Skip to content
Peptides Codex
ENFR

Use the arrow keys to choose a result, Enter to open it, and Escape to close.

← Home
Research peptide

Hexarelin

Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue studied for potent GH-releasing activity and related receptor pharmacology.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

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

Reference backbone length
6 positions
Class
Research peptide
Function
Potent GH secretagogue
Context
Research compound

Among the more potent GHRP-class secretagogues in experimental literature.

Also known as: examorelin

Part of the Growth hormone & IGF peptides cluster

Overview

Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue studied for potent GH-releasing activity and related receptor pharmacology.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Synthetic hexapeptide

Primary research or clinical context: Research compound

Potency and desensitization themes

Research discussions often cover strong acute GH responses and questions of receptor desensitization with repeated exposure — important concepts in secretagogue education.

Sequence of the selected reference form

Sequence backbone for the reference form: Hexarelin parent hexapeptide amide. Termini, stereochemistry and modifications are described below.

HXAWFK

HXAWFK

X2 is D-2-methyltryptophan; F5 is D-Phe; terminal Lys6 is amidated.. X marks a noncanonical residue; see the expanded sequence and reference chemistry below.

Analyze sequences in the playground →

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Source-supported reference

The selected examorelin/hexarelin parent has six residues, D-2-methyl-Trp2, D-Phe5 and Lys6 amidation. The IUPHAR alias match is named an iodine-labelled Tyr-Ala-hexarelin tracer and cannot supply the parent chemistry.

Molecular form
Hexarelin parent hexapeptide amide
Species
Synthetic peptide; no natural source species applies
Termini (N / C)
Free L-histidyl amino terminus / L-lysinamide (Lys6-NH2)

Average reference mass · Molecular identity assessment: 2026-10-05

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Full sequence with modifications

H-His-D-Trp(2-Me)-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

Molecular formula
C47H58N12O6
Average reference mass
≈ 887
Backbone
Hexarelin parent hexapeptide amide
C-terminus
L-lysinamide (Lys6-NH2)
Identifiers

Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem.

Concentration math

Hexarelin — 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: Hexarelin parent hexapeptide amideAverage reference mass: 887 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 Hexarelin calculator on its own page →

Change log

Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.

  1. ChemistryPubChem formula updated to C47H58N12O6.

FAQ about Hexarelin

What is Hexarelin?+

Hexarelin (examorelin) is a synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue studied for potent GH-releasing activity and related receptor pharmacology.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Hexarelin?+

Canadian product status for Hexarelin 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 length of the selected reference form for Hexarelin?+

The selected reference form (Hexarelin parent hexapeptide amide) has 6 residues or residue-derived units in its backbone. Other forms in this family may have a different length.

Related peptides

Insulin
Hormone
Insulin is a 51-amino-acid peptide hormone that regulates blood glucose. It is the foundational peptide therapeutic and a reference point for modern peptide drug design.
Bremelanotide (PT-141)
Cyclic melanocortin-receptor agonist (approved medicine)
Bremelanotide, developed as PT-141, is a cyclic seven-residue analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that activates melanocortin receptors, with its effect on sexual desire attributed to MC3 and MC4 signalling in the brain. The FDA approved it in 2019 as Vyleesi, an on-demand subcutaneous autoinjector for premenopausal women with acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Nausea occurred in 40% of phase 3 participants, and a 2024 reanalysis found effect sizes from nil to small on most trial outcomes.
GHK-Cu
Cosmetic / research peptide
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a tripeptide found in human plasma at about 200 ng/mL at age 20 and 80 ng/mL by 60. It has a wide cell and animal literature on collagen synthesis, wound repair and anti-inflammatory signalling, a cosmetic market built on it, and — as a 2025 review notes — a surprising absence of clinical studies. Topical use is permitted as a cosmetic; it is not an approved drug.
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide (research compound)
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR; C101H152N28O22S2, ≈2,175 Da) encoded by a short open reading frame inside the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Discovered in 2015, it promoted metabolic homeostasis and reduced obesity and insulin resistance in mice, and translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress to regulate nuclear genes. Plasma levels decline with age. It is a research compound with no approval; its first phase 2 trial, in prediabetes, was recruiting in 2026.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Guan et al. (2023). Hexarelin alleviates apoptosis on ischemic acute kidney injury via MDM2/p53 pathway. Eur J Med Res
  2. 2.Rigamonti et al. (1999). Six-week treatment with hexarelin in young dogs: evaluation of the GH responsiveness to acute hexarelin or GHRH administration, and of the orexigenic effect of hexarelin. Eur J Endocrinol
  3. 3.Mao et al. (2014). The cardiovascular action of hexarelin. J Geriatr Cardiol
  4. 4.Semenistaya et al. (2015). Determination of growth hormone releasing peptides metabolites in human urine after nasal administration of GHRP-1, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin. Drug Test Anal
  5. 5.Massoud et al. (1997). Interaction of the growth hormone releasing peptide hexarelin with somatostatin. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)
  6. 6.Korbonits et al. (1999). Hexarelin as a test of pituitary reserve in patients with pituitary disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)
  7. 7.Massoud et al. (1996). The effect of repeated administration of hexarelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, and growth hormone releasing hormone on growth hormone responsivity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)
  8. 8.Jiang et al. (2022). Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation. Microvasc Res
  9. 9.PubChem — compound summary for Examorelin / Hexarelin (CID 6918297)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Examorelin (Hexarelin)
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.
You might also like: All peptides · Atlas · Research · Tools
Cite this: Peptides Codex — Hexarelin educational profile.
Tip: Use browser print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) for a clean PDF of this page.