Canada Peptide Guide
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Growth hormone

Ipamorelin

Not authorized in Canada Evidence 1/4
Ipamorelin peptide structure illustration (abstract amino-acid chain)
In short

A growth hormone-releasing peptide described in 1998 as the first selective GH secretagogue. Never approved; Health Canada lists it among seized unauthorized peptides.

Reviewed November 10, 2026 · 4 sources cited below

Also known asghrelin-receptor agonist
CategoryGrowth hormone
Canada statusNot authorized in Canada
Human evidence Very limited: almost all animal or cell studies
Sport (WADA)WADA's Prohibited List bans growth hormone releasing factors and secretagogues (S2) at all times.
Last reviewedNovember 10, 2026

How strong is the human evidence?

Very limited: almost all animal or cell studies. How we rate evidence

What is Ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin (GH secretagogue) receptor to trigger growth hormone release. Early animal pharmacology (Raun et al., 1998) described it as selective for GH release.

Is Ipamorelin legal in Canada?

Not authorized. Named by Health Canada among unauthorized peptides and seized injectables.

See how Health Canada regulates peptides.

What the research shows

  • Its GH-releasing effect is documented in animal pharmacology studies.

What it doesn't show

  • We did not find published randomized trials showing muscle, fat-loss, sleep or anti-ageing benefits in healthy people.

Common questions

Is ipamorelin legal in Canada?

No. Health Canada names it among unauthorized injectable peptides.

Ipamorelin vs sermorelin?

Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor; sermorelin is a GHRH analog. Neither is authorized in Canada.

Sources

  1. Health Canada — Peptides: Overview
  2. Health Canada advisory RA-81874 (Apr 9, 2026): Think twice before injecting peptides bought online
  3. Raun K et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol 1998
  4. World Anti-Doping Agency — Prohibited List

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