Growth hormone-releasing peptide (pralmorelin)

GHRP-2 in Canada

Also known as Pralmorelin · KP-102 · Growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 · GHRP Kaken 100 (approved diagnostic, not sold here)

GHRP-2, or pralmorelin, is a synthetic hexapeptide from Cyril Bowers' growth hormone-releasing peptide series — the compounds that led to the discovery of the ghrelin receptor. It is the most potent GH releaser of the classic GHRPs, also raises cortisol and prolactin, stimulates appetite, and is the only member of the family with a marketing approval anywhere: in Japan, as a single-dose diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiency. Canada Peptides carries research-grade GHRP-2 priced and shipped in CAD for laboratory and research use only.

Quick facts

Class: Synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS-R1a agonist)
Structure: 6 amino acids · D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 · ~818 Da
Half-life: Short; on the order of an hour after intravenous or subcutaneous dosing in human studies
Route in research: Intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal and oral in human studies
Cadence in research: Single bolus (diagnostic use); once to three times daily in the paediatric and applied-research literature
Storage: Lyophilised: refrigerated, dark. Reconstituted: refrigerated, used within weeks
Status in Canada: No Health Canada market authorisation or DIN. Research use only

GHRP-2 FAQ

Is GHRP-2 for sale in Canada?

Yes. Research-grade GHRP-2 is available in Canada from Canada Peptides as a standalone vial, priced and shipped in CAD. It is supplied strictly for laboratory and research use, not for human consumption.

What is GHRP-2?

GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic six-amino-acid growth hormone-releasing peptide from Cyril Bowers' series at Tulane. It acts on the ghrelin receptor to trigger a pulse of growth hormone, and it is the most potent GH releaser of the classic GHRPs.

Is GHRP-2 approved anywhere?

In Japan, as a diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency: a single 100 µg intravenous dose provokes a GH response that is measured to assess pituitary function. It has no therapeutic approval anywhere and no Health Canada authorisation.

What does the research on GHRP-2 actually show?

Detailed human pharmacology: dose-dependent GH release by several routes, additivity with GHRH, increased appetite, and acute rises in cortisol and prolactin. Small paediatric studies reported increased growth in some GH-deficient children. There is no published trial for body composition, recovery or ageing in adults.

What is the half-life of GHRP-2?

Short — on the order of an hour in human pharmacokinetic modelling. GH peaks within 15 to 30 minutes of an intravenous dose and returns to baseline within a few hours, which is why applied-research protocols dose it more than once a day.

How was GHRP-2 dosed in studies?

The Japanese diagnostic uses a single 100 µg intravenous bolus. Pharmacology studies used about 1 µg/kg intravenously, a few µg/kg subcutaneously and much larger intranasal and oral doses; paediatric growth studies used roughly 0.3–3 µg/kg subcutaneously once or twice daily. There is no validated human dose for research purposes, and this page does not recommend one; the material sold here is for research use only.

What side effects does GHRP-2 research report?

After single doses: transient flushing, warmth, sweating, headache, hunger and occasional nausea. Unlike ipamorelin, it raises ACTH, cortisol and prolactin acutely, and the effect of repeated dosing on those axes has not been studied in adults. Theoretical concerns about insulin sensitivity and IGF-1 and tumour growth are unstudied. The FDA declined to permit it in compounded medicines in 2023.

GHRP-2 vs GHRP-6 vs ipamorelin — what is the difference?

All three act on the ghrelin receptor. GHRP-2 releases the most GH and also raises cortisol and prolactin with a moderate appetite effect; GHRP-6 releases somewhat less GH with a strong appetite effect; ipamorelin releases GH with no measurable cortisol or prolactin rise and a mild appetite effect.

GHRP-2 in Canada

Quick facts

GHRP-2 — for sale in Canada

What is GHRP-2?

Evidence at a glance

Pharmacology

Identity and chemistry

Storage and stability

Research indications

Research protocols

Interactions and stacking in research

Reconstitution and handling

Side effects and safety signals

Regulatory status in Canada

Further reading

GHRP-2 FAQ

Research references