Educational comparison — not medical advice. This page compares two compounds for informational purposes. Neither is recommended as treatment. Any protocol decision is a conversation with your licensed healthcare provider.
MK-677 is an oral ghrelin-receptor agonist (small molecule, not a peptide). Tesamorelin is an injectable GHRH analog (peptide). Both elevate IGF-1 but through different receptors and different delivery. MK-677's ghrelin pathway drives notable appetite increase and water retention; tesamorelin's GHRH pathway is cleaner on those side effects. MK-677 users often see IGF-1 rise faster (within 4 weeks) but must monitor fasting insulin for insulin-resistance drift.
FEATURE COMPARISON
MK-677
Tesamorelin
Full name
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
Category
Growth
Growth
FDA status
Not FDA-approved. Investigational; research chemical status.
FDA-approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Widely used off-label.
Half-life
~24 hours
~26 minutes
Typical dosing
10–25 mg orally, once daily
1–2 mg nightly, subcutaneous, on an empty stomach
Route
Oral (typically dropper solution or capsule)
Subcutaneous (abdominal)
Classification
Small-molecule ghrelin receptor agonist
Synthetic GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) analog
Informational only — neither compound is presented as a treatment for any condition. These are contexts in which users research these compounds and discuss them with their licensed provider.
Informational comparison only — not medical advice. Research-stage compounds discussed are not FDA-approved unless specifically noted. Any protocol decision should be made with a licensed healthcare provider.