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Compounds / MK-677

MK-677

Full name
Ibutamoren (MK-677)
Mechanism
Orally active non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist / GH secretagogue. Increases GH and IGF-1 with sustained (non-pulsatile) elevation; technically a small molecule, not a peptide, but grouped with GH secretagogues.
Half-life
~24 hours
Administration
oral
Typical dosage*
low: 10mg/day · typical: 12.5-25mg/day · high: 25mg/day
Researched for
GH/IGF-1 elevation (research), appetite stimulation, investigational: muscle wasting, frailty
Reported side effects
increased appetite, water retention/oedema, lethargy, transient insulin resistance/raised fasting glucose, in one HF trial: increased adverse cardiac events
Interactions
may worsen glycaemic control; caution in heart failure
Commonly combined
MK-677 standalone or with GH-axis peptides (anecdotal)
Scheduling
🇦🇺 AUNot ARTG-registered; research; WADA prohibited (S2)
🇺🇸 USNot FDA-approved; WADA prohibited
🇬🇧 UKNot licensed; WADA prohibited
Regulatory status
Investigational small molecule; WADA-prohibited. Not approved for any indication.

*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.

15studies
9faqs
growth-hormonebody-compositioninvestigational

Studies (15)

YearTitle / venueSource
2025Hepatotoxicity induced by MK-677
BMJ case reports · human
PMID 40675653
2023Detection of the growth hormone secretagogue MK-0677 in equine hair following oral administration
Drug testing and analysis · preclinical
PMID 36354265
2022LGD-4033 and MK-677 use impacts body composition, circulating biomarkers, and skeletal muscle androgenic hormone and receptor content: A case report
Experimental physiology · human
PMID 36303408
2022Characterization of growth hormone secretagogue small molecule ibutamoren (MK-0677) and its possible metabolites in thoroughbred horses for doping control
Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM · preclinical
PMID 35716382
2022A GH Secretagogue Receptor Agonist (LUM-201) Elicits Greater GH Responses than Standard GH Secretagogues in Subjects of a Pediatric GH Deficiency Trial
Hormone research in paediatrics · preclinical
PMID 35354138
2020Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males
Translational andrology and urology · preclinical
PMID 32257855
2018The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues
Sexual medicine reviews · preclinical
PMID 28400207
2018Effect of the Orally Active Growth Hormone Secretagogue MK-677 on Somatic Growth in Rats
Yonsei medical journal · preclinical
PMID 30450851
2011MK-0677 (ibutamoren mesylate) for the treatment of patients recovering from hip fracture: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIb study
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics · human
PMID 21067829
2004The effects of MK-0677, an oral growth hormone secretagogue, in patients with hip fracture
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · human
PMID 15066065
1999Insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth hormone (GH) levels in canine cerebrospinal fluid are unaffected by GH or GH secretagogue (MK-0677) administration
Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme · preclinical
PMID 10226793
1998MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue, reverses diet-induced catabolism
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · human
PMID 9467534
1998The nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, MK-0677, activates hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons in vivo
Journal of neuroendocrinology · preclinical
PMID 9535057
1997Growth hormone-releasing peptides
European journal of endocrinology · preclinical
PMID 9186261
1997Repeat administration of the GH secretagogue MK-0677 increases and maintains elevated IGF-I levels in beagles
The Journal of endocrinology · preclinical
PMID 9071975

Questions (9)

What is MK-677?

MK-677 (Ibutamoren (MK-677)). Orally active non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist / GH secretagogue. Increases GH and IGF-1 with sustained (non-pulsatile) elevation; technically a small molecule, not a peptide, but grouped with GH secretagogues.

What is MK-677 used for?

Commonly discussed uses: GH/IGF-1 elevation (research), appetite stimulation, investigational: muscle wasting, frailty. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.

How does MK-677 work?

Mechanism: Orally active non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist / GH secretagogue. Increases GH and IGF-1 with sustained (non-pulsatile) elevation; technically a small molecule, not a peptide, but grouped with GH secretagogues.

Is MK-677 safe?

Reported considerations: increased appetite, water retention/oedema, lethargy, transient insulin resistance/raised fasting glucose, in one HF trial: increased adverse cardiac events. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Investigational small molecule; WADA-prohibited. Not approved for any indication. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.

What is the typical dose of MK-677?

Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low 10mg/day, typical 12.5-25mg/day, high 25mg/day. Administration: oral. Half-life: ~24 hours.

Is MK-677 legal in Australia?

Australian status: Not ARTG-registered; research; WADA prohibited (S2). Investigational small molecule; WADA-prohibited. Not approved for any indication. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.

How do you store MK-677?

Reconstitution/storage reference: oral — no reconstitution; supplied as capsule/solution; storage: room temp / per product.

What is MK-677 commonly stacked with?

Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): MK-677 standalone or with GH-axis peptides (anecdotal). Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.