Hexarelin
Also called examorelin, EP 23905 and His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH21, 12
Hexarelin is a lab-made 6-amino-acid peptide that makes the pituitary release a burst of growth hormone. It is a close cousin of GHRP-6.1 Studies in the 1990s showed it raises growth hormone in people after a shot, a nasal spray or a pill.3 But in older adults who injected it for 16 weeks, the growth hormone response fell by about half, and body fat, lean mass and bone density didn't change.4 Single doses briefly raised heart pumping in a few small studies.6, 7 It was never developed into an approved drug that we could find, and there is no legal way to buy it in the US.
Often grouped with ipamorelin and MK-677. See the peptide regulatory tracker for how they compare legally.
In this guide
At a glance
| What it is | A synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide of 6 amino acids. GHRP-6 with one tryptophan given an extra methyl group1 |
|---|---|
| Taken | Mostly by injection in studies. Very little of a nasal or oral dose is absorbed, so far larger amounts were needed3 |
| Best evidence | A 16-week study in 12 older adults. Growth hormone response faded; IGF-1, fat, lean mass and bone didn't change4, 5 |
| No human evidence for | Muscle, fat loss, recovery, anti-aging or heart repair |
| Main risks | Raised cortisol. No long-term safety data. FDA flags immune and blood sugar risks for its close relative GHRP-66, 9 |
| Legal status | Not approved. No legal route for pharmacy compounding. Not in the 2026 HHS peptide policy10, 11 |
| In sport | Banned at all times (WADA S2.2.4)12 |
| Typical cost | No legal source to price |
Where to get it
MoveWell sells nothing and earns nothing from this page. There is no legal way to buy hexarelin in the US. Why
Molecular structure
A short chain of 6 amino acids ending in an amide. Two are in the mirror-image D form, and one tryptophan carries an extra methyl group, the change that sets it apart from GHRP-6.
D-2-methyl-tryptophan (residue 2)
- Sequence
- His-D-2-Me-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
- Length
- 6 amino acids
- Formula
- C47H58N12O6
- Weight
- 887.1 g/mol
- CAS
- 140703-51-1
- FDA UNII
- 09QF37C617
Sequence, CAS and UNII from the US National Library of Medicine.1 Drawn from the PubChem structure; formula and weight computed from it.2
What it is
Hexarelin belongs to the growth hormone-releasing peptides, or GHRPs, a family of small synthetic peptides that trigger growth hormone release. The National Library of Medicine describes it as GHRP-6 with its D-tryptophan replaced by a 2-methyl version, and as more potent and more stable than GHRP-6.1
The first published human study, in 1994, found that an IV dose released about twice as much growth hormone as the body's own releasing hormone, GHRH. Roughly 77% of an injection under the skin reached the blood, compared with about 5% of a nasal dose and 0.3% of an oral dose.3
It was tested as a diagnostic test for growth hormone deficiency in children, where it was no more specific than standard tests.8 We found no approval for any use in any country.
How it works
- Growth hormone pulse. One dose raises growth hormone, and higher doses raise it more.3 WADA classes it with the growth hormone-releasing peptides.12
- Cortisol. In healthy men it also raised cortisol, which growth hormone itself did not.6
- Fading response. With twice-daily shots, the growth hormone response was lower from week 1, significantly so by week 4, and about 45% below baseline at week 16. It recovered after a 4-week break.4, 5
- Heart. In 7 healthy men, one IV dose raised the heart's ejection fraction from 64% to 71%, while growth hormone didn't. In 5 people with severe heart weakness from coronary disease it rose from 23% to 26%, but not in 8 with dilated cardiomyopathy. The authors think the effect doesn't depend on growth hormone.6, 7
Evidence map
Each claimed use is graded separately. A grade measures how much evidence exists, not whether the result was good news.
