MK-677 (Ibutamoren) dosing & administration
The oral growth hormone secretagogue that tricks your body into producing more GH — no needles required.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Dosing
How much do I take?
Oral: Taken by mouth as a capsule, tablet, or liquid.
Bioavailability Varies by compound — many peptides are largely broken down in the gut, so little reaches the blood intact; some small molecules absorb well.
Titration schedule
10 mg
Frequency
Once daily
Duration
2-4 weeks initial
Lower entry dose used in practice to limit water retention and appetite surge before titrating up.
Timing
Best time to take
Morning (helps with daytime GH elevation) or early evening (does not significantly disrupt sleep despite oral bioavailability)
With food?
Can be taken with or without food. Food may slightly slow absorption but does not meaningfully reduce effectiveness.
If stacking
Once-daily dosing makes it easy to stack with other compounds. Take alongside morning protein and micronutrients for optimal recovery support.
Adjusting your dose
Increase if
- Tolerating 10 mg well after 3 weeks with minimal side effects
- Not seeing IGF-1 elevation after 2-3 weeks at current dose
- Comfortable appetite increase and no metabolic concerns
Decrease if
- Severe increased appetite affecting eating patterns or energy
- Joint pain, carpal tunnel, or fluid retention becomes bothersome
- Fasting glucose elevates significantly (> 20 mg/dL above baseline)
Signs of right dose
- Energy and strength gains visible in 4-6 weeks
- Improved sleep quality and recovery
- Measurable increase in lean mass without excess fat gain
Administration
How do I use it?
Injection
Route
Oral administration — no injection required. Simply swallow the capsule with water or measure the liquid dose with a dropper.
Best sites
Storage
Before reconstitution
Store in original packaging in a cool, dry place (68-77°F / 20-25°C). Protect from direct sunlight and excess moisture. Do not expose to temperatures above 86°F (30°C).
After reconstitution
Capsules remain shelf-stable at room temperature. Liquid suspensions must be refrigerated (36-46°F / 2-8°C) and used within 30-60 days. Do not freeze.
Signs of degradation — discard the vial
Sample daily schedule
Morning (7-9 AM)
25 mg (1 capsule) injection
Site: Oral — swallow with water
Timing with breakfast is flexible but consistent timing optimizes GH pulse patterns. Morning dose supports daytime energy and GH elevation.
Evening (6-8 PM, if preferred)
25 mg (1 capsule) injection
Site: Oral — swallow with water
Some users prefer evening dosing. MK-677 does not significantly disrupt sleep despite oral absorption. Choose the time you can maintain consistently.
Safety
Is it safe?
Side effects
Commonly reported: Increased appetite, Mild water retention or edema, Elevated fasting glucose
Less common: Joint or muscle pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve compression symptoms, Mild nausea or digestive upset
Stop and seek help if
- Fasting glucose becomes elevated and uncontrollable (> 130 mg/dL despite diet changes)
- Severe allergic reaction such as itching, swelling, or breathing difficulty
- Joint pain or carpal tunnel symptoms worsen and persist beyond 3 weeks
- Blood pressure elevation becomes problematic (systolic > 150 mmHg)
- Suspicion of liver or kidney dysfunction (yellowing of skin, dark urine)
- Planned surgery or medical procedure (discontinue 2 weeks before)
This list is for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Stop use and consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any concerning symptoms. Individual responses vary, and a doctor can help determine if MK-677 is appropriate for your health profile.
Flagged pairings
- Insulin or insulin secretagogues (metformin, sulfonylureas) — Risk of hypoglycemia. MK-677 raises blood glucose; combining with insulin-lowering drugs can cause dangerously low blood sugar.
Published research
What the studies show
Nass R, et al. · 2008
In a 2-year randomized controlled trial with 65 healthy adults aged 60-81, MK-677 at 25 mg daily significantly raised growth hormone and IGF-1 to youthful levels. The treatment group gained 1.1 kg of fat-free mass compared to a 0.5 kg loss in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body weight increased by about 2.7 kg overall. The most common side effects were increased appetite (which improved after several months), mild swelling, and mild muscle pain. Fasting glucose increased slightly, while LDL cholesterol decreased. The compound was well tolerated over the full 2 years.
Campbell GA, et al. · 2018
In a crossover randomized controlled trial of 22 hemodialysis patients, MK-0677 produced a 65 percent greater increase in IGF-1 compared to placebo (p < 0.001). No serious adverse effects were observed. This research demonstrates promise for treating protein-energy wasting in patients with kidney disease—a condition where muscle loss threatens quality of life.
Sevigny JJ, et al. · 2008
In a Phase 2 randomized controlled trial with 512 Alzheimer's disease patients, MK-677 raised IGF-1 levels as expected but did not slow cognitive decline or disease progression compared to placebo. The compound was well tolerated with no safety concerns. Although it successfully elevated IGF-1, raising this hormone alone was not sufficient to treat Alzheimer's pathology.
Tian J, et al. · 2019
In mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, MK-677 successfully improved neurogenesis—the growth of new brain cells—but could not prevent hippocampal damage and neuronal loss caused by Alzheimer's pathology. This suggests MK-677 activates growth and repair mechanisms but cannot overcome the fundamental disease process.
Patchett AA, Nargund RP, Tata JR, et al. · 1995
The original Merck design paper: MK-0677, a spiroindoline-class compound, releases GH from rat pituitary cells with EC50 1.3 nM, is mechanistically indistinguishable from GHRP-6, and elevates GH in dogs after oral doses as low as 0.125 mg/kg with specificity for GH over aldosterone, LH, thyroxine and prolactin.
Copinschi G, Leproult R, Van Onderbergen A, et al. · 1997
Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover in young and older adults: 25 mg MK-677 at bedtime increased stage IV (deep) sleep by about 50% and REM sleep by more than 20% in young subjects, and increased REM sleep nearly 50% in older adults, with fewer deviations from normal sleep.
Chapman IM, Bach MA, Van Cauter E, et al. · 1996
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 32 healthy 64-81 year olds: 25 mg once daily orally raised mean 24-h GH 97% by enhancing existing pulsatile secretion (higher pulse height and interpulse nadir) and restored serum IGF-I to the normal range of young adults; fasting glucose rose from 5.4 to 6.8 mmol/L at 4 weeks.
Svensson J, Lonn L, Jansson JO, et al. · 1998
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 24 obese men: 25 mg daily for 8 weeks increased serum IGF-I ~40%, significantly increased fat-free mass by DXA, and raised GH and prolactin from the first dose; total and visceral fat were unchanged, and oral glucose tolerance testing showed impaired glucose homeostasis at 2 and 8 weeks.
Studied for
Conditions MK-677 (Ibutamoren) has been researched in
Want the full picture?
The complete MK-677 (Ibutamoren) research profile: mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.