MK-677

MK-677 activates the ghrelin receptor and is used orally in research on the growth hormone axis. It is also called ibutamoren. It has no FDA approval.

• Growth Hormone Support

  Most effective

  Pituitary signaling promotes release of the body’s own growth hormone.

• Body Composition

  Effective

  Potential changes include greater lean mass and lower amounts of body fat.

• Recovery & Repair

  Effective

  Research examines tissue restoration and recovery following injury or exercise.

• Sleep Quality

  Moderate

  Some research schedules are associated with better restorative and slow-wave sleep.

These are commonly discussed research protocols — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

• Insulin / IGF-1

  Monitor

• Corticosteroids

  Caution

• Thyroid Hormones

  Monitor

• BPC-157

  Compatible

• TB-500

  Compatible

• Ipamorelin + CJC-1295

  Compatible

• Somatostatin Analogs

  Avoid

Diluent: Use bacteriostatic water; avoid saline because precipitation may occur.

1. Let the refrigerated vial stand at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before preparation.
2. Disinfect the stopper using an alcohol swab, then wait until it has dried fully in the air.
3. Measure the calculated quantity of bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe. Use only this diluent; avoid saline because precipitation may occur.
4. Add the water gradually against the inner vial wall. Keep the stream away from the powder itself.
5. Rotate the vial with a gentle swirling motion. Do not shake forcefully, because this can degrade the contents.
6. Wait 2–3 minutes for the powder to dissolve completely, and check that the liquid is transparent and has no color.
7. Use an insulin syringe to withdraw the calculated amount for injection beneath the skin.
8. Inject in the thigh, abdomen or upper arm. Change the injection location each time to help prevent lipodystrophy.
9. Refrigerate the mixed solution at 2–8°C. Use it within a maximum of 28 days after preparation.

Week 1–2

Sleep may improve during weeks 1–2, although mild fluid retention can occur at the beginning.

Week 2–4

During weeks 2–4, sleep may become deeper and recovery improve; a modest appetite increase is possible.

Week 4–8

Weeks 4–8 may bring noticeable changes in energy, body composition and the speed of recovery.

Week 8–12

During weeks 8–12, skin changes may become evident alongside lower body fat and more lean tissue.

Week 12+

After week 12, gains in strength, body composition and general vitality may persist. These are research expectations, not assured outcomes.

• Fluid retention with mild bloating, particularly at initiation
• Greater appetite, especially with GHRP compounds
• Warmth or flushing around the injection location
• Numbness or tingling resembling carpal tunnel symptoms with larger doses
• Lethargy or fatigue when dosing times are unsuitable
• Possible increases in prolactin and cortisol, particularly with GHRP-6
• Raised blood glucose; monitor if you have diabetes or prediabetes · Rare

MK-677: not approved in the US.

• US

  Not approved

  FDA: no approval for human treatment; research use only. No 503A ban is identified; compounding authorization remains unknown. Telehealth is not applicable.

  Rx required

  No

  Telehealth

  N/A

1. MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue: effects on body composition (1998)

2. Two-year treatment with ibutamoren increases bone mineral density, body composition, and quality of life (2008)

3. MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue, reverses diet-induced catabolism. (1998)

   PMID 9467534DOI 10.1210/jcem.83.2.4551

4. Characterization of growth hormone secretagogue small molecule ibutamoren (MK-0677) and its possible metabolites in thoroughbred horses for doping control. (2022)

   PMID 35716382DOI 10.1002/rcm.9337

5. Ibutamoren (MK-677) studies on ClinicalTrials.gov (2024)