GHRP-2 vs Hexarelin

Hexarelin is a hexapeptide GHRP with the strongest acute GH response of the class and a separate binding site on the cardiac receptor CD36. GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) has been used in Japan as a diagnostic GH-stimulation agent, while some hexarelin studies report the GH response weakening with prolonged use.

HPLC tested · JanoshikJanoshik CertificatesNationwide DeliveryResearch Only

🧪

GHRP-2

A synthetic hexapeptide growth-hormone-releasing peptide that acts on the ghrelin receptor and is used in some countries as a diagnostic test of GH reserve.

BEST STUDIED FOR

GH secretagogues

Read the cited profile →

🧪

Hexarelin

A potent synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hexapeptide with additional, receptor-mediated actions studied in cardiovascular models.

BEST STUDIED FOR

GH secretagogues

Read the cited profile →

SIDE BY SIDE

	GHRP-2	Hexarelin
The key difference	Widely used diagnostic GH secretagogue	Most potent GHRP; CD36 cardiac binding
Class	GH secretagogues	GH secretagogues
Mechanism	GHRP-2 (D-Ala-D-β-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist with no structural homology to GHRH.	Hexarelin activates the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) and releases GH.
Status	Used clinically in Japan as a GH-reserve stimulation test; otherwise unapproved. Detected and banned in sport.	Preclinical and small human studies; not an approved medicine.
Reported safety signals	Diagnostic-test literature reports it as well tolerated in single-dose testing. It is not selective: secondary rises in cortisol and prolactin are documented across the GHRP class.	Like other GHRPs it can raise cortisol and prolactin; attenuation of the GH response with repeated exposure has been reported. No long-term human safety data.
A key study	A development profile of pralmorelin, a synthetic growth-hormone-releasing peptide developed by Polygen and Tulane University. (Drugs R D 2004, PMID 15230633)	Reviews evidence that hexarelin, via peripheral GHSR in heart and vessels, may have direct cardiovascular effects. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2014, PMID 25278975)

WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH

Hexarelin is the research choice for cardioprotection questions tied to CD36; GHRP-2 for standard GH-secretagogue models. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.

REFERENCES (PUBMED)

[GHRP-2] Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LN — Drugs R D 2004. PMID 15230633
[GHRP-2] Clinical Usefulness of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Test for Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorder — J Endocr Soc 2022. PMID 35795807
[GHRP-2] Determination of growth hormone secretagogue pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry — Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2010. PMID 20552695
[Hexarelin] The cardiovascular action of hexarelin — J Geriatr Cardiol 2014. PMID 25278975
[Hexarelin] The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues — Sex Med Rev 2018. PMID 28400207
[Hexarelin] Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway — Eur J Med Res 2023. PMID 37710348

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What is the difference between GHRP-2 and Hexarelin?

What is the regulatory status of GHRP-2 and Hexarelin?

GHRP-2: Used clinically in Japan as a GH-reserve stimulation test; otherwise unapproved. Detected and banned in sport. Hexarelin: Preclinical and small human studies; not an approved medicine.

What safety signals have been reported?

GHRP-2: Diagnostic-test literature reports it as well tolerated in single-dose testing. It is not selective: secondary rises in cortisol and prolactin are documented across the GHRP class. Hexarelin: Like other GHRPs it can raise cortisol and prolactin; attenuation of the GH response with repeated exposure has been reported. No long-term human safety data.

Which studies is this comparison based on?

For GHRP-2: “Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LN” (PMID 15230633); “Clinical Usefulness of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide-2 Test for Hypothalamic-Pituitary Disorder” (PMID 35795807); “Determination of growth hormone secretagogue pralmorelin (GHRP-2) and its metabolite in human urine by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry” (PMID 20552695). For Hexarelin: “The cardiovascular action of hexarelin” (PMID 25278975); “The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues” (PMID 28400207); “Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway” (PMID 37710348).