- subcutaneous
Hexarelin
Examorelin (Hexarelin, EP-23905)
Hexarelin at a glance
Not on either FDA listHow studies gave it
Injected into the fat under the skin
Evidence on this page
3 peer-reviewed papers, published 1994 to 2014
FDA compounding lists
It appears on neither of the two FDA compounding tables.
What it is
A synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that acts as a potent agonist of the GHS-R1a receptor. Hexarelin has been studied in Phase II human clinical trials for GH-releasing activity across multiple dose-response studies and is discussed in the research literature for its unique dual-receptor pharmacology — binding both GHS-R1a and the CD36 scavenger receptor, mediating GH-independent cardioprotective effects.
It is discussed in biohacking communities in the context of GH optimization and recovery, though its pronounced GHS-R desensitization with chronic use limits practical cycle duration.
Published research
Hexarelin has been studied in multiple human dose-response trials (Imbimbo et al. 1994, PMID 7957536; Massoud et al. 1996, PMID 8954038), a 16-week chronic administration study examining pituitary-adrenal and prolactin effects (Rahim & Shalet 1999, PMID 10341859), and cardiovascular research demonstrating GH-independent cardioprotective effects via CD36 receptor binding (Mao et al. 2014, PMID 25278975).
It is widely regarded as the most potent GHRP in terms of acute GH release amplitude. Its desensitization liability, more pronounced than milder GHRPs like ipamorelin, limits practical cycle duration. Community dosing ranges are derived from clinical trial protocols and published literature.
What the terms on this page mean7 termsHide
- GH
- Growth hormone, released by the pituitary gland, involved in growth and tissue repair.
- peptide
- A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
- agonist
- A molecule that binds a receptor and switches it on.
- receptor
- A docking point on a cell. A molecule that fits it can switch a process on or off inside that cell.
- Phase 2
- A mid-size trial testing whether the substance does anything useful.
- clinical trial
- A study that tests something in people under a written plan, with results recorded.
- PMID
- The identifier PubMed gives a paper. It is what makes a citation checkable.
Compounding status
Not on either FDA list- FDA listing
- Hexarelin appears on neither FDA's category 2 table nor its table of withdrawn nominations.
- What that means
- Absence from both lists is not permission to compound. Section 503A allows a bulk drug substance only where a USP or NF monograph exists, or the substance is a component of an FDA-approved drug product, or it appears on the 503A bulks list.
Source: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks, FDA. Content current as of 2026-04-22; read 2026-09-05. This describes what a compounding pharmacy may supply. It is not advice about your own use.
Also given subcutaneous
- HumaninHumanin (HN) — Mitochondrial-Derived PeptideNot on either FDA list
- IGF-1 DESdes(1-3) Insulin-like Growth Factor-1Not on either FDA list
- IGF-1 LR3Long R3 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1Not on either FDA list
- IpamorelinIpamorelin AcetateFDA category 2
- KisspeptinKisspeptin-10 / Kisspeptin-54 (Metastin)FDA category 2
- KPVLysine-Proline-Valine (α-MSH C-terminal tripeptide)Nomination withdrawn
Where this came from3 referencesHide
Each one was resolved at PubMed and confirmed to be the work this page cites. Author, title, journal and year come from the PubMed record, not from the page text.
- Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin in humans. A dose-response study
Imbimbo BP, et al.. European journal of clinical pharmacology (1994). PMID 7957536.
- Hexarelin-induced growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin release: a dose-response study
Massoud AF, Hindmarsh PC, Brook CG. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (1996). PMID 8954038.
- The cardiovascular action of hexarelin
Mao Y, Tokudome T, Kishimoto I. Journal of geriatric cardiology : JGC (2014). PMID 25278975.
About this page
Reviewed 2026-08-11. This page reports what published studies and FDA documents say. It carries no dose, cycle length or stack, and it does not tell you whether a substance is appropriate for you. Side-effect reports circulating on forums are self-reported rather than measured, so they are not republished here.
See the editorial policy for how corrections are handled.