Ipamorelin vs Mod GRF 1-29 vs Tesamorelin
A three-way comparison to help you find the right peptide for your research goals.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin.
Full details →Mod GRF 1-29
Mod GRF 1-29 (Modified GRF 1-29, also called CJC-1295 without DAC or Tetrasubstituted GRF 1-29) is a modified growth hormone-releasing hormone analog with improved stability over natural GHRH.
Full details →Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Ipamorelin | Mod GRF 1-29 | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Acts as a ghrelin mimetic, binding to the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R) in the pituitary to stimulate GH release. Highly selective with minimal effect on other hormones. | Binds to GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland to stimulate growth hormone release. Four amino acid substitutions improve resistance to enzymatic degradation while maintaining biological activity. | Stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone by binding to GHRH receptors. Increases IGF-1 levels which promotes lipolysis and reduces visceral adipose tissue. |
| Typical Dosage | Typical dosing ranges from 200-300mcg administered 2-3 times daily, often combined with CJC-1295. | Typical dosing: 100-300mcg administered 2-3 times daily, usually combined with a GHRP like Ipamorelin for synergistic effects. | FDA-approved dose: 2mg administered subcutaneously once daily. Research protocols may use various dosing schedules. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Best results when administered fasted or before sleep. Often stacked with GHRH peptides. | Subcutaneous injection. Best administered on empty stomach. Short half-life (~30 minutes) necessitates multiple daily doses, unlike DAC version. | Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen. Rotate injection sites. Best administered at the same time daily, preferably in the evening. |
| Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated. May cause mild headaches, lightheadedness, or increased hunger initially. | Flushing, headache, dizziness, and injection site reactions. Generally well-tolerated. May cause water retention. | Common side effects include injection site reactions (erythema, pruritus), joint pain, peripheral edema, and muscle pain. May cause elevated blood glucose. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Ipamorelin, Mod GRF 1-29, Tesamorelin are all commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Ipamorelin:
Unique to Mod GRF 1-29:
Detailed Analysis
Commonalities
Both Ipamorelin and Mod GRF 1-29 are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss, Recovery & Healing, Sleep Quality.
Which Should You Choose?
Ipamorelin has stronger evidence for Fat Loss, Sleep Quality.
Commonalities
Both Ipamorelin and Tesamorelin are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss.
Which Should You Choose?
Ipamorelin has stronger evidence for Muscle Growth.
Commonalities
Both Mod GRF 1-29 and Tesamorelin are commonly used for Muscle Growth, Fat Loss.
Which Should You Choose?
Mod GRF 1-29 has stronger evidence for Muscle Growth. Tesamorelin has stronger evidence for Fat Loss.