Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Informational only. Not medical advice.INFORMATIONAL PLATFORM ONLY — NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT
Head-to-head comparison of GHRP-2 and Tesamorelin — mechanism, side effects, legal status, and pricing.
GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates pituitary growth hormone release. It is approved in Japan (Kaken Pharmaceutical, 2004) as a single-dose diagnostic agent for GH deficiency, but is NOT FDA-approved in the US and is research-only. Unlike ipamorelin, GHRP-2 is non-selective and modestly raises ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin.
Tesamorelin (Egrifta / Egrifta SV) is a stabilized analog of human GHRH(1-44) with a trans-3-hexenoic acid moiety at the N-terminus that protects against protease degradation. FDA-approved in November 2010 for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy, it is the only FDA-approved GHRH analog for this indication. Off-label use for general body composition and visceral fat reduction in non-HIV populations is common but outside the approved label.
GHRP-2
Tesamorelin
Category
Legal Status
Mechanism
Half-life
Side Effects
COA-verified vendors · trust score ≥70 required · single-vial price — bulk/bundle deals may be lower
GHRP-2
Tesamorelin
COA corpus from Disclosed Labs — independently tested batches only.
GHRP-2
13
COAs
99.3%
Avg purity
6
Labs
Tesamorelin
175
COAs
99.5%
Avg purity
14
Labs
GHRP-2 and Tesamorelin are both among peptides under FDA review for the Category 1 (503A) list; if added, they would require a prescription to be compounded by registered 503A/503B pharmacies — they are not yet authorized. In April 2026 the FDA removed 12 peptides from Category 2, which does not place them on the Category 1 list or authorize compounding. The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee is advisory and meets July 23–24, 2026 to review nominations and make recommendations to the FDA.
GHRP-2 is approved in Japan (Kaken Pharmaceutical, 2004) as pralmorelin for single-dose diagnostic GH-stimulation testing; Chihara et al. (2007, PMID 17609397) validated a 100 mcg IV dose with a peak-GH <15 mcg/L cut-off against the insulin tolerance test. Arvat et al. (1997, PMID 9285939) showed GHRP-2 raises GH, prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol in healthy men, with hormonal effects similar to hexarelin. Laferrère et al. (2005, PMID 15699539) demonstrated that IV GHRP-2 significantly increases food intake in healthy men, consistent with its ghrelin-like activity. Pralmorelin review: Drugs R D 2004 (PMID 15230633). GHRP-2 is more potent than ipamorelin for raw GH output but is non-selective; grey-market anti-aging, muscle-gain, and performance use is not clinically validated in the US.
Key references
FDA approval (NDA 022505) was based on two Phase 3 trials reported by Falutz et al. (NEJM, 2007; PMID 18057338) and the pooled 52-week safety extension, showing ~15-18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue with improved triglycerides in HIV patients with abdominal fat accumulation. Stanley et al. (JAMA, 2014; PMID 25038357) demonstrated concurrent reductions in visceral and liver fat (NAFLD). Baker et al. (Arch Neurol, 2012; PMID 22869065) reported favorable effects on executive function in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment at 1 mg/day for 20 weeks — note this cognition signal was in MCI / healthy older adults, not specifically APOE4-positive individuals. Current label dose is 1.4 mg SubQ daily (Egrifta SV); legacy Egrifta used 2 mg/day. Off-label use for general body composition in non-HIV populations is common but outside the FDA label.
Key references
GHRP-2 and Tesamorelin are both in the Performance category and may have overlapping mechanisms. Researchers should review both profiles carefully, understand the mechanisms of action, and monitor the relevant biomarkers when combining compounds in the same class. As always, consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any decisions about combining research compounds.
This platform provides informational tools only, not medical advice. This comparison is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed provider.
Contraindications
Lab Testing
Disclosed Labs