Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Compound monograph · Growth-hormone axis

GHRP-2 — compound monograph

Growth-hormone secretagogue, ghrelin receptor agonist (hexapeptide). Approved. The Institute assesses 2 outcomes for this compound and grades the strongest at low certainty.

Document identifier
CEI-MN-026
Series
Compound monograph
Version
4.0
Published
17 Oct 2023
Last reviewed
17 Apr 2024
Next review
17 Apr 2026
Identifier
10.71829/cei.mono.26
Certainty
Low
Cycle
2023 Q4

§1Identification and status

§1.1Nomenclature

Preferred name
GHRP-2
Compound class
Growth-hormone secretagogue, ghrelin receptor agonist (hexapeptide)
Assessment series
Growth-hormone axis
Synonyms and codes
pralmorelin · KP-102 · GPA-748 · pralmorelin hydrochloride
Route as evaluated
Intravenous for the approved diagnostic use; subcutaneous in research contexts

§1.2Chemistry

Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]

CAS registry number
158861-67-7
Molecular formula
C45H55N9O6
Average mass
817.97
Monoisotopic mass
817.42
ATC classification
V04CD06

§1.3Sequence and structural notes

H-D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂

A hexapeptide secretagogue. Notably, pralmorelin holds a diagnostic marketing authorisation in Japan for the assessment of growth-hormone secretory reserve — one of very few compounds in the research-peptide category with any approval anywhere.

§1.4Assessment status

The Institute assesses GHRP-2 across 2 indications and grades the strongest of them at low certainty. Holds a marketing authorisation for at least one indication in at least one jurisdiction.

Distribution of certainty ratingsShare of assessed outcomes at each certainty level.2assessed outcomes
HighModerateLowVery low
Figure 1. Distribution of certainty ratings across the 2 outcomes the Institute assesses for GHRP-2. A rating attaches to a specific population, comparator and outcome and does not transfer between them.

Table 1. Assessed outcomes for GHRP-2, ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.

IndicationEffect as recordedCertaintyTrials
Growth hormone deficiency and growth-hormone secretagogue pharmacologyA peak growth hormone below 16 ng/mL after 100 µg intravenously supports severe adult growth-hormone deficiency in the approved Japanese diagnostic…Moderate1
Sarcopenia and lean-mass preservation during weight reductionNo randomised human evidence identified for a body-composition outcomeVery low0
Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table.

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.