MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Also referenced as: Ibutamoren, MK-677
A nonpeptide small-molecule GH secretagogue, not a peptide.
- Evidence grade
- CEarly Human Research
Early Human Research
- Regulatory status
- Investigational
Not FDA-approved for the research uses discussed; no established clinical enhancement indication.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- October 27, 2026
Overview
A nonpeptide small-molecule GH secretagogue, not a peptide.
Not FDA-approved for the research uses discussed; no established clinical enhancement indication.
Changes in lean mass or IGF-1 do not establish healthy aging, stronger function or a safe bodybuilding regimen.
Why It's Being Studied
- GH secretion
- IGF-1
- Body composition
Mechanism of Action
Ghrelin-receptor agonism increases endogenous GH and IGF-1 rather than supplying GH directly.
Ghrelin-receptor agonism increases endogenous GH and IGF-1 rather than supplying GH directly. Changes in lean mass or IGF-1 do not establish healthy aging, stronger function or a safe bodybuilding regimen.
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
- GH secretion
- IGF-1
- Body composition
- Oral clinical research
Evidence Summary
Randomized human research demonstrates endocrine effects and increased fat-free mass, but not established functional or anti-aging benefits.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for MK-677 (Ibutamoren); tap to read it.
- Randomized human research demonstrates endocrine effects and increased fat-free mass, but not established functional or anti-aging benefits.
1 cited sources.
- Randomised controlled trial1
Human clinical evidence
- Randomized human research demonstrates endocrine effects and increased fat-free mass, but not established functional or anti-aging benefits.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Increased appetite, edema and impaired glucose regulation were reported; heart-failure concerns arose in a vulnerable clinical population.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Changes in lean mass or IGF-1 do not establish healthy aging, stronger function or a safe bodybuilding regimen.
- 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
| MK-677 (Ibutamoren) | Trofinetide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | C — Early Human Research | B — Moderate Human Evidence |
| Regulatory status | Investigational | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Oral clinical research | Oral approved medicine |
| Cited sources | 1 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Randomised controlled trial
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) — randomised controlled trial