GHRP-2
GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue. In Japan it received approval as an injectable diagnostic agent to test pituitary growth hormone reserve, but it is not approved as a treatment in the United States, the EU or Australia. Human data outside its diagnostic use are limited to early-phase pharmacology studies.
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Mechanism
In plain terms, GHRP-2 mimics the hunger hormone ghrelin to prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone. Technically, it is a synthetic peptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release; it can also modestly raise prolactin, ACTH and cortisol. Its reliable, dose-dependent growth hormone response is the basis for its use as a provocative diagnostic agent in Japan.
Regulatory Status by Region
- United States (FDA)Not approved for any indication; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue with no marketed product.
- Australia (TGA)Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- European Union (EMA)No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU.
- Japan (PMDA)Approved as a diagnostic agent (pralmorelin) used to evaluate growth hormone secretory capacity; not approved as a therapeutic treatment.
- WADAProhibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth hormone secretagogues including GHRP-2 are explicitly covered.
Key Studies
- Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 (GHRP-2), like ghrelin, increases food intake in healthy men (Laferrere et al.) (opens in a new tab) (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90(2):611-614; DOI 10.1210/jc.2004-1719; PMID 15699539)
Common Questions
- What is GHRP-2?
- GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide that stimulates growth hormone secretion via the ghrelin receptor. It is not approved as a therapeutic drug in Western markets, but it is approved in Japan as a diagnostic agent (pralmorelin) used to assess growth hormone secretory capacity. As a growth hormone secretagogue it is prohibited in sport by WADA at all times.
- Is GHRP-2 approved for medical use?
- GHRP-2 is investigational: it is being studied in clinical research and is not an approved medicine. United States (FDA): Not approved for any indication; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue with no marketed product. European Union (EMA): No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the EU. Australia (TGA): Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- How does GHRP-2 work?
- In plain terms, GHRP-2 mimics the hunger hormone ghrelin to prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone. Technically, it is a synthetic peptide agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release; it can also modestly raise prolactin, ACTH and cortisol.
- Is GHRP-2 legal in Australia?
- GHRP-2 in Australia (TGA): Not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); an unapproved substance with no registered product.
- Is GHRP-2 banned in sport?
- GHRP-2 under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth hormone secretagogues including GHRP-2 are explicitly covered.