Comparison · Updated
GHRP-2 VS GHRP-6
Short answer
GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 have the same evidence tier: both are tier B (Small human studies).
Neither GHRP-2 nor GHRP-6 is FDA-approved.
Both are prohibited in sport by WADA under section S2.
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Side by side
| Field | GHRP-2 | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence tier | B Tier B · Small human studies | B Tier B · Small human studies |
| Tier rationale | Human data are mainly small pharmacological and diagnostic studies; approved only in Japan as a GH-deficiency diagnostic. | Human data are limited to small pharmacological studies of GH release; no approved use. |
| FDA status | Not approved | Not approved |
| Other approvals |
| None listed |
| WADA | Prohibited · S2Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics | Prohibited · S2Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics |
| Family | GH & Growth | GH & Growth |
| Residues | Not on file | Not on file |
| Molecular weight | Not on file | Not on file |
| Formula | Not on file | Not on file |
| Discovered | Not on file | 1984Described by Bowers and colleagues as a synthetic GH-releasing hexapeptide. |
| Routes studied | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular |
| Mechanism | GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide that acts as a potent agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a/ghrelin receptor) in the pituitary and hypothalamus. It stimulates GH release through both a direct pituitary action and by amplifying GHRH signaling, while also modestly activating the ghrelin appetite pathway. | GHRP-6 is a synthetic met-enkephalin-derived hexapeptide that activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons. It triggers GH release via inositol triphosphate/protein kinase C signaling and also potently stimulates gastric motility and appetite through vagal afferent activation. |
| Safety notes | Human study data available. | Extensively studied in humans. |
| Cited studies | 0 studies | 0 studies |
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Questions
- Which has stronger evidence, GHRP-2 or GHRP-6?
- GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 have the same evidence tier: both are tier B (Small human studies). GHRP-2: Human data are mainly small pharmacological and diagnostic studies; approved only in Japan as a GH-deficiency diagnostic. GHRP-6: Human data are limited to small pharmacological studies of GH release; no approved use. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness.
- Is GHRP-2 FDA-approved?
- GHRP-2 is not FDA-approved. Approvals listed outside the US: Japan — pralmorelin (GHRP Kaken 100) diagnostic for GH deficiency.
- Is GHRP-6 FDA-approved?
- GHRP-6 is not FDA-approved.
- Are GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 banned in sport?
- Both are prohibited in sport by WADA under section S2.
- How do GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 work?
- GHRP-2 is a synthetic hexapeptide that acts as a potent agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a/ghrelin receptor) in the pituitary and hypothalamus. GHRP-6 is a synthetic met-enkephalin-derived hexapeptide that activates the GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons.