Growth hormone peptides and body composition
Growth hormone secretagogues are peptides that stimulate the body's own pulsatile GH release rather than supplying synthetic HGH. The result is improved sleep depth, body composition (reduced visceral fat, modest lean-mass gain), recovery, and skin elasticity over a 3 to 6 month protocol. Rx Peps Direct (RxPepsDirect.com) prescribes the most-studied GH secretagogues for indicated patients.
- GH secretagogues preserve the natural pulsatile release pattern. Synthetic HGH does not.
- Sermorelin, CJC-1295, and tesamorelin all act at the GHRH receptor with different half-lives.
- Ipamorelin acts at the ghrelin receptor without raising cortisol or prolactin (the cleanest secretagogue).
- WADA prohibits GH secretagogues for elite competitive sport. Recreational and clinical use under prescription is unaffected.
CJC-1295/Ipamorelin
$1005mL vial of 2 peptides
The gold standard growth hormone secretagogue stack for lean muscle and recovery.
Sermorelin
$803mg/mL, 5mL vial (15mg total)
A GHRH analog that stimulates your pituitary to produce more growth hormone naturally.
Sermorelin/Ipamorelin
$1005mL vial of 2 peptides
Combined GHRH + ghrelin mimetic for enhanced growth hormone stimulation.
Tesamorelin High-Dose
$2008mg/mL, 3mL vial (24mg total)
Compounded tesamorelin at 0.75 mg, about 1 mg, or the 2 mg dose the Phase III trials used.
0.75 mg is 1 vial a fill of the 3 mg/mL strength ($100), 20 doses, 4 weeks. About 1 mg is 1 vial a fill ($200), 23 doses, about 4.6 weeks. 2 mg is 2 vials a fill ($400), 24 doses, about 4.8 weeks.
Tesamorelin/Ipamorelin
$1205mL vial of 2 peptides
Premium GH secretagogue combination for maximum visceral fat reduction and body recomposition.
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
$1.65/capAn oral growth hormone secretagogue that increases GH and IGF-1 through the ghrelin pathway.
Ibutamoren (MK-677) 25mg
$2.65/capIbutamoren at the higher 25mg capsule strength, for patients stepping up from 12.5mg on their provider's advice.
SLU-PP-332
$3.00/capRetired. The lab that created SLU-PP-332 reports it is not orally bioavailable, and the only form we sold was an oral capsule.
SLU-PP-332/BAM-15 Capsules
$3.50/capRetired. Half of this capsule was SLU-PP-332, which its developers report is not orally bioavailable.
Comparing growth hormone peptides
All GH-class peptides Rx Peps Direct prescribes, with mechanism and dosing context.
| Sermorelin | CJC-1295/Ipamorelin | Sermorelin/Ipamorelin | Tesamorelin | MK-677 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | GHRH analog (short half-life) | GHRH + ghrelin agonist | GHRH + ghrelin agonist | GHRH analog (long half-life) | Oral ghrelin agonist |
| FDA history | Approved as Geref (1997) | Compounded only | Compounded only | Approved as Egrifta (2010) | Investigational |
| Dosing | 0.6 mg subq nightly | 0.4 mg of each, nightly | 0.5 mg of each, nightly | 2 mg subq at bedtime, Monday to Friday | 12.5 mg oral nightly to start |
| Best for | Gentle, natural-style GH support | Body composition + sleep | Stronger GH pulse without DAC | Visceral adiposity, lipodystrophy | Patients avoiding injections |
| Starting price | $80 / 15 mg | $100 / blend | Per provider | Per provider | Per provider |
What to expect on a GH peptide protocol
Sleep depth improves first, often within 2 weeks. Body composition changes (reduced visceral fat, increased lean mass) appear at 8 to 12 weeks. Skin elasticity and recovery markers improve over the same window. Most protocols run 3 to 6 months, with breaks before continuing. Avoid protein-heavy meals 2 hours before the bedtime dose; food blunts the GH pulse.
Important Safety Information
- •Active cancer or history of cancer (AUTO-DENY)
- •Diabetic retinopathy
- •Active carpal tunnel syndrome (flag)
- •Pregnancy
- •Pituitary tumor history (AUTO-DENY)
- •Current use of insulin-like medications without medical review
Frequently asked questions about muscle growth & body composition peptides
- What is the best peptide for muscle growth and recovery?
- There is no single best peptide. CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin is the most popular GH-secretagogue stack because the dual mechanism produces a stronger pulse than either peptide alone. Sermorelin plus Ipamorelin is a shorter-acting alternative that more closely mimics natural release. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (as Egrifta) and has the strongest evidence base for visceral-adiposity reduction. Your provider sets the protocol based on your goals and IGF-1 baseline.
- How long do peptide muscle stacks take to work?
- Sleep improvements are often noticeable within 2 weeks. Body composition changes appear at 8 to 12 weeks of consistent dosing. Strength and recovery improvements typically build through the first 12 to 16 weeks. A clinician check-in at 8 to 12 weeks reviews whether the protocol is producing the expected response.
- Is sermorelin better than CJC-1295 for muscle building?
- Sermorelin has a shorter half-life and more closely mimics natural pulsatile GH release. CJC-1295 has a longer half-life (especially the DAC variant) and produces sustained GH elevation. CJC-1295 paired with Ipamorelin typically produces stronger body-composition results in active patients. Sermorelin is often preferred for older patients seeking a gentler, more natural-style protocol.
- Do GH peptides increase testosterone?
- GH secretagogues do not directly increase testosterone. They act on the pituitary GH axis, not the HPG axis. Some patients report subjective improvements in libido and energy that are typically attributed to better sleep and improved body composition, not testosterone elevation. If testosterone optimization is the goal, ask your provider about TRT separately.
- Are growth hormone peptides legal?
- Growth hormone peptides for human use are sold only with a prescription from a licensed provider, prepared by a licensed 503A pharmacy, and which peptides a 503A pharmacy may compound is set by federal rules that are under review in 2026. WADA prohibits all GH secretagogues for elite competitive sport (Olympic, NCAA-tested events, many professional leagues); the ban applies only to athletes subject to anti-doping testing.
Protocol guides for muscle growth & body composition
Clinical guides covering the molecules in this category. Mechanism, dosing, evidence, and what the research does not yet support.
GHRH analog (GRF 1-29)
Sermorelin protocol guide: pharmacology, dosing, tracking your response, and the non-responder reality
The only GHRH analog still Category 1 compoundable. Daily injection, 6 to 12 month protocol, 30 to 40 percent non-responder rate, and IGF-1 the biomarker that decides the answer.
GHRH analog (Egrifta is the FDA-approved brand)
Tesamorelin protocol guide: visceral fat reduction, dosing, and Phase III evidence
The only GHRH analog with Phase III trials behind an FDA-approved brand. The 2 mg protocol, how a response is judged, and what returns when you stop.
Growth hormone stack
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin protocol guide: dosing, units-to-mcg, timelines, and the legal pathway
Pulsatility, DAC vs no-DAC, syringe math, the 90-day rule, gray-market purity data, and the 503A pathway. Written for the patient who wants the full picture.
Oral GH secretagogue (MK-677)
Ibutamoren (MK-677) guide: oral ghrelin receptor agonist, water retention, glucose elevation, WADA prohibition
The only oral GH secretagogue. Real GH and IGF-1 elevation. Real water retention. Real fasting-glucose drift. WADA prohibited. Monitoring is mandatory.