signalling. If your readout is appetite-driven rather than GH-driven, GHRP-6 is the standard comparator.
Designing a GH-selective protocol
Ipamorelin is the only member of the family whose published characterisation reports no significant ACTH or cortisol elevation, which is why it is the usual partner peptide in GHRH-plus-secretagogue designs.
Comparing potency against efficacy
GHRP-2 is the more potent but less efficacious molecule in the published swine data. If your design is a dose-response curve, that distinction matters more than a single ED50 number.
Products in this comparison
| Product | List price (per kit of 10 vials) |
|---|---|
| GHRP-2 | US$42–42 per kit (10 vials), from our published wholesale price list; tiered volume discounts apply (see the tier table) |
| GHRP-6 | US$42–69 per kit (10 vials), from our published wholesale price list; tiered volume discounts apply (see the tier table) |
| Ipamorelin | US$45–143 per kit (10 vials), from our published wholesale price list; tiered volume discounts apply (see the tier table) |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | US$85–159 per kit (10 vials), from our published wholesale price list; tiered volume discounts apply (see the tier table) |
| Sermorelin | US$69–106 per kit (10 vials), from our published wholesale price list; tiered volume discounts apply (see the tier table) |
FAQ
What is the main difference between GHRP-2 and GHRP-6?
Both are hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonists, but their published profiles differ: GHRP-2 released GH with higher potency and lower maximal efficacy, while GHRP-6 was the more efficacious and more orexigenic molecule in the comparative porcine study (Raun et al., 1998).
Which GHRP does not raise cortisol or ACTH?
Ipamorelin. In the same comparative design it produced no significant ACTH or cortisol elevation above GHRH-stimulated levels, even at doses more than 200-fold the GH-releasing ED50, whereas GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 both raised them.
Can these secretagogues be combined with a GHRH analogue?
Yes. Research designs commonly pair a ghrelin-receptor agonist with a GHRH-receptor agonist such as CJC-1295 (with or without DAC) or Sermorelin, because the two act on different upstream receptors. We supply the pre-formulated CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin blend as a separate product for that purpose.
Are prices shown per kit?
Yes. Every list price on this site is per kit of 10 vials, taken from our published wholesale price list. Volume discounts apply from 5 kits (10%), 20 kits (20%) and 50 kits (30%).
Need a quote for this group?
Component specifications, batch COAs and volume pricing for the whole cluster — quoted within one business day.