Comparison
GHRP-2 vs Semaglutide
Side-by-side of GHRP-2 and Semaglutide. 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.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide for weight loss: GLP-1 agonist (Ozempic, Wegovy) drives 15-17% mean loss at 2.4 mg/week in STEP trials. Watch lean-mass loss.
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
Semaglutide
- •Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with a ~7-day half-life that supports once-weekly subcutaneous dosing
- •STEP trials reported ~15 to 17% mean body-weight loss at 2.4 mg/week over 68 weeks in adults with obesity
- •Lowers HbA1c by ~1.0 to 1.8 percentage points in type 2 diabetes versus placebo
- •SELECT trial showed reduced major cardiovascular events in adults with prior CVD and overweight or obesity
- •Up to 25 to 40% of weight lost can be lean mass; pairing with resistance training and protein intake mitigates this
- •GI effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation) drive most discontinuations and ease with slow titration
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-2 | Semaglutide |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 168 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 2.4 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | weekly (SC); daily (oral Rybelsus) |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | subcutaneous, oral |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 24 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 72 |
| Molecular weight | 817.97 | 4113.58 |
| Molecular formula | C45H55N9O6 | - |
| 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. | Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist; potentiates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and acts on hypothalamic satiety centers. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA | Prescription only (FDA-approved, EMA-approved) |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan | Rx only (not a controlled substance); FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2017) and chronic weight management (2021) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Not recommended; discontinue 2 months before planned pregnancy |
| CAS | 158861-67-7 | 910463-68-2 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 56843331 |
| Wikidata | Q7235681 | Q27089394 |
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)
Semaglutide
Common side effects
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- injection-site reactions
- fatigue
Contraindications
- personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
- pregnancy
- history of pancreatitis (use caution)
Interactions
- insulin: additive hypoglycemia risk; insulin dose typically reduced(major)
- sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide): hypoglycemia risk, sulfonylurea dose often reduced(major)
- oral medications (general): delayed gastric emptying can alter absorption kinetics(moderate)
- warfarin: monitor INR due to altered absorption(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Semaglutide comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 2 catalogued goals, prescription-only, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. GHRP-2 is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick GHRP-2.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Semaglutide.
- → If your priority is fat loss, pick Semaglutide.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Semaglutide is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Semaglutide. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for GHRP-2 only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns 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 Semaglutide?
GHRP-2 and Semaglutide differ in category (peptide vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-2 or Semaglutide?
GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours; Semaglutide half-life is 168 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-2 with Semaglutide?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper