MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
Ibutamoren · Oratrope · MK-0677
Popular for:Oral GH secretagogue, sleep quality, muscle preservation
8
Registered Trials
19
Trial Publications
114
PubMed References
Phase III
Evidence Level
Overview
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a non-peptide, orally active growth hormone secretagogue that mimics ghrelin to stimulate GH and IGF-1 release. The short version: people usually care about it for oral gh secretagogue, sleep quality, muscle preservation, but the strength of the evidence depends heavily on indication and study type.
MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a non-peptide, orally active growth hormone secretagogue that mimics ghrelin to stimulate GH and IGF-1 release. Unlike injectable GHRPs, MK-677 is taken orally and has a long duration of action (approximately 24 hours), allowing once-daily dosing.
Developed by Merck, MK-677 has been through Phase II clinical trials for various conditions including growth hormone deficiency, muscle wasting, and osteoporosis. It is technically not a peptide but is commonly grouped with GH secretagogues in the peptide research community.
Research Snapshot
What the evidence says
Phase IIIMK-677 (Ibutamoren) currently shows 8 registered trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, 19 PubMed trial publications (18 RCT-tagged), and 114 PubMed references matching the stored source query. Treat PubMed references as literature surface area, not a count of clinical trials.
Known vs uncertain
Known signals
- 8 registered trials are tracked from ClinicalTrials.gov intervention records.
- 19 PubMed clinical-trial publications are indexed.
- 18 PubMed randomized controlled trial publications are indexed.
- 114 PubMed references are tracked separately from trial counts and can include animal, in-vitro, review, mechanism, or clinical records.
Open questions
- Evidence strength may vary by indication, route, formulation, and population.
- Public anecdotes can highlight interest or concern but do not establish clinical efficacy.
- Regulatory status and compounding access can change independently from the research literature.
Mechanism of Action
MK-677 is a ghrelin mimetic that binds to GHS-R1a receptors, stimulating GH release from the pituitary.
Key Research Benefits
Clinical Evidence Summary
Research Pipeline
8
Registered Trials
19
Trial Publications
18
RCT Publications
114
PubMed References
Registered trials are ClinicalTrials.gov intervention records. Trial publications are PubMed records tagged as clinical trials or randomized controlled trials. PubMed references are broader source-query matches and can include animal studies, in-vitro work, reviews, mechanism papers, and trial publications.
8
Registered trials
19
Trial publications
18
RCT publications
114
PubMed references
16
Reviews
0
Meta-analyses
Registered trials source
Jun 1, 2026
MK-677, Ibutamoren
Uses curated ClinicalTrials.gov intervention aliases to avoid misleading registry matches.
View sourcePublication counts source
May 3, 2026
MK-677, Ibutamoren, MK-0677
Uses MK-677 and Ibutamoren aliases instead of the parenthetical display label.
View sourceNot FDA-approved. Completed Phase II clinical trials (Merck). Research compound. Not scheduled by DEA.
Key PubMed References
114 PubMed references · showing top 25 by relevance
View all on PubMedKnowing the minimal detectable dose can facilitate the interpretation of a hair test result: II. Case example with ibutamoren (MK-677), a growth hormone secretagogue.
Kintz P, Gheddar L · Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry · 2026
PMID: 40882886Hepatotoxicity induced by MK-677.
Cobani E, Amin MS, Hasso M, et al. · BMJ case reports · 2025
PMID: 40675653Investigating the P53-dependent anti-cancer effect of ibutamoren in human cancer cell lines.
Abdul Ghafoor N, Rasuli S, Tanriverdi Ö, et al. · Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology · 2025
PMID: 39668330Detection of the growth hormone secretagogue MK-0677 in equine hair following oral administration.
Viljanto M, Cutler C, Taylor P, et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2023
PMID: 36354265Equine metabolism of the growth hormone secretagogue MK-0677 in vitro and in urine and plasma following oral administration.
Cutler C, Viljanto M, Taylor P, et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2022
PMID: 35302297Anecdotes & Sentiment
This section summarizes what people are talking about in public sources. It can be useful for spotting questions, hype cycles, and recurring concerns, but it is separate from the evidence sections above.
No curated public-discussion themes are live for MK-677 (Ibutamoren) yet.
Side Effects & Safety
- Increased appetite and hunger - Water retention and bloating - Potential insulin resistance with prolonged use - Lethargy and drowsiness - Numbness/tingling in extremities
Known Interactions
No curated interaction entry is live for MK-677 (Ibutamoren) yet.
Until the interaction table is fully populated, use the interaction checker and related peptides below to explore adjacent compounds and likely research pairings.
Comparison Pages
Comparison pages
AllNo comparison page is linked yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Disclaimer
This page is for research and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Regulatory status can vary by compound, formulation, indication, and jurisdiction. Check official labeling, registry records, and qualified professional guidance before making any health-related decision. The studies referenced are linked to their original PubMed sources for verification.