# GHRP-6 GHRP-6 is on FDA's Category 2 list, and it is in no approved drug. No pharmacy or outsourcing facility has a legal route to make it. The evidence grade is limited-human: small studies show it raises growth hormone, but none tested it for muscle or recovery. Status checked: 2026-10-26. Last verified: 2026-10-26. Primary source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks This page has not been individually reviewed by a clinician. Information, not medical advice. | Fact | Value | Tier | Checked | Source | |---|---|---|---|---| | Also called | growth hormone releasing peptide-6 | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) | | Class | growth-hormone-axis | peer-reviewed | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9543138/) | | Regulatory status | category-2 | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) | | Status source read | 2026-10-25 | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download) | | Evidence grade | limited-human | our assessment | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade) | ## Name GHRP-6 Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23099431/ ## Summary A lab-made peptide that makes the body release growth hormone. Doctors have tested it to diagnose growth hormone shortage in adults. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11980622/ ## Short answer GHRP-6 is on FDA's Category 2 list, and it is in no approved drug. No pharmacy or outsourcing facility has a legal route to make it. The evidence grade is limited-human: small studies show it raises growth hormone, but none tested it for muscle or recovery. Source: https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer ## Known risks - FDA warns that compounded GHRP-6 may set off the immune system for some ways of taking it. The peptide can clump and carry impurities [^1]. - FDA says the data it has show possible effects on cortisol, a stress hormone. They also show higher blood sugar, because the body responds less to insulin [^1]. - A 2026 review lists harms in people who used peptides like GHRP-6 on their own. These include hormone and blood sugar changes, appetite changes, fluid build-up, muscle and joint pain, and skin reactions where the needle went in [^19]. - A product sold as a growth peptide may hold something else. Doping labs found Gly-GHRP-6, a changed form with one extra amino acid, in growth products sold outside legal channels [^18]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## What nobody knows yet - None of the human studies we cite tested GHRP-6 for muscle or recovery in healthy people [^9] [^10] [^11] [^12]. - A rise in growth hormone on a blood test is a lab marker. Nobody knows if that rise leads to the gains GHRP-6 is sold for [^10] [^19]. - The heart and stomach results come from rats. Nobody knows if they hold in people [^13] [^14] [^16]. - FDA says it has found little safety information on GHRP-6. Nobody knows what months or years of use do [^1]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## What it is GHRP-6 is a lab-made chain of six amino acids [^9] [^17]. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. It makes the pituitary gland release growth hormone [^17]. That is a gland at the base of the brain. Most of its effect needs a hormone the body already makes, called growth hormone-releasing hormone [^10]. Doctors have studied GHRP-6 as a test for growth hormone shortage in adults [^12]. Labs have also tested it for heart and gut injury in rats [^13] [^14] [^16]. Today GHRP-6 is sold online as a research compound for body shape and sports [^19]. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23099431/ ## Where it stands legally GHRP-6 is on Category 2, FDA's list of substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding [^1]. That is FDA's view while it keeps reviewing, not a final rule, and it gives no compounder a legal route to make GHRP-6 [^5] [^6]. GHRP-6 is also in no FDA-approved drug [^6]. Checked 25 October 2026. FDA keeps lists for two kinds of compounders. A pharmacy is covered by section 503A of the law. An outsourcing facility is covered by section 503B [^3] [^5]. On FDA's outsourcing list of 21 March 2025, GHRP-6 is in Category 2 in every form [^4]. FDA added it on 29 September 2023 [^1]. FDA says it would consider acting against an outsourcing facility that makes drugs from a Category 2 substance [^5]. On FDA's pharmacy list of 14 May 2026, GHRP-6 is in Category 3 [^2]. That category holds substances nominated without enough support for FDA to review them [^2] [^3]. FDA has told pharmacies that drugs made from GHRP-6 do not meet the rules for pharmacy compounding [^6] [^7]. GHRP-6 was studied as a test for growth hormone shortage [^12]. It is sold to build muscle and change body shape [^19]. A law firm and a pharmacy magazine expected it to stay restricted after a February 2026 federal announcement on peptides [^8] [^20]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## What the evidence shows The evidence grade is limited-human: small studies in people show GHRP-6 raises growth hormone, but none tested the uses it is sold for [^10] [^11] [^12] [^19]. In nine healthy men, GHRP-6 given into a vein stayed in the blood for hours [^9]. Four of them had odd spikes of GHRP-6 as the body removed it [^9]. In nine other healthy men, a drug that blocks growth hormone-releasing hormone stopped most of the growth hormone rise from GHRP-6 [^10]. In 16 healthy adults, the steroid dexamethasone made that rise larger [^11]. In 20 adult patients, a GHRP-6 test picked out those short of growth hormone as well as a standard test did [^12]. The only problem seen in that study was flushing [^12]. In rats given the cancer drug doxorubicin, GHRP-6 protected the heart and other organs [^13]. In rats with a model of a heart attack, it reduced scarring and helped the heart pump [^14]. In rats under stress, it prevented stomach damage [^16]. In a model of organ failure, it reduced liver and gut damage, and the study summary does not name the species [^15]. In human pituitary tumor cells grown in a lab, it raised growth hormone release [^17]. These are animal and lab results, not results in people. A rise in growth hormone on a test is a lab marker. It does not show more muscle or faster recovery [^19]. A 2026 review says the benefits for sports and body shape are uncertain [^19]. Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42395176/ ## Legitimate ways to get it There is no legal route to GHRP-6 in the US today [^1] [^4]. No approved drug contains it, and drugs made from it do not meet the rules for pharmacy compounding [^6]. Every form is in Category 2 on FDA's outsourcing list, so no outsourcing facility has a route either [^4] [^5]. Any open trial would appear in the trials block below, with the date the official registry was last checked. Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ## How people are getting it anyway This section describes what happens and is not a recommendation. Two ways of getting GHRP-6 show up in the records [^6] [^19]. The first is pharmacies that make it although the law does not allow it. FDA has sent warning letters to pharmacies that made drugs from GHRP-6 [^6] [^7]. One pharmacy told FDA it had dropped GHRP-6 from its products [^7]. The second is online sellers that market it as a research compound. A 2026 review says what these products hold, and how strong they are, is uncertain [^19]. Doping labs have found a changed form, Gly-GHRP-6, in growth products sold outside legal channels [^18]. Under federal law, a new drug may not be sold across state lines without FDA approval [^6]. GHRP-6 is in no approved drug [^6]. FDA warns that compounded GHRP-6 may set off the immune system and may affect cortisol and blood sugar [^1]. Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 ## Access routes Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download ### None Detail: There is no legal route to GHRP-6 in the US today. It is in no approved drug, pharmacies may not use it, and every form is in Category 2 on FDA's outsourcing list. Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download ## Unofficial channels Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 ### Compounding outside the rules What it is: Made by a pharmacy from bulk GHRP-6 powder, although it does not meet the rules for pharmacy compounding. Legal position: FDA says drugs made from GHRP-6 do not qualify for the compounding exemptions. It is in no approved drug and is not on the federal list. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019) Documented risks: - FDA warns that compounded GHRP-6 may set off the immune system for some ways of taking it, because the peptide can clump and carry impurities. (source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) - FDA says the data it has show possible effects on cortisol and higher blood sugar. (source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks) Enforcement: - 2019-02-05: FDA warning letter to an Alabama compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019) - 2020-04-01: FDA warning letter to a Kentucky compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6 and other peptides. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020) Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 ### Research use seller What it is: Sold online as a research compound, often to people seeking muscle or a change in body shape. Legal position: Under federal law, a new drug may not be sold across state lines without FDA approval. GHRP-6 is in no approved drug. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019) Documented risks: - A 2026 review says what these products hold, and how strong they are, is uncertain. (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42395176/) - Doping labs found Gly-GHRP-6, a changed form with one extra amino acid, in growth products sold outside legal channels. (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29864719/) Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 ## Recruiting trials Snapshot date: 2026-10-26. A listing is not a recommendation. Trials have strict eligibility rules. Talk to your doctor and read the official record. None in this snapshot. Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=GHRP-6&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState ## Sources Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ### 1. FDA: bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks, with GHRP-6 added in 2023 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks ### 2. FDA: bulk drug substances nominated under section 503A, list updated 14 May 2026 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download ### 3. FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act ### 4. FDA: bulk drug substances nominated under section 503B, list updated 21 March 2025 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download ### 5. FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503B Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503b-fdc-act ### 6. FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6, 5 February 2019 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 ### 7. FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6 and other peptides, 1 April 2020 Type: regulatory Tier: primary Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020 ### 8. Holt Law: the 2026 federal rules on peptides and the risks for prescribers Type: legal-analysis Tier: legal-analysis Source: