COMPARE THE EVIDENCE

Ibutamoren

Findings, possible implications, and reported experiences.

About Ibutamoren

Small moleculeGH axis

Primary research area: Emerging research
Regulatory status: Research status varies
Evidence level: Evidence level not yet characterized
Primary mechanism: Mechanism not yet characterized

Reference profile available · Coverage varies by section

Also known as MK-677 · MK677 · MK-0677

Ibutamoren is an oral ghrelin mimetic that stimulates growth-hormone secretion. It is a small molecule, not injected growth hormone. [1]

What has been observed?

Selected source-linked reading notes, not the complete literature or a pooled conclusion.

Human · Reading scope not recorded

Does increased lean mass also mean better strength?

65 adults aged 60–81; randomized, placebo-controlled study.

A randomized trial in older adults increased GH, IGF-1 and fat-free mass, without improving strength or physical function.

Limits: Older adults differ from young trained athletes; appetite, edema and glucose-related effects matter to interpretation.

Open primary source · Read interpretation separately

Explore outcomes for this compound

Uses & research: A randomized study in healthy older adults examined GH, IGF-1, body composition and physical function. Fat-free mass increased, but strength and function did not improve. [1]
Known half-life: No source-verified value in this profile yet. A treatment schedule or duration of an effect is not a drug half-life.
Half-life describes how quickly the measured drug concentration falls by half. It does not set a dosing interval.
Evidence & important limits: The study reported increased appetite, edema, muscle pain and reduced insulin sensitivity. Its treatment schedule is not a measured drug half-life; that value is not established by this source. [1]

Safety & evidence boundaries

Source-specific information, not a personal safety clearance or monitoring plan.

The study reported increased appetite, edema, muscle pain and reduced insulin sensitivity. Its treatment schedule is not a measured drug half-life; that value is not established by this source.

Nass et al., randomized MK-677 trial (2008)

Explore safety questions by system

These are literature filters, not claims that this compound causes each effect. A keyword match is not a confirmed adverse reaction.

Heart, blood pressure & lipids Liver injury Kidney function Glucose effects Reproductive & endocrine effects Mood & sleep Adverse effects & interactions

Interactions, rare harms, long-term effects and reversibility require separate evidence. Do not infer they are absent when the sources here do not address them.

Identity, names & formulations

Canonical compound: Ibutamoren · ibutamoren

Searchable names: MK-677, MK677, MK-0677

Names share a parent research page. Different esters, salts, routes and brands are not assumed to have the same half-life, indication or exposure.

Combination evidence stays attached to the studied combination. It is not automatically assigned to each ingredient.

Understand the evidence types

Read the model and design first, then the population, outcome and limitations. These categories describe evidence, not a best-compound ranking.

Randomized human trials: Compare assigned interventions. Randomization does not by itself establish low bias or relevance to every population.
Controlled human studies: Use a comparison group; allocation and confounding still matter.
Prospective human research: Follows participants forward. It may be observational or interventional, so this is not a separate quality grade.
Observational human research: Describes associations. Confounding can explain differences.
Case reports and series: Useful for unusual events and safety signals, not reliable rates or effect sizes.
Animal research: Can test biology and function in a living model. Human exposure, benefit and safety remain separate questions.
Cell and tissue research: Tests responses in a preparation, including human-derived cells. It is not a human participant trial.
Mechanistic and computational evidence: Helps explain or predict a pathway; predictions need experimental and clinical testing.
Anecdotal reports: Self-reported experiences can generate questions. Product identity, selection bias and other interventions may be uncontrolled.

Systematic reviews synthesize studies and depend on their quality. Preprint status and abstract versus full-paper reading are separate labels. Citation popularity measures attention, not reliability. A study summary is not a formal quality appraisal.

Sources for this profile

1. Nass et al., randomized MK-677 trial (2008) Study abstract · healthy older adults

Reference facts checked 2026-09-16. Source scope is listed above; this is not a formal quality appraisal. See each label for full prescribing information.

Browse all studies

Research outcomeResearch model

Study model describes the source. Confidence depends on methods, replication, population and outcome.

Loading compound research…