# Ipamorelin vs MK-677: How They Differ | PepVault

Source: https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/ipamorelin-vs-mk-677

Last updated: 2026-10-12

[Library](https://pepvault.app/peptides) [Comparisons](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare) Ipamorelin vs MK-677

Compared side by side

# Ipamorelin vs MK-677: how they differ

Reviewed October 2026 [How we check the library](https://pepvault.app/about#library)

## The short answer

Both raise growth hormone through the ghrelin receptor, but ipamorelin is injected 2–3 times a day, and MK-677 is a small molecule (not a peptide) taken by mouth once a day. MK-677’s effect on GH and IGF-1 lasts about a day; ipamorelin’s half-life is about 2 hours. Commonly reported: strong hunger on MK-677, and milder hunger on ipamorelin than on GHRP-6.

## Side by side

| Compared | [Ipamorelin](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ipamorelin) | [MK-677](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mk-677) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Category | Growth hormone | Growth hormone |
| Also known as | IPAM | Ibutamoren, Nutrobal, MK677, Ibutamoren Mesylate |
| What it is | Considered the 'cleanest' growth hormone stimulator: in animal studies it triggers the pituitary to release GH without raising cortisol, a side effect common with other GH peptides. | Not actually a peptide — it's a small molecule you take orally that mimics ghrelin to stimulate GH release. |
| How it works | Selective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist. In animal studies it released GH without raising cortisol or ACTH, and users report milder hunger than with GHRP-6. Considered one of the cleanest GH pulses available. | Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist and GH secretagogue. Stimulates GH and IGF-1 with little short-term effect on cortisol (a small rise over a year). Its long-lasting effect on GH and IGF-1 allows once-daily oral dosing. Significantly increases appetite and promotes deep sleep. MK-677 is a small molecule GH secretagogue, not a peptide — included because it is extremely commonly tracked alongside peptide GH protocols. |
| Commonly reported | Deeper sleep and vivid dreams first, then better recovery, skin quality and gradual body-composition changes, with milder hunger than GHRP-6. Its human data are a small GH study and phase 2 trials in surgical patients; it was never approved. | Strong hunger, especially in the first weeks; water retention with puffy hands and feet or tingling hands; and deeper sleep with vivid dreams, sometimes with morning grogginess. Once-daily dosing boosts natural GH pulses and keeps IGF-1 elevated. |
| Studied range | Research range: 200–300 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. | Research range: 10–25 mg, starting dose 10 mg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. |
| How often | 2–3x daily, best fasted or before bed | Daily, before bed |
| Half-life | ~2 hours (measured in healthy men, given IV) | ~24 hours (community estimate; no half-life has been published for people: in dogs it was 4–6 hours, and its effect on GH and IGF-1 lasts about a day) |
| Route | SubQ injection, IM injection | Oral |
| Typical run | Commonly 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off to avoid receptor desensitisation. Some run longer with breaks. | Continuous use common (oral convenience). Some cycle 3 months on / 1 month off. Long-term safety data limited. |
| Evidence | Moderate: animal studies + some human data | Moderate: animal studies + some human data |
| Common side effects | Headache, flushing, nausea, water retention, numbness/tingling | Increased appetite, water retention, lethargy, elevated fasting glucose, vivid dreams, carpal tunnel symptoms |

Typical run: Community practice — opinions vary. Not a clinical recommendation.

## Week by week

Each entry’s cards by day window, as the compound pages show them. Day 1 is the day you start it.

### Ipamorelin

- Day 1–14 Sleep is deepening
- Day 14–28 Recovery is noticeably faster
- Day 28–56 Body composition shifts showing up
- Day 56–84 Cycle-end + planned break

[Every card for ipamorelin, with its sources](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ipamorelin#weeks)

### MK-677

- Day 1–14 Hunger up, sleep deeper, water on
- Day 14–56 Lean mass is climbing
- Day 56–90 Check your labs — glucose is the watch item

[Every card for MK-677, with its sources](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mk-677#weeks)

## Together or one or the other

Ipamorelin and MK-677 are a common stack: MK-677 lists ipamorelin among its common stacks.

Community · MK-677

### Orals + injectables for broader GH coverage

Common stack: MK-677's once-daily dose keeps IGF-1 up and lifts GH pulses and troughs, while injected CJC-1295 adds GHRH-receptor stimulation on top. Ipamorelin works on the same receptor as MK-677, so that pairing overlaps. Commonly reported: the side effects add up, with more water retention and hunger than either alone.

## Questions people ask

### How long do ipamorelin and MK-677 last?

The half-life of ipamorelin is ~2 hours (measured in healthy men, given IV). The half-life of MK-677 is ~24 hours (community estimate; no half-life has been published for people: in dogs it was 4–6 hours, and its effect on GH and IGF-1 lasts about a day).

### How often are ipamorelin and MK-677 taken?

Ipamorelin: 2–3x daily, best fasted or before bed. Routes: SubQ injection, IM injection. MK-677: daily, before bed. Route: Oral.

### How are ipamorelin and MK-677 dosed in research?

The research range for ipamorelin is 200–300 mcg, with a 200 mcg starting dose. The research range for MK-677 is 10–25 mg, with a 10 mg starting dose. Studied in research — not a recommendation.

### What are the common side effects of ipamorelin and MK-677?

For ipamorelin, the library lists: headache, flushing, nausea, water retention, numbness/tingling. For MK-677: increased appetite, water retention, lethargy, elevated fasting glucose, vivid dreams, carpal tunnel symptoms.

### Are ipamorelin and MK-677 taken together?

Ipamorelin and MK-677 are a common stack: MK-677 lists ipamorelin among its common stacks. Common stack: MK-677's once-daily dose keeps IGF-1 up and lifts GH pulses and troughs, while injected CJC-1295 adds GHRH-receptor stimulation on top. Ipamorelin works on the same receptor as MK-677, so that pairing overlaps. Commonly reported: the side effects add up, with more water retention and hunger than either alone.

## Each one in full

- [Ipamorelin: dosage, half-life & reference guide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ipamorelin)
- [MK-677: dosage, half-life & reference guide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mk-677)
- [Ipamorelin dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/ipamorelin)
- [MK-677 dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/mk-677)

PepVault for iPhone

## Track either one in PepVault

Log every dose of ipamorelin or MK-677, with reminders on your schedule. 7 days free on the yearly plan for new subscribers.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6779318649?pt=129020030&ct=compound-vs-band&mt=8)

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## More comparisons

- [All peptide comparisons](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare)
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## The library

- [The peptide reference library](https://pepvault.app/peptides)
- [Growth hormone peptides](https://pepvault.app/peptides#growth-hormone)

## Free tools

- [The Dose Guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage)
- [Half-life & active level](https://pepvault.app/tools/peptide-half-life-calculator)
- [Reconstitution calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator)

PepVault is a research and tracking resource, not medical advice. Ranges are what studies used, never a dose for you. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; PepVault is independent of them.

PepVault is a private research and tracking tool, not medical advice. The information here is reference material from published literature and community use — always verify it and discuss any protocol with a qualified clinician before changing it.

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