GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin) (KP-102)
Synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide (ghrelin receptor agonist), developed by Kaken in Japan as a diagnostic agent for pituitary GH function; FDA compounding Category 2 (immunogenicity; serious adverse events reported).
60-Second Scientific Briefing
GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a small synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin and strongly stimulates growth hormone release from the pituitary. It was developed by Kaken in Japan as a diagnostic agent for pituitary growth hormone function; it is not approved in the US. The FDA keeps GHRP-2 in its Category 2 compounding list because of immunogenicity risk and reports of serious adverse events (causality not established). It is prohibited in sport.
What is GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin)?
Pharmacological Classification & Molecular IdentityGHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a small synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide from a series developed at Tulane University; it mimics the action of ghrelin. [1] Drugs R D, 2004 ↗
Verified Chemical & Regulatory Registry Identifiers
Mechanism of Action & Receptor Targets
Biological Pathway and Target BindingReceptor Selectivity: Activates the growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor and markedly increases growth hormone release in healthy people regardless of sex, obesity or age; the response is much lower in growth hormone deficiency, which is the basis of its diagnostic use. [1] Drugs R D, 2004 ↗
Regulatory & FDA Approval Status
Legal and Regulatory ClassificationsNot approved in the US. Kaken developed pralmorelin in Japan as a diagnostic agent for hypothalamo-pituitary function (a 2004 drug profile described it as awaiting Japanese approval for that use). The FDA lists GHRP-2 (injectable and nasal) in Category 2 of its compounding-risk list, citing immunogenicity, unnatural amino acid complexity and reports of serious adverse events whose causality is not established. Prohibited at all times by WADA (S2.2.4). [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗ [2] World Anti-Doping Agency, 2024 ↗ [3] Drugs R D, 2004 ↗
GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin) is not approved for commercial sale, prescription therapy, or compounded medication distribution. It exists strictly within authorized scientific and clinical research frameworks.
Human Evidence & Clinical Trials
Clinical Study Readouts and Evidence SynthesesHuman studies are mainly physiological and diagnostic: GHRP-2 was studied as a test for growth hormone deficiency, with a GH-peak cut-off separating deficient patients from healthy controls (drug profile 2004). Studies of repeated administration for 7–30 days in younger and older adults (1996) examined how GHRP-2 and GHRH interact and whether the response desensitises. No trial has shown benefit for muscle, recovery or anti-ageing. [1] Drugs R D, 2004 ↗ [2] J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996 ↗
Clinical Evidence
Human studies are mainly physiological and diagnostic: GHRP-2 was studied as a test for growth hormone deficiency, with a GH-peak cut-off separating deficient patients from healthy controls (drug profile 2004). Studies of repeated administration for 7–30 days in younger and older adults (1996) examined how GHRP-2 and GHRH interact and whether the response desensitises. No trial has shown benefit for muscle, recovery or anti-ageing.
Safety Profile & Clinical Limitations
Documented Adverse Events and Known UncertaintiesThe FDA cites a risk of immunogenicity and reports of serious adverse events, without established causality. No long-term safety dataset exists. [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗
Whether the growth hormone response desensitises with repeated use depends on dose and frequency (1996); long-term safety and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown. [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗ [2] J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996 ↗
Dose Approval Status
Commercial Dosing Status and Policy DirectivesNo dose is approved or established. Amounts used in the published human studies are part of each study's design and are described in the linked papers; they are not a recommendation. [1] J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996 ↗
Under Egypt Peptides medical governance policies, no personal dosages, titration intervals, cycles, stacking recommendations, or self-injection instructions may be provided for unapproved investigational compounds. Clinical study protocols represent controlled experimental research parameters exclusively.
What is Known vs. What is Unknown
Evidence Comparison and Clinical Evidence Boundaries✓ Confirmed Scientific Evidence
- GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a small synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide from a series developed at Tulane University; it mimics the action of ghrelin.
- Targets & Selectivity: Activates the growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor and markedly increases growth hormone release in healthy people regardless of sex, obesity or age; the response is much lower in growth hormone deficiency, which is the basis of its diagnostic use.
- Human studies are mainly physiological and diagnostic: GHRP-2 was studied as a test for growth hormone deficiency, with a GH-peak cut-off separating deficient patients from healthy controls (drug profile 2004). Studies of repeated administration for 7–30 days in younger and older adults (1996) examined how GHRP-2 and GHRH interact and whether the response desensitises. No trial has shown benefit for muscle, recovery or anti-ageing.
- Safety considerations: The FDA cites a risk of immunogenicity and reports of serious adverse events, without established causality. No long-term safety dataset exists.
? Unknown / Under Ongoing Investigation
- Whether the growth hormone response desensitises with repeated use depends on dose and frequency (1996); long-term safety and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown.
Verified Questions & Answers
10 Verified scientific answers with permanent anchor keysGHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a small synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin and strongly stimulates growth hormone release. It was developed in Japan as a diagnostic agent and is not approved in the US.
- Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN (Drugs R D, 2004-01-01)
It activates the ghrelin (growth hormone secretagogue) receptor and sharply increases growth hormone release in healthy people; the response is much smaller in growth hormone deficiency.
- Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN (Drugs R D, 2004-01-01)
No. It is not approved in the US, and the FDA keeps GHRP-2 in Category 2 of its compounding-risk list, citing immunogenicity and reports of serious adverse events.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
- The Prohibited List (World Anti-Doping Agency, 2024-01-01)
- Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN (Drugs R D, 2004-01-01)
Human studies are physiological and diagnostic: it was developed as a test for growth hormone deficiency, and short repeated-dosing studies (7–30 days, 1996) examined how it interacts with GHRH. No trial has shown benefit for muscle, recovery or anti-ageing.
- Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN (Drugs R D, 2004-01-01)
- GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans (J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996-01-01)
The FDA cites a risk of immunogenicity and reports of serious adverse events, without established causality. No long-term safety data exist.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
Whether the response fades with repeated use depends on dose and frequency; long-term safety and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
- GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans (J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996-01-01)
No dose is approved or established. Amounts used in the published human studies are part of each study's design and are described in the linked papers; they are not a recommendation.
- GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans (J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 1996-01-01)
There is no approved product label, so no official storage instructions exist.
Yes. GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is prohibited at all times under section S2.2.4 (growth hormone secretagogues and releasing factors) of the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.
- WADA Prohibited List (World Anti-Doping Agency)
Egypt Peptides publishes reviewed scientific reference monographs for documentation and research. The site does not give individual medical advice, preparation or injection instructions, combination protocols or off-label use instructions. Decisions about any medicine belong to the treating physician.
- Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN (Drugs R D, 2004-01-01)
Authoritative Sources & Literature Registry
Regulatory dossiers, clinical trial registries, and published studiesCertain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks ↗
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks
The Prohibited List ↗
https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN ↗
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15230633/
GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans ↗
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8887169/