Growth hormone
Capromorelin
A ghrelin-receptor agonist with older-adult research and FDA veterinary approvals; animal appetite products do not establish a human anti-aging treatment.
Randomized older-adult trial; early termination and veterinary-only approval evidence
Also known as: Entyce · Elura
Practical use
Evidence interpretation and clinical context
- Check the species first
- An approval badge is incomplete without the species and intended condition.
- Check what ended the trial
- Early termination and the number completing follow-up belong beside favorable results.
- Look beyond IGF-1
- Ask whether a claim is supported by a functional outcome rather than a hormone change alone.
Effects of an oral growth hormone secretagogue in older adults.
Overview
Capromorelin activates the ghrelin receptor and stimulates growth-hormone and IGF-1 signaling. Human development explored changes in body composition and function. The FDA products discussed here are Entyce for dogs and Elura for cats, with different veterinary indications.
Risks and limitations
The human trial reported fatigue, insomnia and small increases in fasting glucose, HbA1c and insulin-resistance measures. Veterinary safety findings and formulations cannot be assumed to describe human safety.
How to read this
An increase in IGF-1 shows that the hormonal pathway responded. It does not by itself establish less frailty, fewer falls or a longer life.
Research explained
Effects of an oral growth hormone secretagogue in older adults.
Who was studied
395 adults aged 65–84 with mild functional limitation were randomized in a trial intended to last two years; 284 completed 12 months.
What was found
At six months, pooled treatment groups gained 1.4 kg of lean mass versus 0.3 kg with placebo. Some performance measures improved, but the trial ended early under predetermined treatment-effect criteria.
What it cannot establish
Pooling several treatment groups, incomplete follow-up and early stopping limit interpretation. The study did not establish long-term disability or survival benefit.
Read the original studyWhat FDA approved
FDA describes Elura for managing weight loss in cats with chronic kidney disease and Entyce for appetite stimulation in dogs. These are species-specific veterinary approvals, not a human indication.
Supporting sourceMass and performance need separate evidence
A body-composition scan, a walking test and a fall or fracture outcome answer different questions. The older-adult trial supports investigation of function, not a promise that hormonal stimulation prevents aging.
Supporting sourceClaims versus findings
Incorrect inference
FDA-approved capromorelin means FDA-approved for people.
The FDA approval source here explicitly concerns cats and dogs.
Check the evidenceCommon questions
Does the animal product validate the human trial formulation?
No. Species, formulation and intended use remain separate evidence questions.
SourceSources
Effects of an oral growth hormone secretagogue in older adults.
What FDA approved — primary or official source
Sources checked 2026-10-01.
General education; not a personal treatment plan.