Anamorelin
Also known as: RC-1291, Anavex
An oral ghrelin receptor agonist approved in Japan for cancer cachexia. Stimulates appetite and increases lean body mass in wasting conditions.
Research Status
Moderate Clinical Data
For research purposes only. Not approved for human use. Not medical advice.
Research Areas
Side Effects
Intended therapeutic effect in cachexia; may cause weight gain if caloric intake exceeds expenditure in non-cachectic individuals.
Often transient and may diminish with continued use. Taking with food may reduce incidence.
Reported in clinical trials; typically mild and self-resolving.
May occur early in treatment; advise caution with position changes.
Ghrelin agonism may transiently increase cortisol; monitor in patients with adrenal or metabolic concerns.
GH-mediated effects; typically mild and reversible upon discontinuation.
GH is diabetogenic; monitor blood glucose in patients with diabetes or prediabetes.
Related to increased appetite and food intake; usually resolves with dose adjustment.
Reported infrequently in clinical trials.
Ghrelin agonists may affect cardiac function; contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled arrhythmias or acute cardiac disease. Requires medical evaluation if occurs.
Dosing Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dose range | 50-100 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily |
| Timing | Before first meal |
| Route | Oral |
Oral administration. Approved in Japan for cancer cachexia. Start at 50 mg daily; may increase to 100 mg based on tolerance and response. For research purposes only.
Research disclaimer
Figures drawn from published research literature and community logs. Not clinical recommendations. Consult a qualified professional. Research use only.
Reconstitution Guide
Do not use saline or bacteriostatic saline — use only bacteriostatic water for reconstitution
Do not shake the vial vigorously; gentle swirling prevents peptide degradation
Discard immediately if the solution appears cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particles
Use within 30 days of reconstitution when stored at 2–8°C
Do not freeze the reconstituted solution; freezing may denature the peptide
Use the PeptideVolt reconstitution calculator for your exact concentration
Molecular and Pharmacological Data
| Molecular weight | 389.52 |
| Half-life | 3-5 hours (oral) |
| Sequence | C₂₀H₂₇N₃O₃S (non-peptide small molecule) |
Anamorelin is a selective ghrelin receptor (growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a) agonist that mimics the action of endogenous ghrelin. It stimulates growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary and increases appetite signaling in the hypothalamus, leading to increased food intake and preservation of lean body mass in catabolic states such as cancer cachexia.
Ghrelin Receptor Agonism (GHSR-1a)
Anamorelin binds to and activates the ghrelin receptor on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, directly stimulating growth hormone secretion and appetite-regulating neurons in the hypothalamus.
Growth Hormone Axis
Increased GH secretion promotes protein synthesis, reduces protein catabolism, and enhances lipolysis, counteracting the metabolic derangements of cancer cachexia.
Appetite Stimulation
Activation of orexigenic pathways in the hypothalamus increases hunger signals and food-seeking behavior, improving nutritional intake in patients with reduced appetite.
- Anamorelin is a non-peptide small molecule, not a peptide, but functions as a ghrelin mimetic
- Oral bioavailability is approximately 60-70% with peak plasma levels 1-2 hours post-dose
- Selective for GHSR-1a with minimal off-target receptor binding
- Effects on GH secretion are dose-dependent and sustained with daily dosing
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