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Ghrelin receptor agonist (orally active)

Anamorelin

Anamorelin is an orally active, centrally penetrant agonist of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor with appetite-stimulating and anabolic properties.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.

Length
n/a
Class
Ghrelin receptor agonist (orally active)
Function
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonist
Context
Investigated for cancer-associated cachexia; the EMA declined marketing authorization in 2017 and it is not authorized by Health Canada

An oral ghrelin mimetic studied in cancer cachexia for appetite and lean-mass effects.

Also known as: ONO-7643 · RC-1291 · ghrelin receptor agonist

Part of the Growth hormone & IGF peptides cluster

Overview

Anamorelin is an orally active, centrally penetrant agonist of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor with appetite-stimulating and anabolic properties. It has been studied for cancer-associated cachexia; the European Medicines Agency declined marketing authorization in 2017, and it is not authorized by Health Canada. This page is educational and is not medical advice.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Synthetic orally active small-molecule ghrelin mimetic

Primary research or clinical context: Investigated for cancer-associated cachexia; the EMA declined marketing authorization in 2017 and it is not authorized by Health Canada

Cachexia research focus

Cancer cachexia involves involuntary loss of weight and muscle. Anamorelin was evaluated for its ability to increase appetite and lean body mass, though regulators noted questions about the size and clinical meaningfulness of measured effects.

Ghrelin-mimetic class

Anamorelin activates the same receptor targeted by ghrelin and by peptide GH secretagogues. It is often discussed alongside macimorelin and relamorelin as an orally active member of the broader secretagogue conversation.

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Source-supported reference

Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.

Molecular form
Anamorelin (source record; form not independently established)
Species
Not established by this molecular identity audit
Termini (N / C)
Not specified / Not specified

Average reference mass

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Molecular formula
C31H42N6O3
Average reference mass
≈ 546.7
Status
Approved medicine in at least one jurisdiction (IUPHAR record)
Identifiers

Chemistry values: PubChem, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-10-01.

Clinical development snapshot

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 11 registered studies with “Anamorelin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.

Registered studies
11
Highest phase reached
Phase 3
Active in latest 100
2
Most recent update
2026-06-18
Most recently updated studies
NCTTitlePhaseStatusUpdated
NCT03035409Anamorelin Hydrochloride, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Counseling in Decreasing Cancer-Related Fatigue iPhase 2active not recruiting2026-06-18
NCT03637816Anamorelin Hydrochloride in Reducing Anorexia in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung CancerPhase 3active not recruiting2026-04-15
NCT04844970Anamorelin Study for Advanced Pancreatic CancerPhase 2terminated2025-11-17
NCT03743064A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Anamorelin HCl for the Treatment of Malignancy Associated WeighPhase 3completed2024-06-26
NCT03743051A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Anamorelin HCl for the Treatment of Malignancy Associated WeighPhase 3completed2024-06-26
NCT04021706Effect of a Ghrelin Receptor Agonist on Muscle and BonePhase 1completed2024-03-27
See all on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Concentration math

Anamorelin — reconstitution calculator

Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.

Reference form: Anamorelin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 546.7 Da

Syringe graduation
Solution concentration
5 mg/mL5,000 mcg/mL
mcg

Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.

Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.

Open the Anamorelin calculator on its own page →

FAQ about Anamorelin

What is Anamorelin?+

Anamorelin is an orally active, centrally penetrant agonist of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor with appetite-stimulating and anabolic properties. It has been studied for cancer-associated cachexia; the European Medicines Agency declined marketing authorization in 2017, and it is not authorized by Health Canada. This page is educational and is not medical advice.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Anamorelin?+

Canadian product status for Anamorelin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.

What is the typical length of Anamorelin?+

Anamorelin is not a classic amino-acid chain peptide in the same sense; see the profile for classification details.

Related peptides

PE-22-28
Research peptide
PE-22-28 is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from spadin, developed as a shortened analog that inhibits the TREK-1 potassium channel. It has been examined in rodent neuroscience studies and is not authorized as a medicine by Health Canada.
Cortexin
Polypeptide complex
Cortexin is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide complex extracted from cerebral cortex tissue, studied largely in Russian neuroscience literature. It is marketed as a drug in some countries but is not authorized by Health Canada.
Pinealon
Research peptide
Pinealon is the synthetic tripeptide Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR), one of the Khavinson short-peptide bioregulators. Its evidence is rodent, cell-culture and small uncontrolled Russian human observations reporting antioxidant and neuroprotective effects; no registered clinical trial exists and it is not an approved medicine in the US, Canada or the EU.
Teverelix
GnRH antagonist (decapeptide analog)
Teverelix is a synthetic decapeptide GnRH antagonist that binds competitively and reversibly to pituitary GnRH receptors, suppressing luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. It is an investigational compound studied in prostate disorders and is not authorized by Health Canada. This page is educational and is not medical advice.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Prommer (2017). Oncology Update: Anamorelin. Palliat Care
  2. 2.Gameli et al. (2023). Metabolism Study of Anamorelin, a GHSR1a Receptor Agonist Potentially Misused in Sport, with Human Hepatocytes and LC-HRMS/MS. Metabolites
  3. 3.Yanagimoto et al. (2025). Effect of anamorelin on body weight in patients with gastric cancer-associated cachexia: an observational study. Gastric Cancer
  4. 4.Temel et al. (2016). Anamorelin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and cachexia (ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2): results from two randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials. Lancet Oncol
  5. 5.Boku et al. (2025). Anamorelin in Cancer Cachexia: Gut Microbiota Effects and CONUT Score as a Predictor of Response. In Vivo
  6. 6.Dawson-Hughes et al. (2024). Effect of Anamorelin, a Ghrelin Receptor Agonist, on Muscle and Bone in Adults With Osteosarcopenia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab
  7. 7.Yamamoto et al. (2025). Efficacy and safety of anamorelin for cancer cachexia in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer: a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine
  8. 8.Nishie et al. (2022). Anamorelin for cancer cachexia. Drugs Today (Barc)
  9. 9.PubChem — compound summary for Anamorelin (CID 9828911)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Anamorelin
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
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