Capromorelin: How a Ghrelin Receptor Drug Became the First FDA-Approved Pet Appetite Stimulant
Capromorelin, a ghrelin receptor agonist, is FDA-approved for appetite stimulation in dogs and cats, providing proof-of-concept for the drug class.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Capromorelin acts on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR-1a), the same receptor activated by the natural hunger hormone ghrelin. When natural ghrelin production is disrupted, capromorelin substitutes to stimulate growth hormone release and appetite.
In dogs, capromorelin (Entyce) increases food intake and is FDA-approved for appetite stimulation. In cats, capromorelin (Elura) is approved for managing weight loss associated with chronic kidney disease. The drug also stimulates growth hormone and IGF-1, which may help prevent muscle wasting and cachexia.
Key Numbers
- FDA-approved for dogs: May 2016 (Entyce, Aratana Therapeutics)
- FDA-approved for cats: 2020 (Elura, Elanco)
- Target: GHSR-1a (growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a)
- Effects: appetite stimulation, growth hormone release, IGF-1 increase
How They Did This
Narrative review of published literature covering the discovery, development, efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of capromorelin in veterinary medicine.
Why This Research Matters
Ghrelin receptor agonists have been studied for decades in humans for appetite stimulation, growth hormone deficiency, and cachexia. Capromorelin's success in veterinary medicine provides proof-of-concept for this drug class. Understanding its effects in dogs and cats may inform future human applications of ghrelin receptor agonists.
The Bigger Picture
Ghrelin receptor agonists have been studied for decades in humans for cachexia, anorexia, and growth hormone deficiency. Capromorelin's veterinary approval provides real-world validation of the drug target.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
This is a veterinary medicine review. Results in dogs and cats may not directly translate to humans. The review does not include new original data. Capromorelin's long-term effects in animals are still being studied. The drug is not approved for human use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will capromorelin or similar drugs succeed in human clinical trials?
- ?Can ghrelin receptor agonists help cancer cachexia patients?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- First FDA-approved ghrelin drug Capromorelin is the first drug targeting the ghrelin receptor to receive FDA approval for any species
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated strong: comprehensive review of a drug with FDA approval, covering extensive efficacy and safety data from the approval process.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2024, reviewing the full development history. Capromorelin has been in clinical use since 2016.
- Original Title:
- Insights on discovery, efficacy, safety and clinical applications of ghrelin receptor agonist capromorelin in veterinary medicine.
- Published In:
- Veterinary research communications, 48(1), 1-10 (2024)
- Authors:
- Rathore, Manisha, Das, Nabanita, Ghosh, Nayan, Guha, Rajdeep
- Database ID:
- RPEP-09125
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is capromorelin used for?
It's an FDA-approved appetite stimulant for dogs and cats that works by mimicking the hunger hormone ghrelin.
Could a ghrelin drug help humans with appetite loss?
The veterinary approval validates the target. Human trials for cancer cachexia and age-related appetite loss are areas of active research.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-09125APA
Rathore, Manisha; Das, Nabanita; Ghosh, Nayan; Guha, Rajdeep. (2024). Insights on discovery, efficacy, safety and clinical applications of ghrelin receptor agonist capromorelin in veterinary medicine.. Veterinary research communications, 48(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-023-10184-0
MLA
Rathore, Manisha, et al. "Insights on discovery, efficacy, safety and clinical applications of ghrelin receptor agonist capromorelin in veterinary medicine.." Veterinary research communications, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-023-10184-0
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Insights on discovery, efficacy, safety and clinical applica..." RPEP-09125. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/rathore-2024-insights-on-discovery-efficacy
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.