Inclusion of a compound does not constitute endorsement. Information sourced from published research and regulatory filings.

MK-677

Investigational

GH Secretagogue · Research compound (historical: Merck MK-0677)

Non-peptide, orally active growth hormone secretagogue. Mimics ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor to stimulate endogenous GH release. Investigational — not FDA-approved for any indication. Administered orally, so reconstitution calculations do not apply.

About

Mechanism

Non-peptide ghrelin mimetic. Agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). Increases pulsatile GH release and downstream IGF-1 without raising cortisol in most studies.

Half-Life

Approximately 24 hours

Route

oral

Frequency

Once daily, oral

Clinical Dosing

10-25 mgonce daily, oral

Not FDA-approved for any indication. As a non-peptide oral small molecule, it is not on the FDA peptide Category 2 list. Oral administration — reconstitution does not apply.

Dosing based on small human studies or early-phase trials. Not established by Phase 3 evidence.

Regulatory Status

FDA Category

Research compound (investigational). Not FDA-approved. Oral small molecule — not subject to the FDA peptide Category 2 restrictions.

Reclassification

stable

Status based on publicly available FDA communications. Verify at FDA.gov for authoritative guidance.

View full regulatory timeline →

Titration Protocols

Published Human Dosing

Source: Nass et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2008

Dose	Duration	Draw (10 mg capsule in 0mL)	Notes
25 mg	Maintenance	0.00 mL (0 units)	Oral, once daily. Dose used across multiple published human trials.

Available Vial Sizes

10 mg

10 mg capsule

25 mg

25 mg capsule

Citations

[1]Effects of an Oral Ghrelin Mimetic on Body Composition and Clinical Outcomes in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 149(9), 601-611. Link(Reviewed: 2026-04-14)
[2]MK-677, an Orally Active Growth Hormone Secretagogue, Reverses Diet-Induced Catabolism. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 83(2), 320-325. Link(Reviewed: 2026-04-14)