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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.
Home/Peptides/MK-677 vs Tesamorelin
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

MK-677 vs Tesamorelin

Users choosing between oral convenience (MK-677) and cleaner side-effect profile (tesamorelin).

OPTION A
MK-677
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Oral, once-daily growth hormone secretagogue. Technically a small molecule, not a peptide - but lumped into the category for protocol purposes.
Full profile →
OPTION B
Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
FDA-approved GHRH analog with the strongest IGF-1 response of any peptide in its class.
Full profile →
THE CORE DIFFERENCE

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.

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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
BIOMARKERS COMMONLY TRACKED
On MK-677
  • • IGF-1
  • • Fasting glucose
  • • Fasting insulin
  • • HbA1c
  • • Prolactin
  • • Cortisol
On Tesamorelin
  • • IGF-1 (primary)
  • • IGFBP-3
  • • Fasting glucose
  • • HbA1c
  • • Fasting insulin
CALCULATOR
MK-677 reconstitution →
CALCULATOR
Tesamorelin reconstitution →
CONDITIONS USERS RESEARCH THESE FOR
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.
RECOVERY
Poor Sleep Quality
Chronic insufficient or fragmented sleep - upstream of most metabolic, hormonal, and cognitive markers.
METABOLIC
Elevated Visceral Fat
The metabolically-active abdominal fat linked to cardiovascular + insulin-resistance risk. Hard to see; visible in labs.
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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.