Comparison
GHRP-2 vs TUDCA
Side-by-side of GHRP-2 and TUDCA. 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.
TUDCA
TUDCA is the taurine-conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid, a bile-acid molecule with replicated effects on liver function, ER stress, and bile flow.
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
TUDCA
- •Bile-acid molecule (taurine-conjugated UDCA) with chemical chaperone activity at the endoplasmic reticulum
- •Established pharmaceutical use for cholestasis and primary biliary cholangitis at 500-750 mg/day
- •Reduces ER stress and stabilizes misfolded proteins; the mechanistic basis for emerging ALS / retinal applications
- •Modest improvements in NAFLD markers and insulin sensitivity at 500-1,750 mg/day in small trials
- •Mitochondrial protection signal in animal models drives the longevity-supplement positioning
- •Generally well-tolerated; mild GI effects are the main dose-dependent issue
Side-by-side
| Attribute | GHRP-2 | TUDCA |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2, Pralmorelin, KP-102, GPA-748 | tauroursodeoxycholic acid, taurine-conjugated UDCA |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 4 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily | daily, divided into 2 doses with food |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 817.97 | 499.7 |
| Molecular formula | C45H55N9O6 | C26H45NO6S |
| 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. | Bile-acid signaling via FXR/TGR5 receptors; chemical chaperone reducing ER stress and unfolded protein response; mitochondrial protection through reduced outer-membrane permeabilization. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; approved in Japan as pralmorelin (diagnostic); research-use-only grey market in US/EU; banned by WADA | OTC dietary supplement (US); pharmaceutical in Italy and several Asian countries |
| WADA status | banned | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled in US (research chemical); approved diagnostic in Japan | OTC supplement |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Insufficient data for supplement use; UDCA used in cholestasis of pregnancy |
| CAS | 158861-67-7 | 14605-22-2 |
| PubChem CID | 9919072 | 9848818 |
| Wikidata | Q7235681 | Q418751 |
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)
TUDCA
Common side effects
- mild GI upset
- diarrhea (dose-dependent)
- constipation (rare)
- nausea
Contraindications
- complete biliary obstruction
- pregnancy / lactation (insufficient supplement-dose data)
- active GI disease without medical supervision
Interactions
- cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, fat-soluble vitamins: modest absorption changes via altered bile-acid pool(minor)
- phenylbutyrate: synergistic for ALS use (Relyvrio combination); consult clinician(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
TUDCA comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, 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 liver function, pick TUDCA.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick TUDCA.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, TUDCA is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: TUDCA. Lower friction to source, 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 TUDCA?
GHRP-2 and TUDCA differ in category (peptide vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, GHRP-2 or TUDCA?
GHRP-2 half-life is 0.5 hours; TUDCA half-life is 4 hours.
Can you stack GHRP-2 with TUDCA?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper