Hormone · In Clinical Trials
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
No lawful US pathway
01 · Overview
An orally active, non-peptide growth hormone secretagogue that mimics ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor. In healthy older adults, once-daily oral MK-677 increased 24-hour GH by enhancing existing GH pulses, and raised IGF-I into the young-adult range (PMID 8954023).
It is being developed as LUM-201 (ibutamoren) for pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PMID 35354138).
02 · Research summary & key findings
A 2-year randomized trial in healthy adults aged 60-81 raised GH and IGF-I to young-adult levels and increased fat-free mass, without gains in strength or function (Nass et al., Ann Intern Med, 2008) (PMID 18981485). Side effects included increased appetite, mild edema, higher fasting glucose, reduced insulin sensitivity and modestly higher cortisol (PMID 18981485). A hip fracture trial was stopped early over a heart failure safety signal (PMID 21067829).
03 · Regulatory status
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is currently undergoing clinical trials. It is not yet FDA-approved and is available only through clinical research settings or investigational protocols.
No lawful pathway today
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so we do not sell it and will not book a consultation for it. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding. If you are working on the goal it is studied for, a licensed clinician can tell you what is lawfully available, which may be something else.
See the 13 FDA-approved compounds in Hormone
Tell me if the status changes
One email, only if this compound's regulatory standing actually moves. Not a newsletter, not a sales sequence.
Looking for a lawful, clinician-prescribed option for hormone optimization?
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is still in clinical trials, is not FDA-approved, and has no lawful US compounding pathway, so we do not offer it and no clinician we work with will prescribe it. Products sold online as “research chemicals” are not made or tested to the standards required of medicines. If you are working on hormone optimization, a licensed clinician can tell you at a free consultation whether an FDA-approved or lawfully compounded treatment fits you, or whether nothing does.
Explore lawful options (free intake)About 3 minutes. If a protocol is prescribed through our provider, we earn 10% of the sale. See the receipts.
04 · Administration routes
- Oral
References
- [1]Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial Ann Intern Med, 2008. PMID 18981485
- [2]MK-0677 (ibutamoren mesylate) for the treatment of patients recovering from hip fracture: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIb study Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 2011. PMID 21067829
- [3]A GH Secretagogue Receptor Agonist (LUM-201) Elicits Greater GH Responses than Standard GH Secretagogues in Subjects of a Pediatric GH Deficiency Trial Horm Res Paediatr, 2022. PMID 35354138
- [4]Stimulation of the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor I axis by daily oral administration of a GH secretogogue (MK-677) in healthy elderly subjects J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1996. PMID 8954023
Primary literature
- PubMed: "MK-677"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "MK-677"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "MK-677"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
Related peptides in Hormone
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.