Anamorelin
ONO-7643 / Adlumiz / RC-1291
An orally active ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist approved in Japan for cancer-related cachexia (Adlumiz). Anamorelin stimulates appetite, increases lean body mass, and promotes GH release without requiring injection. Unlike MK-677, it has a shorter half-life allowing more physiological GH pulsatility. Phase III ROMANA trials demonstrated significant improvements in lean body mass and appetite in cachectic cancer patients.
Half-life
~7 hours
Typical Dose
50–100 mg/day oral
60/100Route
oral
Category
growth_hormone
Evidence Overview
Strength of evidence across clinical, expert, and experimental lanes.
How Anamorelin is dosed in practice
Usually taken by mouth. Typical range: 50–100 mg/day oral. Half-life: ~7 hours. Each card gives the dose, frequency and duration from one evidence lane: Clinical (human trials), Expert (practitioner protocols) or Experimental (early or animal data). These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Work out the units to draw with the reconstitution calculator, how long a vial lasts with the vial duration calculator, and how levels fall between doses with the half-life calculator.
In the phase 3 ROMANA 1 and 2 trials in non-small cell lung cancer cachexia, 100 mg daily for 12 weeks raised lean body mass by about 1 kg while it fell about 0.5–1 kg on placebo, and improved appetite, without improving handgrip strength. Approved in Japan (2021) for cancer cachexia; the EU refused approval (2017), and it is not FDA-approved.
- Phase 3 trials ROMANA 1 and 2 (2016)
- Extension trial ROMANA 3 (2017)
- Study in Japanese patients with GI cancers (2019)
Endocrinologists and oncologists familiar with anamorelin use it for cancer cachexia and sarcopenia. Its oral bioavailability and shorter half-life (vs MK-677) are advantageous. Some anti-aging practitioners are exploring off-label use for age-related sarcopenia and appetite regulation.
- Japanese oncology clinical practice with Adlumiz
- International cachexia society treatment guidelines
- Anti-aging medicine practitioners — oral GH secretagogue protocols
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Upgrade to ProSafety & Contraindications
- Hormone-sensitive cancers (increases GH and IGF-1)
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (GH antagonizes insulin)
- Severe hepatic impairment (hepatically metabolized)
Anamorelin: common questions
What is Anamorelin?
An orally active ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist approved in Japan for cancer-related cachexia (Adlumiz). Anamorelin stimulates appetite, increases lean body mass, and promotes GH release without requiring injection. Unlike MK-677, it has a shorter half-life allowing more physiological GH pulsatility. Phase III ROMANA trials demonstrated significant improvements in lean body mass and appetite in cachectic cancer patients.
How is Anamorelin dosed?
Anamorelin is usually taken by mouth. Typical range in DoseCraft's library: 50–100 mg/day oral. Clinical (human trials): 100 mg/day oral; Once daily on empty stomach; 12 weeks (ROMANA 1 and 2); up to 24 weeks in the extension. Expert (practitioner protocols): 50–100 mg/day oral; Once daily, fasted; 12–24 weeks minimum for body composition effects. These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Is Anamorelin FDA-approved?
No. Anamorelin is not FDA-approved. It is an approved medicine in Japan; that approval applies there only, not in the US.
What is the half-life of Anamorelin?
DoseCraft's library lists a half-life of ~7 hours. Half-life sets how often a compound is dosed and how long it takes to clear: about five half-lives.
Who should not use Anamorelin?
Listed contraindications: Hormone-sensitive cancers (increases GH and IGF-1); Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (GH antagonizes insulin); Severe hepatic impairment (hepatically metabolized).
Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide regimen.
Page updated . How we grade evidence: methodology.