Consistent in several small human studies. A lab number, and the effect fades with daily use
One 16-week study of 12 older adults. No change in fat, lean mass or bone density
Single IV doses in 5 to 8 people per group. A short rise in pumping, no study of outcomes
No human study found. User reports only
Scale: 5 FDA-approved, 4 strong human, 3 limited human, 2 animal or lab only, 1 anecdotal. Heart function is graded 2 because the human data are single doses in a handful of people.
Key studies
| Use | Study | Model | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth hormone | Ghigo 19943 | Human n=12 healthy | Single doses by IV, injection, nose and mouth. IV gave about twice the response of GHRH |
| Long-term use | Rahim 19984, 5 | Human n=12, older adults | Twice-daily injections for 16 weeks. GH response down about 45% by week 16, back to normal after a break. IGF-1, fat, lean mass and bone unchanged |
| Heart | Bisi 19996 | Human n=7 healthy men | One IV dose. Ejection fraction 64% to 71%; cortisol rose. Growth hormone alone did neither |
| Heart failure | Imazio 20027 | Human n=13 patients | One IV dose. Ejection fraction rose in ischemic, not dilated, cardiomyopathy. No longer-term follow-up |
| Diagnosis | Guzzaloni 19998 | Human n=27 children | As a test for growth hormone deficiency, no more specific than standard tests |
None of these studies tested muscle, strength, fat loss or athletic performance. We found no trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.
By goal
Pick your goal to see what the evidence supports.
| Goal | Human evidence | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle | One 16-week study, n=12 | Lean mass unchanged |
| Fat loss | One 16-week study, n=12 | Body fat unchanged |
| Heart | Single IV doses, n=7 to 13 | Brief rise in pumping in some groups |
| Bone | One 16-week study, n=12 | Bone density unchanged |
How it's used
No dose is approved for any use, and we don't give one. In studies it was given by doctors as single IV doses, or as twice-daily injections under the skin for up to 16 weeks, with blood tests along the way.3, 4 Buying it online skips all of that.
Side effects and who should avoid it
- Cortisol. Hexarelin raised the stress hormone cortisol in healthy men.6
- Diminishing effect. The growth hormone response weakens with repeated use, which may tempt people to take more.4
- Its relatives. FDA put GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 on its list of compounding ingredients with significant safety risks. For GHRP-6 it cites possible immune reactions and effects on cortisol and blood sugar. For GHRP-2 it notes serious adverse events, including deaths in critically ill study subjects, without proven cause.9 No such review exists for hexarelin.
- No long-term data. The longest study we found lasted 16 weeks in 12 people.4
- Unknown products. Online vials are sold as "research use only," outside FDA's drug quality rules.13
- Athletes. Banned at all times.12
- Pregnancy, children, cancer. No safety data. Anything that raises growth hormone is a concern with active cancer.
Compared with
| Hexarelin | GHRP-6 | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | GH-releasing peptide | GH-releasing peptide | GH secretagogue |
| FDA safety list | Not listed | Category 2 (outsourcing facilities) since Sep 2023 | Category 2 (outsourcing facilities) since Sep 2023 |
| FDA advisers | No vote found | No vote found | Voted against, Oct 2024 |
| HHS policy, Oct 2026 | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| In sport | Banned, S2.2.4 | Banned, S2.2.4 | Banned, S2.2.4 |
Sources: FDA Category 2 list,9 advisory committee minutes,14 HHS Appendix B,11 WADA 2026 list.12 See our ipamorelin guide, and tesamorelin, the one growth hormone releaser with an FDA approval.
Stacks
Some online guides pair hexarelin with a GHRH analog such as CJC-1295 or sermorelin, on the idea that the two signals add up. We found no study of hexarelin with either. Both CJC-1295 and sermorelin are banned in sport, like hexarelin.12
Myths vs evidence
All options
MoveWell sells nothing and has no commercial link on this page. Checked November 1, 2026
| Route | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription drug | None | Not approved for any use that we found |
| Compounding pharmacy | No legal route | Not in an FDA-approved drug and not on FDA's 503A bulks list. Not in the HHS policy10, 11 |
| Telehealth | None found | Superpower, which offers compounded peptides, doesn't list it15 |
| Clinical trial | None found | Web search only |
Research use only vials
We don't list sellers. In August 2026 FDA warned five peptide sellers that a "research use only" label doesn't excuse products clearly meant for people.13
Legal status history
Newest first.
