MK-677 Safely Increases GH and IGF-1 in GH-Deficient Adults Over 4 Weeks | Research

The takeaway

Oral MK-677 (ibutamoren) at 10 and 25 mg/day for 4 weeks increased GH and IGF-1 levels in adults with GH deficiency, with good tolerability and dose-dependent effects.

Pill replaces injection?
Oral MK-677 increased GH and IGF-1 dose-dependently in GH-deficient adults — the first step toward replacing daily GH injections with a pill

What the researchers found

MK-677 at 10 and 25 mg/day increased GH and IGF-1 dose-dependently over 4 weeks in GH-deficient adults with acceptable safety, supporting its potential as oral GH replacement therapy.

Why it matters

Adults with GH deficiency currently need daily injections. An oral alternative that safely restores GH and IGF-1 levels would dramatically improve treatment convenience and compliance.

How the study worked

Open-label clinical trial evaluating MK-677 at 10 and 25 mg/day for 4 weeks in adults with GH deficiency. GH profiles, IGF-1, safety parameters, and tolerability assessed.

What this study cannot tell us

Open-label (no placebo). 4 weeks may not predict long-term efficacy or safety. Whether the GH/IGF-1 increases translate to clinical benefit was not assessed.

How to read the evidence

Moderate evidence from a clinical trial in the relevant patient population, limited by open-label design and short duration.

When this study was published

Published in 2001. MK-677 has not been FDA-approved for GH deficiency, but studies like this have informed ongoing clinical development.

The bigger picture

Oral GH secretagogues could transform GH deficiency treatment from daily injections to a simple pill, making therapy accessible to many more patients who currently forgo treatment due to injection burden.

Questions still open

Does longer MK-677 treatment maintain efficacy without tachyphylaxis?
Do the GH/IGF-1 increases translate to improved body composition and quality of life?
What is the optimal long-term dose for GH replacement?

Common questions

Could a pill replace GH injections?

This study shows MK-677 taken as a daily pill increases GH and IGF-1 in people who lack sufficient growth hormone. While not yet approved for this use, it demonstrates the potential for oral GH replacement.

Is MK-677 safe for GH-deficient people?

In this 4-week study, it was well-tolerated with mild side effects (appetite increase, temporary water retention). Longer-term safety studies are needed, but short-term safety was acceptable.

Read the original research

Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.

Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 70(1), 91-8

View on PubMed ↗

Citation

Codner, E; Cassorla, F; Tiulpakov, A N; Mericq, M V; Avila, A; Pescovitz, O H; Svensson, J; Cerchio, K; Krupa, D; Gertz, B J; Murphy, G. (2001). Effects of oral administration of ibutamoren mesylate, a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, on the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in growth hormone-deficient children.. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 70(1), 91-8.