An oral compound that reliably raises the body's own growth hormone, modestly increasing lean weight, deepening sleep, sparing protein while dieting, and boosting appetite. Evidence that these changes yield better strength, function, or a longer life is lacking. Drawbacks include higher blood sugar, fluid retention, joint aches, and a theoretical long-term cancer concern. It stays unapproved and unregulated. (Full Review)

Protocol

Standard Dose

10–25 mg once daily

Oral; 25 mg used in most adult trials, 10–12.5 mg favored by cautious users

Timing

Morning or early evening

Night dosing can trigger hunger and disrupt sleep

Frequency

Once daily

Half-life 4–6 h, but a single dose raises IGF-1 for ~24 h

Time to effect

IGF-1 Rise

Within days

Primary biochemical effect

Lean Mass

Weeks to a few months

Measurable body-composition change with consistent use

Sleep & Appetite

1–2 weeks

Often noticed within the first one to two weeks

Benefits

High: Sustained growth hormone and IGF-1 elevation; increased lean mass

Medium: Reversal of diet-induced protein catabolism; improved sleep quality; increased bone turnover

Low: Appetite stimulation; muscle strength and physical function

Speculative: Skin, hair, connective tissue, and recovery

Contraindications

Active or prior cancer

Uncontrolled diabetes or prediabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5%)

Heart failure (NYHA Class III–IV)

Active diabetic retinopathy

Significant liver disease

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Children and adolescents (outside supervised trials)

Key Interactions

Insulin and sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide)

Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone)

Somatostatin analogs (octreotide)

Injected growth hormone or other secretagogues

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)

Water-retaining supplements (creatine)

GH/IGF-1-raising supplements (high-dose arginine)

Glucose-lowering agents (berberine, metformin)

Risk & Side Effects

High: Insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar; fluid retention and edema; increased appetite and unwanted fat gain

Medium: Joint and muscle aches; elevated cortisol and prolactin; heart-failure signal

Low: Liver injury; tiredness and lethargy

Speculative: Long-term cancer risk from chronic IGF-1 elevation; unknown long-term cardiovascular and mortality effects

Monitoring

Marker	Target	Why
IGF-1	Upper end of age/sex range, not above (~150–250 ng/mL)	Primary effect marker; supraphysiologic levels drive the main risks
Fasting glucose	70–90 mg/dL	Detects the main metabolic risk (insulin resistance)
HbA1c	<5.4%	Tracks average blood sugar over ~3 months
Fasting insulin	2–5 µIU/mL	Flags early insulin resistance before glucose rises
IGFBP-3	Mid-to-upper age-adjusted range	Puts IGF-1 in context (most IGF-1 is carried bound to it)
ALT / AST	ALT <25 U/L (men), <20 U/L (women)	Screens for the liver-injury signal seen in case reports
Fasting lipid panel	Triglycerides <80 mg/dL; HDL sex-appropriate	GH/IGF-1 shifts and metabolic changes can move lipids
Morning cortisol / prolactin	Within reference range	Detects the modest hormonal shifts some studies report

Cadence: Baseline, then at 4–8 weeks after starting, every 3 months for the first year, and every 6 months thereafter, with more frequent glucose checks if values trend upward

Qualitative Assessment

Sleep quality: depth, awakenings, and whether nighttime hunger is disrupting sleep
Energy and daytime alertness, watching for lethargy or fatigue
Appetite and body composition, distinguishing lean-mass gain from fluid and fat gain
Swelling: puffiness in hands, ankles, or face, and any shortness of breath
Joint comfort and recovery: aches, tingling, and training recovery

Ibutamoren Mesylate for Health & Longevity

Protocol

Benefits

Risk & Side Effects

Monitoring

Qualitative Assessment