NO. 033 · STAGE 1 · Lv. 70 · HP 125
GHRP-2
Low-Appetite Ghrelin Receptor Agonist · Pralmorelin
ALIASES
GHRP-2, Pralmorelin, KP102, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2
CLASS
Synthetic hexapeptide · ghrelin receptor agonist
FORMULA
C45H55N9O6
SEQUENCE
D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
HALF-LIFE
~15-60 minutes
ROUTES
Subcutaneous (research) · Intranasal (Japan diagnostic)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Hexapeptide ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist. Drives pituitary GH release with mild concomitant cortisol and prolactin elevation. Lower appetite stimulation than the structurally related GHRP-6.
EVIDENCE GRADES
Pralmorelin approved as a diagnostic agent in Japan for GH-deficiency testing. Reliable acute GH-response biomarker.
Well-characterized GHS-R1a binding affinity (Bowers, Smith et al.). Lower appetite signal than the structurally related GHRP-6.
No completed long-term Phase 3 trials for body-composition endpoints.
MECHANISM CATEGORIES
RESEARCH CONDITIONS
SAFETY
Side effects
- Transient hunger (mild)
- Mild cortisol elevation
- Mild prolactin elevation
- Flushing
- Injection-site reactions
Known interactions
- Concurrent rhGH not recommended
- Glucocorticoids may blunt response
Contraindications
- Active malignancy
- Pituitary tumor
- Pregnancy/lactation
REGULATORY STATUS
FDA · Not FDA-approved. Research-use only in the United States.
WADA · Prohibited at all times under WADA Section S2 (growth-hormone-secretagogue sub-category).
STORAGE
Lyophilized · 4 °C 24 months
Reconstituted · 2-8 °C, 28 days
PEER-REVIEWED EVIDENCE
- Bowers CY, Reynolds GA, Durham D, et al.. Growth hormone-releasing peptide-2: A diagnostic agent for pediatric GH deficiency. Endocrine 2001. link →
- Smith RG, Van der Ploeg LH, Howard AD, et al.. Pharmacology and effects of growth hormone-releasing peptides. Endocr Rev 1997. link →
FAQ · 8 QUESTIONS
▶ What is GHRP-2?
GHRP-2 (also called pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin / GHS-R1a receptor agonist that triggers pulsatile GH release from anterior-pituitary somatotrophs. It is approved as a diagnostic agent for GH-deficiency testing in Japan.
▶ GHRP-2 vs GHRP-6 · what's the difference?
Both are hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonists. GHRP-2 has lower appetite signal than GHRP-6 due to differential downstream signaling at the GHS-R1a. GHRP-2 is preferred where appetite stimulation is unwanted; GHRP-6 is preferred where appetite stimulation is part of the research design.
▶ GHRP-2 vs ipamorelin · which is cleaner?
Ipamorelin is the cleanest in the class (no significant cortisol or prolactin elevation). GHRP-2 produces mild cortisol and prolactin elevation along with the GH pulse. Both are GHS-R1a agonists; ipamorelin's selectivity is the differentiator.
▶ Is GHRP-2 FDA-approved?
Not in the United States. Pralmorelin (the diagnostic formulation) is approved in Japan for GH-deficiency testing.
▶ Is GHRP-2 WADA-prohibited?
Yes. GHRP-2 is prohibited at all times under WADA Section S2 in the growth-hormone-secretagogue sub-category.
▶ What is the half-life of GHRP-2?
Approximately 15-60 minutes plasma half-life. Multiple daily administrations are needed for sustained GH-axis stimulation in research protocols.
▶ How does GHRP-2 work?
GHRP-2 binds the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs and arcuate-nucleus neurons. The pituitary engagement triggers GH release; the hypothalamic engagement produces mild appetite stimulation (less than GHRP-6, more than ipamorelin).
▶ Why is GHRP-2 paired with a GHRH analog?
Ghrelin-receptor activation alone produces a smaller GH pulse than dual-pathway activation. Pairing with a GHRH analog (CJC-1295 No DAC or sermorelin) engages an independent upstream pathway and amplifies the pulse synergistically.
SIGNATURE MOVES
Ghrelin receptor activation. Lower appetite signal than GHRP-6.
Used as a diagnostic GH-secretion test in Japan.
SOURCED FROM PEPPU LABS
Reference compounds documented on this page are available as research-grade material at Peppu Studio · ≥99% purity · per-batch Certificate of Analysis. For laboratory research use only. No human dose is recommended by this wiki.
▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-25