Mecasermin
Also referenced as: Increlex, Recombinant human IGF-1
Recombinant human IGF-1 used for narrowly defined pediatric growth failure.
- Evidence grade
- BModerate Human Evidence
Moderate Human Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Increlex is FDA-approved for growth failure in children aged 2 and older with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or specified GH-gene deletion with neutralizing GH antibodies; not bodybuilding.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
Recombinant human IGF-1 used for narrowly defined pediatric growth failure.
Increlex is FDA-approved for growth failure in children aged 2 and older with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or specified GH-gene deletion with neutralizing GH antibodies; not bodybuilding.
It is not a general replacement for growth hormone, nor the same compound as research analogues IGF-1 DES or LR3.
Why It's Being Studied
- Severe primary IGF-1 deficiency
- Pediatric growth
Mechanism of Action
It activates IGF-1 receptors directly, unlike peptides that stimulate the pituitary to release growth hormone.
It activates IGF-1 receptors directly, unlike peptides that stimulate the pituitary to release growth hormone. It is not a general replacement for growth hormone, nor the same compound as research analogues IGF-1 DES or LR3.
From molecular target to clinical evidence
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Clinical Peptide Medicines
Clinical peptide medicines include endocrine treatments, antimicrobial drugs, receptor blockers and targeted diagnostic or cancer agents. They do not share one mechanism or one set of indications.
An approval belongs to a specific medicine and indication. A diagnostic tracer, an antibiotic and a hormone are not interchangeable wellness products; read each profile's own mechanism and prescribing source.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Severe primary IGF-1 deficiency
- Pediatric growth
- Subcutaneous approved medicine
Evidence Summary
Human studies support growth effects in severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and specified GH-antibody-related conditions.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Mecasermin; tap to read it.
- Human studies support growth effects in severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and specified GH-antibody-related conditions.
1 cited sources.
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- Human studies support growth effects in severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and specified GH-antibody-related conditions.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Severe hypoglycemia, intracranial hypertension, lymphoid hypertrophy and neoplasia precautions are important.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- It is not a general replacement for growth hormone, nor the same compound as research analogues IGF-1 DES or LR3.
- Findings apply to the product, route and population studied; they do not establish benefits or safety for unrelated wellness uses or research-vial products.
How to Read This Research
- Is this a single molecule or a family of medicines?
- Is the use diagnostic, therapeutic or investigational?
- Does the quoted outcome match the exact product, formulation and population?
- Use the compound-specific mechanism above; this diagram describes drug development, not a shared biological pathway.
- Historical approval, present availability and off-label use are distinct questions.
- For radiopharmaceuticals and hospital medicines, specialist handling is part of the treatment context.
- Indication
- The condition and population for which a medicine is approved.
- Antagonist
- A compound that blocks activity at a receptor.
- Radiopharmaceutical
- A medicine containing a radioactive isotope for imaging or treatment.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Mecasermin | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | B — Moderate Human Evidence | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Subcutaneous approved medicine | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Prescribing label
Mecasermin — prescribing label