In PepBank now:147 peptides, 6 blends and 13 other compounds97,577 study results from 17,383 studies8,473 clinical trialsUpdated
Comparing 2 peptides · Data version 308560
Swipe sideways to see every peptide.
| Peptide | Natural peptide IGF-1 (mecasermin) | Synthetic analog GHRP-6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | |||
| Kind | Natural peptide | Synthetic analog | |
| Area | Growth hormone axis | Growth hormone axis | |
| Evidence | |||
| Amount of evidence | 415 (plus 6 on natural levels, listed separately) | 942 | |
| Evidence level | Has results from studies in people | Has results from studies in people | |
| Safety | |||
| Safety results | 55 (55 in people) | 32 (11 in people) | |
| Status | |||
| Approval | |||
| Sport (WADA) | |||
| Registered trials | 52 · 3 active254 more mention it but do not test it | None registered | |
Shared outcomes
From the regulatory data of each peptide.
The FDA label for Increlex says: “Growth failure in children aged 2 years and older with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency, or GH gene deletion with neutralizing antibodies to GH”
Outcome groups with study results for at least two of these peptides. Counts include only results from studies that gave the peptide. Bar length is the number of results, on one scale. The bars show how much was studied, not how large an effect was. A peptide with more studies can look stronger here without being stronger. For results, see the randomized results above.
| Outcome group | IGF-1 (mecasermin) | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Growth hormone and IGF-1Metabolic and weight | 655483 | 377 |
PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.
Its most advanced trial is in phase 3. The FDA, the EMA and the other sources we use show no approval (as of 9 Oct 2026).
| Glycemic controlMetabolic and weight | 7474 | 183132 |
|---|
| Adverse eventsWhole body | 4646 | 20614 |
|---|
| Bone and jointMusculoskeletal | 52502 | 1111 |
|---|
| Receptor activity and mechanismEndocrine and hormones | 33 | 190167122 |
|---|
| PharmacokineticsPharmacology | 3131 | 221372 |
|---|
| Kidney functionKidney and urinary | 2020 | 33 |
|---|
| NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognition | 1212 | 29254 |
|---|
| Sex hormones and fertilityReproductive and sexual health | 1212 | 15411 |
|---|
| Protein and amino acid metabolismMetabolic and weight | 1818 | 11 |
|---|
| Body compositionMetabolic and weight | 1313 | 66 |
|---|
| LipidsMetabolic and weight | 1111 | 99 |
|---|
Each analog against its native parent, residue by residue. Substitutions, non-standard residues and modifications are marked. Calculated from the two sequences.
GHRP-6 differs from Ghrelin (human), ghrelin-28 at 5 positions.
What is different
For each outcome that two or more peptides have results for: the best result of a single randomized trial, on the same measure (the same kind of number, the same unit). When a trial has several dose arms, the cell shows the highest dose arm. The trials differ in people, length and dose, so a gap between two cells is not proof that one peptide works better.
No outcome has a randomized-trial result on the same measure for two or more of these peptides yet.
The other peptides have no randomized result on the same measure, so these results cannot be set side by side.
| Outcome | IGF-1 (mecasermin) | GHRP-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Bone and jointMusculoskeletalCompared as: difference from placebo, in p value | 0.05 P value P value for spinal bone density change comparison Dose studied: 30 microg/kg twice daily9 monthsn = 602002 | No randomized trial result 11 results from other study designs. |
| Kidney functionKidney and urinaryCompared as: difference from placebo, in p value | 0.67 p value P value for day 7 inulin clearance comparison Dose studied: 100 mg/kg twice a day6 daysn = 432003 | No randomized trial result 3 results from other study designs. |
| Glycemic controlMetabolic and weightCompared as: difference from placebo, in unitless | −0.03 unitless P value for HbA1c reduction versus placebo · Shown as a change. The study reports a p value for hba1c reduction versus placebo of this size. Dose studied: 40 microg/kg daily24 weeksn not reported1997 | |
| Linear growthEndocrine and hormonesCompared as: value in the arm that got the peptide, in cm/yr | 2.9 cm/yr Growth rate · rhIGF-I recipients, before therapy (2.9 +/- 0.6) Dose studied: 120 micrograms/kg daily12 monthsn not reported1995 | No randomized trial result 4 results from other study designs. |
| NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognitionCompared as: difference from placebo, in % | 26% Slower progression of functional impairment versus placebo Dose studied: 0.10 mg/kg/day9 monthsn not reported1997 | No randomized trial result 29 results from other study designs. |
0.05 P value
P value for spinal bone density change comparison
Dose studied: 30 microg/kg twice daily9 monthsn = 602002
No randomized trial result
11 results from other study designs.
No randomized trial result 18 results from other study designs. |
0.67 p value
P value for day 7 inulin clearance comparison
Dose studied: 100 mg/kg twice a day6 daysn = 432003
No randomized trial result
3 results from other study designs.
−0.03 unitless
P value for HbA1c reduction versus placebo · Shown as a change. The study reports a p value for hba1c reduction versus placebo of this size.
Dose studied: 40 microg/kg daily24 weeksn not reported1997
No randomized trial result
18 results from other study designs.
2.9 cm/yr
Growth rate · rhIGF-I recipients, before therapy (2.9 +/- 0.6)
Dose studied: 120 micrograms/kg daily12 monthsn not reported1995
No randomized trial result
4 results from other study designs.
26%
Slower progression of functional impairment versus placebo
Dose studied: 0.10 mg/kg/day9 monthsn not reported1997
No randomized trial result
29 results from other study designs.
Registered trials, ranked by phase (late phases first), then posted results and enrollment. Status is the registry status. Study results come from published studies. Results posted at ClinicalTrials.gov are shown on each trial page.
Top 3 of 52 trials, ranked by phase, then posted results and enrollment: 3 completed · 3 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston644 participantsJul 2000 to Apr 2013
Burns
Mayo Clinic330 participantsJun 2003 to Dec 2007
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Ipsen137 participantsMar 2004 to Jul 2008
Growth Disorders · Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Deficiency
254 more mention it but do not test it. They only measure it or name it in their text.
No registered trial that tests GHRP-6 found in ClinicalTrials.gov.