https://djholtlaw.com/navigating-the-2026-peptide-regulatory-landscape-federal-compliance-state-enforcement-and-the-legal-liabilities-of-healthcare-providers/ ### 9. How GHRP-6 moves through the blood in nine healthy men, 2013 Type: human-trial Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23099431/ ### 10. GHRP-6 needs the body's own growth hormone-releasing hormone, in nine healthy men, 1998 Type: human-trial Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9543138/ ### 11. GHRP-6 and the steroid dexamethasone in healthy adults, 1999 Type: human-trial Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10583306/ ### 12. GHRP-6 as a test for growth hormone shortage in adult patients, 2002 Type: human-trial Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11980622/ ### 13. GHRP-6 and heart damage from the cancer drug doxorubicin in rats, 2024 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38873418/ ### 14. GHRP-6 after a heart attack model in rats, 2026 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41901314/ ### 15. GHRP-6 in a model of multiple organ failure and in gut cells, 2006 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16417467/ ### 16. GHRP-6 and stress damage to the stomach in rats, 2012 Type: animal Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22791951/ ### 17. GHRP-6 in human pituitary tumor cells grown in a lab, 1995 Type: in-vitro Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7772238/ ### 18. Doping labs test growth products sold outside legal channels and find Gly-GHRP-6, 2018 Type: reference Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29864719/ ### 19. Review: peptides sold to raise growth hormone, including GHRP-6, and their reported harms, 2026 Type: reference Tier: peer-reviewed Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42395176/ ### 20. Pharmacy Times: a pharmacist on the February 2026 peptide announcement Type: reference Tier: established-news Source: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-peptide-reclassification-everyone-s-talking-about-a-pharmacist-s-take-on-what-rfk-jr-s-announcement-actually-means Last verified: 2026-10-26. Sources: - https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=GHRP-6&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState - https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade - https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11980622/ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23099431/ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42395176/ - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9543138/ - https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks - https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 - https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download [^1]: FDA: bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks, with GHRP-6 added in 2023 https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks [^2]: FDA: bulk drug substances nominated under section 503A, list updated 14 May 2026 https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download [^3]: FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act [^4]: FDA: bulk drug substances nominated under section 503B, list updated 21 March 2025 https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download [^5]: FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503B https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503b-fdc-act [^6]: FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6, 5 February 2019 https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/triad-rx-inc-569659-02052019 [^7]: FDA warning letter to a compounding pharmacy that made drugs from GHRP-6 and other peptides, 1 April 2020 https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/tailor-made-compounding-llc-594743-04012020 [^8]: Holt Law: the 2026 federal rules on peptides and the risks for prescribers https://djholtlaw.com/navigating-the-2026-peptide-regulatory-landscape-federal-compliance-state-enforcement-and-the-legal-liabilities-of-healthcare-providers/ [^9]: How GHRP-6 moves through the blood in nine healthy men, 2013 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23099431/ [^10]: GHRP-6 needs the body's own growth hormone-releasing hormone, in nine healthy men, 1998 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9543138/ [^11]: GHRP-6 and the steroid dexamethasone in healthy adults, 1999 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10583306/ [^12]: GHRP-6 as a test for growth hormone shortage in adult patients, 2002 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11980622/ [^13]: GHRP-6 and heart damage from the cancer drug doxorubicin in rats, 2024 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38873418/ [^14]: GHRP-6 after a heart attack model in rats, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41901314/ [^15]: GHRP-6 in a model of multiple organ failure and in gut cells, 2006 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16417467/ [^16]: GHRP-6 and stress damage to the stomach in rats, 2012 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22791951/ [^17]: GHRP-6 in human pituitary tumor cells grown in a lab, 1995 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7772238/ [^18]: Doping labs test growth products sold outside legal channels and find Gly-GHRP-6, 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29864719/ [^19]: Review: peptides sold to raise growth hormone, including GHRP-6, and their reported harms, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42395176/ [^20]: Pharmacy Times: a pharmacist on the February 2026 peptide announcement https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/the-peptide-reclassification-everyone-s-talking-about-a-pharmacist-s-take-on-what-rfk-jr-s-announcement-actually-means