Library / Growth hormone

GHRP-2

Also known as Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748

Human trials

Synthetic hexapeptide that stimulates growth hormone release via the ghrelin receptor. Used in Japan as a diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiency (Not verified); otherwise studied in small human studies.

Not an approved medicine. GHRP-2 is not an approved medicine for this use in Australia or the United States. This page summarises published research for information only. It is not a recommendation to use GHRP-2, and VialOwl does not sell or supply it.

Background

One of a family of small growth hormone releasing peptides synthesised by Cyril Bowers' group at Tulane University in the USA, with Polygen in Germany. Kaken Pharmaceutical developed it in Japan (as KP-102) as a diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiency; US development with Wyeth appears to have been discontinued.

How it is thought to work

Mimics the hunger hormone ghrelin at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, triggering a pulse of growth hormone from the pituitary. It also raises ACTH, cortisol and prolactin.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiency	Small human studies	Described as widely used in Japan in diagnostic cohort studies; not approved by the TGA, FDA or EMA. Japanese approval status not verified here.
Raising growth hormone and IGF-1 in prolonged critical illness	Small human studies	Small randomised crossover studies in intensive care (for example 26 patients) showed hormonal changes, not clinical benefit.
Treating short stature in children	Small human studies	Reached phase 2 in Japan; no approval found.
Muscle gain, fat loss, better sleep and recovery	No published evidence	Common in online self administration protocols; no controlled trials for these uses.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
Raised cortisol and ACTH	Common	Consistent hormonal effect seen in human and animal studies.
Raised prolactin	Common	Reported for GH secretagogues in human studies and reviews.
Increased appetite	Common	Class effect of ghrelin mimetics.
Higher blood glucose or insulin needs Serious	Frequency unknown	FDA cites reports of increased insulin requirement to maintain blood glucose.
Deaths in critically ill study subjects, infection and pancreatitis Serious	Case reports	Reported to FDA; causality not established.
Fluid retention, joint and muscle aches, injection site reactions	Frequency unknown	Reported in reviews of people self administering GH axis peptides.

Warnings

FDA placed GHRP-2 for injection and nasal use in a category for significant safety risks, citing immunogenicity, impurities and reports of serious adverse events.
Can raise blood glucose and cortisol; long term safety, including cancer risk, has not been studied.
Unapproved products bought online or from compounders may be contaminated, non sterile, underdosed, overdosed or contain a different substance; the TGA warns their labelling may be inaccurate and it has received reports of severe allergic reactions and hospitalisations.

Regulatory status

Australia: Not included on the ARTG (unapproved). Schedule 4 in the Poisons Standard (as pralmorelin), with Appendix D clause 5 possession controls.
United States: Not FDA approved. In 503A Category 3 (nominated without adequate support) and 503B Category 2 (significant safety risks).

Sources

Also in Growth hormone

From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use GHRP-2.