Hexarelin

Summary

Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic six amino acid analog (modified version) of GHRP-6 that releases growth hormone through the ghrelin receptor (the receptor for the body's hunger hormone) and is active by intravenous, subcutaneous (under the skin), intranasal, and even oral routes. Human studies in the 1990s showed strong acute GH release, but a 16 week study found the GH response declined substantially with continued use, and development stopped without any approval. It is not on any FDA compounding list (the lists of raw ingredients pharmacies may use), is not FDA approved, and is prohibited by WADA.

What is Hexarelin?

Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist), methylated analog of GHRP-6. It is also known as Examorelin, EP 23905, His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, Hexarelin acetate.

How does it work?

Hexarelin activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary somatotrophs and hypothalamic neurons, releasing GH synergistically with GHRH and raising prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. It also binds CD36 on cardiac and vascular cells, which is the basis of animal studies showing cardioprotection independent of GH. Methylation of the tryptophan residue makes it more stable than GHRP-6.

What does the evidence say about Hexarelin?

Human data are acute and short term pharmacology studies from the 1990s. A 1994 dose finding study showed GH release after intravenous (1 to 2 ug/kg), subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral dosing in healthy adults. Studies in GH deficient and short children confirmed GH release when pituitary function was intact. A 16 week trial of twice daily subcutaneous hexarelin in healthy adults found the GH response attenuated by about half and IGF-1 did not rise durably. A small surgical study found a single intravenous dose improved cardiac indices during bypass. No randomized trial of clinical outcomes exists.

Human evidence

Ghigo 1994: hexarelin released GH in healthy volunteers by intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral routes, with intravenous 1 to 2 ug/kg producing the largest response. Loche 1995: GH release in short normal and obese children and reduced response in hypopituitary subjects. Arvat 1997: hexarelin and GHRP-2 released more GH than GHRH and raised prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. Rahim 1998: 16 weeks of 1.5 mg twice daily subcutaneous hexarelin in healthy adults led to a partial loss of the GH response and no sustained IGF-1 rise, with recovery after washout. Frieboes 2004: hexarelin decreased slow wave sleep and raised GH, ACTH, cortisol, and prolactin during sleep. Broglio 2002: a single 2 ug/kg intravenous dose improved cardiac performance indices in patients with coronary artery disease during bypass surgery.

Animal evidence

Rodent studies show hexarelin protects the heart against ischemia and reperfusion injury and improves cardiac function after infarction, partly through CD36 binding rather than GH. Rat studies also show GH release and synergy with GHRH. These cardiac findings have not progressed to human outcome trials.

Key studies

Conditions studied

Is Hexarelin legal in the United States?

FDA and compounding status

Not FDA approved and never commercially developed to approval anywhere. Hexarelin does not appear on the FDA 503A or 503B bulks lists or in Category 2 as of the FDA pages current to April 2026, which means it has not been nominated and there is no lawful basis for a compounding pharmacy to use it. It was not part of the April 2026 Category 2 withdrawals or the July 2026 advisory committee review.

WADA status

WADA prohibited. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should treat this as prohibited at all times unless the current prohibited list says otherwise.

Regulatory timeline

1. Sep 21, 2026WADA

   WADA publishes the 2027 Prohibited List

   WADA published the 2027 Prohibited List on September 21, 2026, and it takes effect January 1, 2027. The S2 peptide hormone and growth factor classes are unchanged. BPC-157 is still named under S0, and MOTS-c is still named under S4.4 as an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase. WADA added a note that many peptides without approval for human use fall under S0 or another section, and that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are still not on the list.

   Source: WADA 2027 Prohibited List
2. Jan 1, 2026WADA

   WADA 2026 Prohibited List takes effect

   The 2026 WADA Prohibited List took effect on January 1, 2026 and continues to prohibit the S2 peptide hormone and growth factor classes (GHRH analogs, growth hormone secretagogues, GH fragments, IGF-1 and analogs, MGF, thymosin beta-4 and derivatives, hCG and GnRH-class releasing factors in males), myostatin inhibitors, insulin and the AMPK activator MOTS-c under S4, desmopressin under S5, and BPC-157 under S0. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are not on the list.

   Source: WADA Prohibited List
3. Jan 1, 2025WADA

   WADA 2025 Prohibited List keeps peptide hormones and growth factors banned at all times

   The 2025 WADA Prohibited List took effect on January 1, 2025. Section S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics) covers GHRH analogs such as CJC-1295, sermorelin, and tesamorelin, growth hormone secretagogues such as ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, and ibutamoren (MK-677), growth hormone fragments such as AOD-9604, growth factors including IGF-1 and its analogs, MGF, and thymosin beta-4 (TB-500), and chorionic gonadotropin and releasing factors such as gonadorelin and kisspeptin (prohibited in males). Myostatin inhibitors such as ACE-031 fall under S4, insulin under S4 metabolic modulators, desmopressin under S5, and BPC-157 remains an S0 non-approved substance.

   Source: WADA Prohibited List

Full tracker for Hexarelin or the category-wide tracker.

What published studies of Hexarelin used

Ranges below are reported from published studies and labeling only. PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.

Acute studies used 1 to 2 ug/kg intravenously, 2 to 3 ug/kg subcutaneously, 20 ug/kg intranasally, and up to 20 mg orally in adults (Ghigo 1994). The only chronic study used 1.5 mg subcutaneously twice daily for 16 weeks (Rahim 1998). No dose has been established for any therapeutic use.

Routes reported

What are the side effects and interactions of Hexarelin?

Side effects

Interactions

Contraindications

How do people access Hexarelin legally?

Typical cost: Not available through licensed US channels. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.

• Rules by state
• Verified provider directory

Compare Hexarelin

• Hexarelin vs GHRP-2

What's actually offered, and what that means for you

Licensed compounding pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth prescribers openly offer many unapproved peptides, and prescribers write prescriptions for them. That does not make hexarelin lawful. Hexarelin is not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so a pharmacy has no lawful basis to compound it. [7] [8]

Enforcement is uneven. FDA mostly acts through warning letters to compounders and online sellers, Category 2 safety listings, and import alerts that let it detain shipments, rather than stopping every pharmacy. State pharmacy boards oversee pharmacies day to day, and their rules differ. [8] [10] [11] [12] [13]

What changes for you

• No FDA review of the product: FDA does not check a compounded drug's safety, effectiveness, or quality before it is sold. [13]
• Identity, purity, sterility, and dose accuracy can vary from batch to batch. [8]
• Insurance rarely covers it, so you usually pay cash.
• For tested athletes, hexarelin is prohibited at all times on the WADA list, whatever the source. [9]

What to check

These checks lower some risks, but they do not make an unlawfully compounded product lawful or safe. Check for:

• A 503A pharmacy licensed in your state (your state board of pharmacy publishes license lookups). [13]
• A real evaluation by a licensed prescriber, not just an online form.
• A certificate of analysis for the specific batch.

Frequently asked questions

Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.

Sources

Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.