MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

Non-peptide oral growth hormone secretagogue. Mimics ghrelin at GHS-R1a without being a peptide. Produces sustained 24-hour GH elevation with once-daily oral dosing. Increases IGF-1, appetite, and sleep quality. Does not suppress endogenous GH production. Raises fasting glucose and insulin at higher doses.

Half-life

4-6 hours (functional GH elevation lasts 24 hours)

Bioavailability

High (oral)

Route

oral

Evidence tier

T1 — Multiple RCTs

Optimization pillars

muscle · recovery

References

2 peer-reviewed

Dose ranges

Three tiers ordered by aggressiveness. Tier chips on every OPTIMIZE intervention let you filter the catalog by your evidence tolerance.

conservative

10–12.5 mg/day

IGF-1 elevation with minimal glucose impact

moderate

12.5–25 mg/day

Standard anti-aging

aggressive

25 mg/day

Maximum GH output

Monitoring

igf-1
fasting-glucose
fasting-insulin
hba1c
homa-ir

Contraindications

diabetes
insulin-resistance
active-cancer

References

PMID:18981485Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults — Ann Intern Med, 2008
PMID:9467534MK-677, an orally active growth hormone secretagogue — J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1997

Notes

MK-677 is the only oral GH secretagogue with multi-year clinical trial data in elderly populations. No injections. Once daily. Significant IGF-1 elevation. The Ann Intern Med paper is the anchor. The glucose and insulin impact is the limiting factor — fasting glucose rises in a dose-dependent manner. At 25mg, insulin resistance becomes a real concern. At 10mg, the metabolic impact is manageable for most people. Monitor glucose. This is not optional. It is protocol-critical.

This is not medical advice

Discuss with a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any compound. This page documents what the research literature describes — it is not a prescription.

See MK-677 (Ibutamoren) in a protocol matched to you