- Current statusNot approved. No legal route for pharmacy compounding. Not covered by the HHS peptide policy. Banned in sport.10, 11, 12
- No FDA review or trial scheduled that we found.
- HHS enforcement discretion policy covers six peptides. Hexarelin is not one of them.11
- FDA warns five online peptide sellers that "research use only" labels don't make products legal.13
- WADA's 2026 list names examorelin (hexarelin) under S2.2.4, banned at all times.12
- FDA places its relatives GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 on the significant-safety-risk list for outsourcing facilities. Hexarelin isn't listed.9
- A 16-week study shows the growth hormone response fades with daily use.4
- First published human study.3
FAQ
Is hexarelin legal in the US?
It isn't approved, and pharmacies have no legal route to compound it. It isn't in the 2026 HHS peptide policy. Products sold online as "research use only" aren't legal for people.
Does it build muscle?
Not shown. In older adults, 16 weeks of injections didn't change lean mass, fat or bone density.
Is it good for the heart?
Single IV doses briefly raised heart pumping in small studies. That doesn't show any lasting benefit, and no outcome study exists.
What dose do people use?
No dose is approved for any use. We don't give one.
Can athletes use it?
No. WADA lists it as examorelin under S2.2.4, banned at all times.
How is it different from GHRP-6?
It's GHRP-6 with an extra methyl group on one tryptophan. The National Library of Medicine describes it as more potent and more stable.
Is it the same as tesamorelin?
No. Tesamorelin copies growth hormone-releasing hormone and is FDA-approved for one use. Hexarelin is a different kind of molecule, a growth hormone-releasing peptide, and was never approved.
References
15 sources, with links
- US National Library of Medicine. MeSH: hexarelin (supplementary concept C086184). meshb.nlm.nih.gov
- PubChem CID 6918297, hexarelin (via PubChemLite). Link
- Ghigo E, Arvat E, Gianotti L, et al. Growth hormone-releasing activity of hexarelin, a new synthetic hexapeptide, after intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral administration in man. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994;78(3):693–698. PMID 8126144
- Rahim A, O'Neill PA, Shalet SM. Growth hormone status during long-term hexarelin therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998;83(5):1644–1649. PMID 9589671
- Rahim A, Shalet SM. Does desensitization to hexarelin occur? Growth Horm IGF Res 1998;8(Suppl B):141–143. Index record
- Bisi G, et al. Acute cardiovascular and hormonal effects of GH and hexarelin, a synthetic GH-releasing peptide, in humans. J Endocrinol Invest 1999;22:266–272. PMID 10342360
- Imazio M, et al. GH-independent cardiotropic activities of hexarelin in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction due to dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Eur J Heart Fail 2002;4(2):185–191. PMID 11959048
- Guzzaloni G, Grugni G, Morabito F. Hexarelin-induced growth hormone response in short stature. J Endocrinol Invest 1999;22(5):360–368. DOI 10.1007/BF03343574
- FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (current as of Apr 22, 2026). fda.gov
- FDA. Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A of the FD&C Act (updated May 14, 2026). fda.gov
- HHS. 503A peptide enforcement discretion policy, Appendix B (Oct 28, 2026). hhs.gov
- World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List, S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors (copy hosted by SEGAS). PDF
- ArentFox Schiff. RUO-ined: five peptide vendors learn research use only is not a legal strategy (Sep 18, 2026; on FDA warning letters of Aug 24, 2026). Link
- FDA. Final summary minutes of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting, Oct 29, 2024. fda.gov
- Superpower. Peptides page (checked Nov 1, 2026; hexarelin not listed). Link
This page is for education and is not medical advice. Hexarelin is not approved for any use. Talk to a clinician before taking anything that changes your hormones.