Growth Hormone Protocol
MK-677 (Ibutamoren)Complete Dosing & Administration Guide
The oral growth hormone secretagogue that tricks your body into producing more GH — no needles required.
Dose Range
10-25mg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Oral (capsule or liquid)
Cycle Length
8-12 weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
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
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
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The peptide weight is printed on the label
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The weight is on the label
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
- •N/A — taken by mouth
Technique
- 1.Step 1: Take one MK-677 capsule or measure the liquid dose (typically 1 mL for 25 mg) in the morning or early evening.
- 2.Step 2: Swallow with a full glass of water. No need to chew or open the capsule.
- 3.Step 3: Can be taken with or without food—choose what works best for your routine.
- 4.Step 4: Maintain consistent timing (same time each day) to optimize GH secretion patterns.
- 5.Step 5: No need for post-injection care, site rotation, or sterile technique—one of the major advantages of oral MK-677.
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
MK-677 has been studied in hundreds of humans over 2+ years and is generally well tolerated. Most side effects are mild and manageable, especially with lower starting doses. The lack of injection requirement makes it safer than injectable GH in terms of infection risk and sterility concerns. However, it is not FDA approved and should be viewed as a research compound.
Clinical evidence comes from Phase 1-2 trials in healthy older adults, Alzheimer's patients, and kidney disease patients. Long-term safety is supported by 2-year data. No Phase 3 pivotal trials have been completed, limiting approval pathway.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Increased appetite
Most users experience heightened hunger within the first 1-2 weeks. Appetite typically normalizes after 4-6 weeks as the body adapts. This occurs because MK-677 stimulates ghrelin signaling.
Management: Eat protein-rich meals to feel fuller longer. Stay hydrated. Consider taking MK-677 in the morning to manage hunger throughout the day. This side effect can be leveraged if you're trying to gain muscle.
Mild water retention or edema
Slight puffiness in hands, feet, or face may appear in weeks 2-4. This is usually mild and resolves with continued use. Related to increased IGF-1 and growth signaling.
Management: Increase potassium intake (bananas, sweet potatoes). Reduce sodium if bloating is bothersome. Compression socks may help with ankle swelling. Mild edema is not dangerous but can be uncomfortable.
Elevated fasting glucose
Fasting blood sugar may increase by 5-15 mg/dL, reflecting mild insulin resistance that typically develops with GH elevation. This is reversible and usually mild in healthy individuals.
Management: Monitor fasting glucose every 4 weeks. Maintain regular exercise and limit refined carbohydrates. If glucose rises > 30 mg/dL or exceeds 130 mg/dL, discontinue and consult a doctor.
Less Common
- •Joint or muscle pain
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve compression symptoms
- •Mild nausea or digestive upset
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
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.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Synergistic effect — both stimulate GH release. Stacking may amplify GH and IGF-1 elevation but increases side effect risk.
- ✓Complementary anabolic effects. MK-677 enhances protein synthesis; testosterone boosts muscle growth. Combination is effective but requires monitoring.
With medications
- !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.
- ✓Thyroid medications (levothyroxine) - MK-677 may increase metabolic rate slightly. Thyroid dose may need adjustment. Monitor TSH every 4-6 weeks.
- ✓Blood pressure medications - MK-677 may mildly elevate blood pressure. ACE inhibitors or ARBs may need dose adjustment. Monitor BP regularly.
- ✓Estrogen or hormonal birth control - Theoretical risk of interaction via hormone signaling. Use with medical supervision if taking hormonal medications.
With supplements
- ✓Creatine monohydrate - Synergistic for muscle gains. No safety concerns. Combination is common among athletes.
- ✓Whey protein or BCAAs - Complementary for muscle protein synthesis. MK-677 boosts anabolism; protein provides building blocks. Safe and synergistic.
- ✓Melatonin or sleep supplements - MK-677 enhances sleep; melatonin adds to this. Safe combination for better recovery. No contraindications.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete MK-677 (Ibutamoren) research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full MK-677 (Ibutamoren) Profile