What is the difference between IGF-1 and Ipamorelin?

IGF-1: Binds IGF-1R with high affinity, activating PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways promoting protein synthesis, satellite cell activation, and glucose uptake. Ipamorelin: Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates dose-dependent GH release with a clean hormonal profile.

Is IGF-1 FDA approved?

IGF-1 is FDA approved (FDA status current as of 2005-08-30). This regulatory status is provided for research and educational context only.

How is IGF-1 administered in research settings?

In research settings, IGF-1 is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intramuscular routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Ipamorelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Ipamorelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›IGF-1 vs Ipamorelin

Peptide Comparison

IGF-1 vs Ipamorelin

Name: IGF-1 vs Ipamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.

IGF-1

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1

PerformanceFDA ApprovedResearch Only

21 providers listed

Full IGF-1 profile →

Ipamorelin

NNC 26-0161

PerformanceUnder clinical reviewResearch Only

Half-life: 2 hours

460 providers listed

Full Ipamorelin profile →

Bottom line

IGF-1 is FDA-approved, while Ipamorelin is banned from compounding — the clearest structural difference between them.

Quick Verdict

IGF-1

Evidence

Emerging Clinical

Half-life

—

Ipamorelin

Evidence

Emerging Clinical

Half-life

2 hours

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Further along in FDA review	IGF-1
More provider options (21 vs 460)	Ipamorelin

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

IGF-1

Ipamorelin

Mechanism Family

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

—

2 hours

FDA Status

approved

Under clinical review

Admin Routes

subcutaneous, intramuscular

subcutaneous

Availability

Research Only

Providers

21 listed

460 listed

FDA Update

Aug 2005

Under clinical review

Avail. Notes

FDA-approved: Increlex (mecasermin, recombinant human IGF-1), Drugs@FDA application 021839.

Selective GH secretagogue pentapeptide. Phase 2 by Helsinn (postoperative ileus) discontinued for lack of efficacy. No FDA approval. Not on FDA 503A bulks list. Research chemical.

Research Evidence

IGF-1

Emerging ClinicalCohort study · 6 key studies · most recent 2026

Ipamorelin

Emerging ClinicalRCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

IGF-1

Cohort2007 · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Long-term treatment with recombinant insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in children with severe IGF-I deficie…

Cohort2026 · World J Microbiol Biotechnol

Efficient in vivo removal of solubility tag to improve the bacterial production of soluble, bioactive human I…

Cohort2026 · World J Microbiol Biotechnol

Efficient in vivo removal of solubility tag to improve the bacterial production of soluble, bioactive human I…

Cohort2026 · Pituitary

Speckle-tracking echocardiography reveals the synergistic impact of GH/IGF-1 excess and metabolic dysregulati…

+2 more

Ipamorelin

Review2026 · J Sports Med Phys Fitness

A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodyb…

Review2026 · Int J Mol Sci

Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications…

Review2026 · JBJS Rev

Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Imp…

RCT2014 · International Journal of Colorectal Disease

Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the managem…

+1 more

About IGF-1

Binds IGF-1R with high affinity, activating PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways promoting protein synthesis, satellite cell activation, and glucose uptake. Much shorter half-life (~15 min) than the LR3 analog (~20-30 hr) due to binding protein interactions.

Research Areas

muscle growthrecoveryfat metabolismtissue repairGH axis

About Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates dose-dependent GH release with a clean hormonal profile. Unlike GHRP-6 or hexarelin, it does not significantly stimulate appetite-related pathways or cortisol secretion at standard research doses. This selectivity makes it a frequently studied peptide for protocols where hormonal side-effect profiles are a consideration.

Research Areas

selective GH release without cortisol or prolactin co-stimulationpulsatile GH secretion — synergistic with CJC-1295 in combination protocolslean mass support and fat metabolism via GH/IGF-1 axis modulationsubcutaneous injection 100–300 mcg; minimal receptor desensitization vs other GHRPs

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

IGF-1

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Suggested Monitoring

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display monitoring guidance for this peptide.

Ipamorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Suggested Monitoring

IGF-1Fasting glucoseHbA1cInsulin

Research protocols routinely measure IGF-1 to track GH axis activity before and during use. Fasting glucose and insulin are monitored because GH elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity over time.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source

Used Together?

Ipamorelin

CJC-1295
Research suggests Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 may produce enhanced growth hormone release effects when combined. CJC-1295 provides sustained GHRH receptor stimulation while Ipamorelin provides pulsatile ghrelin receptor stimulation — complementary pathways studied in GH secretion research.
Sermorelin
Research suggests Sermorelin and Ipamorelin may produce complementary growth hormone release effects when combined. Sermorelin acts as a GHRH analogue via pituitary receptors, while Ipamorelin acts via ghrelin receptors — dual-pathway stimulation studied in GH optimization research.
GLP-1 agonists
Research notes metabolic pathway overlap between growth hormone-releasing peptides and GLP-1 agonists. Both compound classes influence metabolic signaling; limited research has studied their combined effects. Consult your prescriber before combining.

Price (per mg)

IGF-1

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

Ipamorelin

$6.65/mg

$5.35 – $8.82 range

40 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

IGF-1

21 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Ipamorelin

460 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More GH / IGF Axis Comparisons

Browse all peptides →

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated July 27, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). IGF-1 vs Ipamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/igf-1/ipamorelin

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