Ghrelin-receptor / GH secretagogue

GHRP-2

Clinical

Also known as Pralmorelin, KP-102

The GH-releasing peptide that became a diagnostic test in Japan.

Cited sources: 2
Human-tested claims: 2 of 2
Best evidence: Tier 2 · Clinical
Status: Approved abroad

A synthetic hexapeptide from the growth-hormone-releasing-peptide family that acts on the ghrelin receptor. It produces a strong GH pulse in children and adults, strong enough that Japan uses it as a stimulation test for GH deficiency. It has never been approved as a treatment anywhere.

GH-axissecretagogueapproved-abroad

How it works

GHRP-2 is a ghrelin-receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist that acts directly on pituitary somatotrophs and on the hypothalamus. Given with GHRH the two signals are synergistic, which is the physiological basis for the secretagogue-plus-GHRH combinations now sold in grey markets.

Sequence: D-Ala-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂A hexapeptide with three D-amino acids and a naphthylalanine, so no one-letter form applies.

What it's studied for

One claim per card, each with its own tier and source. Tiers 1 and 2 are human data. Tiers 3 and 4 are not yet.

Produced GH responses in children equal to GHRH and synergistic with it; intranasal doses were effective and well tolerated.
Clinical
[1]Pihoker et al., 1995 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)(opens in a new tab)
As a stimulation test, produced higher peak GH than the insulin tolerance test with high sensitivity and specificity for severe adult GH deficiency.
Clinical
[2]Kinoshita et al., 2013 (Endocr J)(opens in a new tab)

Safety & limitations

Single diagnostic doses have been well tolerated in children and adults, including intranasally. Nothing is known about long-term or repeated use, and secretagogues of this family also stimulate ACTH and cortisol.

[1]Pihoker et al., 1995 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)

Regulatory & legal status

Approved abroad

Used in Japan as a GH stimulation test (pralmorelin) for diagnosing adult GH deficiency. Not approved as a treatment anywhere, and not approved in any form by the FDA or EMA.

[2]Kinoshita et al., 2013 (Endocr J)

Frequently asked

Is GHRP-2 approved?

Only as a one-off diagnostic test in Japan. There is no approved therapeutic use of GHRP-2 anywhere, and the diagnostic record says nothing about what repeated dosing does.

References

Written by Twenty Residues editorial. Medical review: pending; a named reviewer is being assigned.

Last updated October 1, 2026.

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Update history

2026-10-01 — Entry added.