Ipamorelin Side Effects: Complete Guide
A comprehensive breakdown of Ipamorelin's common, uncommon, and rare side effects — with management tips and when to seek medical attention.
Complete Side Effects Table
| Side Effect | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transient headache | uncommon | Monitor and report to provider |
| Flushing (face/neck) | uncommon | Monitor and report to provider |
| Injection site irritation | common | Expected — typically manageable |
| Water retention (mild) | uncommon | Monitor and report to provider |
| Hunger increase (short-term) | uncommon | Monitor and report to provider |
| Dizziness on first dose | rare | Seek immediate medical attention if occurs |
Managing GI Side Effects
GI effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) are the most commonly reported side effects and are typically dose-dependent and transient. Tips to minimize them:
- •Titrate slowly — never jump doses
- •Inject on a full stomach (for GI-active peptides)
- •Avoid high-fat, spicy, or heavy meals within 2–3 hours of injection
- •Stay hydrated
- •Anti-nausea medication (e.g., Zofran) may be prescribed by your provider for severe cases
- •If vomiting persists beyond 24 hours, contact your healthcare provider
When to Stop and Seek Help
Stop immediately and contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- • Severe abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis)
- • Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- • Rapid heart rate with shortness of breath
- • Signs of allergic reaction (hives, swelling, difficulty breathing)
- • Persistent vomiting lasting more than 24–48 hours
Contraindications & Who Should Avoid Ipamorelin
Based on clinical trial exclusion criteria and pharmacological profile, Ipamorelin should be avoided or used with extreme caution in the following populations:
| Condition / Population | Risk Level | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) | Contraindicated | Glucagon receptor agonism may stimulate thyroid C-cell tumors (observed in animal studies) |
| Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) | Contraindicated | Associated with MTC risk — class-wide contraindication for glucagon-receptor agonists |
| Active pancreatitis | Contraindicated | GLP-1 agonists are associated with pancreatitis risk; avoid in active disease |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | No adequate safety data; weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Unknown whether peptide passes into breast milk |
| Severe renal impairment | Use with caution | Limited data; GI side effects may be worse; monitor closely |
| History of gallbladder disease | Use with caution | GLP-1 receptor agonists associated with increased gallstone risk |
| Diabetic retinopathy | Monitor | Rapid glucose improvement may temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy (seen with semaglutide) |
Drug Interactions
Ipamorelin may interact with the following medications. Always inform your healthcare provider of all medications you take:
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