Ibutamoren (MK-677)

What is Ibutamoren (MK-677)?

Oral GH secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist), commonly grouped with SARMs but mechanistically distinct.

How Ibutamoren (MK-677) works

Agonizes ghrelin receptors to increase pulsatile growth hormone and downstream IGF-1.

Benefits & uses

• Raises growth hormone & IGF-1
• Improved sleep
• Muscle/recovery + fat loss support
• Non-hormonal (no testosterone suppression); oral, no injection

Common uses: GH/IGF-1 elevation, sleep quality, appetite support, lean-mass support.

Ibutamoren (MK-677) dosage

Ibutamoren (MK-677) half-life

Ibutamoren (MK-677) side effects

Strong hunger, water retention, transient lethargy, insulin resistance risk.

Warnings & monitoring

• Raises blood sugar — caution with diabetes/pre-diabetes; monitor glucose
• Raises IGF-1 — caution with active cancer
• Water retention/carpal-tunnel-like effects
• Gray-market; not approved for human use

Preparation & storage

Ibutamoren (MK-677) interactions

• with Ipamorelin

  Caution · mild

  Both stimulate GH secretion through similar pathways (ghrelin receptor / GHRH). Stacking provides diminishing returns while compounding appetite stimulation, water retention, and potential cortisol elevation.

  Timing: Choose one GH secretagogue; do not use both daily long-term

• with Metformin

  Caution · moderate

  MK-677 increases GH and can raise fasting glucose/insulin resistance. Metformin mitigates this effect and is sometimes co-prescribed. Monitor HbA1c and fasting glucose.

  Timing: Metformin taken with meals; monitor fasting glucose closely

• with CJC-1295

  Compatible · low

  Both stimulate GH release through different mechanisms (GHRH analog vs. ghrelin mimetic). Additive GH response expected. MK-677 may increase hunger significantly.

  Timing: CJC-1295 pre-bed fasted; MK-677 can be timed similarly for GH pulse synergy

• with Ipamorelin

  Compatible · low

  Complementary GH secretagogues. Ipamorelin is selective for GH release with minimal cortisol/prolactin; MK-677 provides sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation. Good recovery and body composition stack.

  Timing: Ipamorelin pre-bed fasted; MK-677 taken simultaneously for additive GH pulse

• with LGD-4033

  Compatible · low

  Popular lean mass stack. LGD-4033 is one of the most suppressive SARMs — expect testosterone suppression requiring PCT. MK-677 non-suppressive and complementary.

  Timing: Run MK-677 year-round; LGD-4033 in 8–12 week cycles with PCT

• with Ostarine

  Compatible

  A popular entry-level recomp stack. Ostarine preserves lean mass and strength while MK-677 boosts GH/IGF-1. Minimal suppression from Ostarine at low doses.

  Timing: Both can be run concurrently; MK-677 year-round, Ostarine 8–12 week cycles

• with Ostarine

  Compatible

  MK-677 elevates GH/IGF-1 while Ostarine activates androgen receptors selectively — a steady, non-suppressive lean-gain stack.

  Timing: MK-677 nightly, Ostarine morning, 12–16 weeks

• with RAD-140

  Compatible · low

  Common performance stack. RAD-140 provides androgenic muscle/strength effects while MK-677 boosts GH/IGF-1 for recovery and body composition. MK-677 can increase water retention.

  Timing: MK-677 can be run year-round; RAD-140 cycled in blocks

• with RAD-140

  Compatible

  MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a GH secretagogue, not a SARM — no androgenic suppression. Combined with RAD-140 it provides complementary anabolic stimulus (GH-axis + androgen receptor) without additive suppression.

  Timing: MK-677 before bed; RAD-140 in the morning

Commonly stacked with