Ipamorelin Dosing Protocol
Based on available research evidence, ipamorelin should be initiated at 100-500 μg administered subcutaneously three times daily, with no established titration schedule required for standard use. 1, 2
Initial Dosing Recommendations
Standard Starting Dose
- Begin with 100 μg subcutaneously three times daily (approximately every 8 hours), which has demonstrated efficacy in counteracting glucocorticoid-induced bone loss and increasing bone mineral content in research studies 1, 2
- Alternative dosing of 500 μg/kg/day administered continuously via subcutaneous infusion has shown effectiveness in increasing bone mineral content, though this requires pump delivery 2
Dosing Frequency
- Three times daily administration is the established regimen based on the pharmacokinetic profile of ipamorelin, allowing for pulsatile growth hormone release that mimics physiologic secretion patterns 1
- Continuous subcutaneous infusion via osmotic minipump at 0.5 mg/kg/day represents an alternative delivery method used in research settings 2
Dose Range and Escalation
Therapeutic Range
- Research demonstrates efficacy across a dose range of 0.01-1 mg/kg administered subcutaneously, with higher doses (1 mg/kg) showing superior effects on gastrointestinal motility and metabolic parameters 3
- For postoperative ileus treatment, single doses of 1 mg/kg showed immediate effects, while repetitive dosing at 0.1-1 mg/kg four times daily at 3-hour intervals produced sustained benefits 3
No Formal Titration Required
- Unlike many peptide therapies, ipamorelin does not require gradual dose escalation based on available evidence—the therapeutic dose can be initiated directly 1, 2, 3
- Treatment duration in research studies ranged from acute single-dose administration to chronic treatment for 12 weeks (3 months) without dose adjustments 1, 2
Clinical Considerations
Treatment Duration
- Chronic administration for 12 weeks (3 months) has demonstrated sustained efficacy for bone mineral content increases and metabolic effects without tachyphylaxis 1, 2
- Short-term use (2-4 days with four doses daily) is effective for acute indications such as postoperative ileus 3
Route of Administration
- Subcutaneous injection is the standard route, with research demonstrating consistent bioavailability and efficacy 1, 2, 3
- Intravenous bolus administration has been studied at doses of 0.01-1 mg/kg for acute applications 3
Important Caveats
Lack of FDA Approval
- Ipamorelin is not FDA-approved for clinical use, and all dosing recommendations are derived from preclinical research studies in animal models 1, 2, 3, 4
- Human pharmacokinetic and safety data are limited, making extrapolation from animal studies necessary but imperfect 5
Monitoring Considerations
- While no specific monitoring protocols exist in the literature, assessment of growth hormone-related effects (IGF-1 levels, metabolic parameters) would be prudent given the mechanism of action 1, 4
- Watch for potential adverse effects related to growth hormone secretagogue activity, though ipamorelin demonstrates high selectivity for growth hormone release with minimal effects on cortisol or prolactin 5
Drug Interactions
- Consider potential interactions with glucocorticoids, as ipamorelin has been specifically studied for counteracting glucocorticoid-induced catabolic effects 1
- The somatotroph response may be enhanced when combined with GHRH, suggesting potential synergistic effects with other growth hormone-releasing agents 4