Capromorelin is a synthetic, orally active ghrelin mimetic. It is not a peptide in the traditional sense, but a small molecule that mimics the actions of ghrelin, a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates growth hormone release and appetite. In veterinary medicine, it is approved for use in dogs to stimulate appetite and increase body weight, specifically lean body mass. As a growth hormone secretagogue, it acts by binding to and activating the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) in the brain. This activation leads to a cascade of events that ultimately result in increased secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. The primary application of Capromorelin in canine medicine is for the management of unintentional weight loss and poor appetite associated with chronic diseases. Its mechanism of action offers a unique approach compared to traditional appetite stimulants by also promoting lean body mass gain. (FDA label, DrugBank)
Deep dive
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Known interactions
Category rule: peptide × hormone
Note
Injectable peptides plus hormones can have overlapping or compounding effects that aren't always well characterized.
Track bloodwork with a provider; don't assume combinations are neutral.
Frequently asked
Sources referenced
["FDA label (Elanco Animal Health)", "DrugBank (DB14502)", "PubChem (CID 11707019)", "MedlinePlus (for general information on ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogues)"]
Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.
Related compounds
Others in the peptide category or studied for the same goals.