Hexarelin vs SS-31 (Elamipretide)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin is a potent synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue. It provides the strongest GH release among GHRPs but is associated with rapid desensitization of receptors.
Full details →SS-31 (Elamipretide)
SS-31, also known as Elamipretide or Bendavia, is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. It has been studied extensively for mitochondrial diseases, heart failure, and age-related decline in mitochondrial function.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Hexarelin | SS-31 (Elamipretide) |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 100 mcg–300 mcg | 20 mg–40 mg |
| Frequency | 2x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 8–12 weeks | 4–12 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Acts as a ghrelin mimetic with high potency at the GHS receptor. Provides powerful GH release but receptor desensitization occurs faster than with other GHRPs, requiring cycling. | Concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it binds to cardiolipin, stabilizing electron transport chain function, reducing reactive oxygen species, and improving ATP production efficiency. |
| Typical Dosage | Typical dosing: 100-200mcg administered 2-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks, followed by an equal off period to allow receptor resensitization. | Clinical trials have used IV infusions of 0.25mg/kg for acute conditions. Subcutaneous dosing protocols for research use typically range from 1-5mg daily. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Cycling is essential to maintain effectiveness. Often used in short bursts rather than continuous protocols. | Can be administered IV or subcutaneously. Most clinical research has used IV administration for cardiac conditions. |
| Side Effects | Water retention, cortisol and prolactin increase, hunger (moderate), tingling, and potential blood pressure effects. | Generally well-tolerated. Clinical trials reported injection site reactions and occasional headache. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Hexarelin, SS-31 (Elamipretide) are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Hexarelin:
Unique to SS-31 (Elamipretide):
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | Hexarelin | SS-31 (Elamipretide) |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery & Healing | medium | medium |
Key Studies
Hexarelin
- Hexarelin promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection.
Indian journal of pharmacology, 2026
- Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway.
European journal of medical research, 2023
- Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation.
Microvascular research, 2022
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
- Elamipretide: First Approval.
Drugs, 2026
- Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction With Elamipretide (SS-31) Improves Skeletal Muscle Performance in a HFpEF Rat Model.
Circulation. Heart failure, 2026
- Elamipretide (SS-31) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Combination Therapy Targets TREM2 to Mitigate Post-ischemic Brain Injury in Mice.
Neurochemical research, 2026
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