Comparison
GHRP-2 vs Hexarelin
Side-by-side of GHRP-2 and Hexarelin. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
GHRP-2
GHRP-2 peptide (pralmorelin, KP-102) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers pulsatile growth hormone release via the pituitary.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin peptide is a ghrelin-receptor hexapeptide. Largest acute GH pulse in the GHRP class, highest cortisol and prolactin lift, CD36 cardioprotective sign.
Effects at a glance
GHRP-2
- •Hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that stimulates pulsatile GH release within 15 to 30 minutes
- •Strongest appetite signal among GHRPs at standard doses; centrally mediated via NPY/AgRP
- •Produces measurable cortisol and prolactin rise (more than ipamorelin, less than GHRP-6)
- •Approved in Japan as pralmorelin for GH-deficiency diagnostic provocation; not FDA approved
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 300 mcg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach
- •Banned by WADA under S2; detection methods validated in accredited labs
Hexarelin
- •Synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist; produces the largest acute GH pulse of the synthetic GHRP class
- •Independent CD36 signaling produces cardioprotective effects in rodent ischemia models, GH-independent
- •Pronounced tachyphylaxis: GH response attenuates over 2 to 4 weeks of daily dosing
- •More cortisol and prolactin elevation than GHRP-2 or ipamorelin
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 200 mcg subcutaneously 1 to 2 times daily for 2 to 4 week pulses
- •Banned by WADA under S2; advanced through phase 2 trials but never reached registration
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-2 | Hexarelin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 | Examorelin, EP-23905, His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 1 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | 1-2x daily |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Molecular weight | 817.97 | 887.04 |
| Molecular formula | C45H55N9O6 | C47H58N12O6 |
| Mechanism | Hexapeptide agonist of the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Suppresses hypothalamic somatostatin tone and stimulates pituitary somatotrophs, producing a pulsatile GH release with secondary cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH elevation. | Hexapeptide agonist of GHS-R1a producing acute GH release with cortisol and prolactin co-elevation. Independent CD36 binding produces GH-independent cardioprotective signaling in preclinical models. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA | Not FDA approved; advanced through phase 2 trials in EU but never registered; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA |
| WADA status | banned | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan | Not scheduled (research chemical) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 158861-67-7 | 140703-51-1 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 3037387 |
| Wikidata | Q7235681 | Q5743550 |
Safety profile
GHRP-2
Common side effects
- acute hunger
- head pressure or flushing
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- tingling at injection site
- transient lethargy
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- severe insulin resistance
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; commonly co-administered for larger pulse(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: blunt GH response and amplify cortisol load(moderate)
Hexarelin
Common side effects
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- head pressure or flushing
- transient lethargy
- tingling at injection site
- moderate hunger
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- prolactin-sensitive states
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; accelerates tachyphylaxis if used continuously(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: amplify cortisol load; blunt GH response(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
GHRP-2 and Hexarelin score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is appetite regulation, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is cardiac function, pick Hexarelin.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
Default choice: either is defensible. GHRP-2 edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; Hexarelin is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between GHRP-2 and Hexarelin?
GHRP-2 and Hexarelin differ in category (peptide vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-2 or Hexarelin?
GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours; Hexarelin half-life is 1 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-2 with Hexarelin?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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