macimorelin

Macimorelin is an orally active synthetic growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonist (ghrelin receptor agonist) used primarily for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). It stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland by activating growth hormone secretagogue receptors in the pituitary and hypothalamus. Macimorelin is a peptidomimetic that mimics ghrelin and increases GH levels dose-dependently. It was developed by Aeterna Zentaris in collaboration with CNRS and first synthesized at University of Montpellier. The drug offers an oral alternative to traditional parenteral GH stimulation tests such as insulin tolerance test or glucagon stimulation test. Macimorelin was FDA-approved in December 2017 under the brand name Macrilen for oral solution administration to diagnose AGHD[1][2][5][6][7][8].

Brand names

Macrilen

Other names

macimorelin acetate