Peptide LibraryMecasermin
Mecasermin is a research peptide in the IGF-1 receptor agonist class. Mecasermin is structurally identical to endogenous IGF-1 and acts directly at the IGF-1 receptor, bypassing the growth hormone receptor entirely. This is what makes it useful where growth hormone signalling is absent or blocked.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- —
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- —
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Approved
- Evidence level
- FDA Approved
- Human dose established
- Yes
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Twice daily, shortly before or after (± 20 minutes) a meal or snack
- Last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- Reviewed
- Nov 7, 2026
Research summary
Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and for growth hormone gene deletion with neutralising antibodies to growth hormone.
Research evidence
- Regulatory review (FDA label)2 reviewed sources
- Controlled human trialsNone in reviewed sources
- Early or uncontrolled human studiesNone in reviewed sources
- Lab & animal studiesNone in reviewed sources
How it works
Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess.
Peptide Library's Mecasermin profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Mecasermin dosage evidence
Mecasermin has an FDA-approved human dosage as Increlex, for growth failure in children aged 2 and older with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency, or with growth hormone gene deletion and neutralising antibodies to growth hormone. The label starts at 0.04–0.08 mg/kg twice daily by subcutaneous injection and allows increases of 0.04 mg/kg per dose to a maximum of 0.12 mg/kg twice daily. Each dose is given within 20 minutes before or after a meal or snack because mecasermin can cause hypoglycaemia.
| Human dosing established | Yes |
|---|---|
| Studied dose range | 0.04–0.12 mg/kg twice daily (weight-based, children) |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Frequency | Twice daily, shortly before or after (± 20 minutes) a meal or snack |
| Duration studied | Continuous while treating growth failure |
| Titration | Start at 0.04–0.08 mg/kg twice daily; if well tolerated for at least one week, increase by 0.04 mg/kg per dose to a maximum of 0.12 mg/kg twice daily. Reduce the dose if hypoglycaemia occurs despite adequate food intake. |
| Evidence level | FDA Approved |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-07 |
Research-reported dosing
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA label — Increlex, severe primary IGF-1 deficiencyFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Children aged 2 years and older with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency (height and basal IGF-1 SDS of –3.0 or lower with normal or raised growth hormone), or with growth hormone gene deletion and neutralising antibodies to growth hormone | 0.04–0.08 mg/kg to start; maximum 0.12 mg/kg | Subcutaneous only, rotating upper arm, thigh, buttock or abdomen; not intravenously | Twice daily, within 20 minutes of a meal or snack; the dose is withheld if the meal is skipped | Continuous | Treatment of growth failure | INCRELEX (mecasermin) injection (Eton Pharmaceuticals) — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| FDA label — Increlex (earlier Ipsen labelling)FDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Same population as above | 0.04–0.08 mg/kg to start; maximum 0.12 mg/kg (the same dosing text as the Eton label) | Subcutaneous | Twice daily, within 20 minutes of a meal or snack | — | Treatment of growth failure | INCRELEX (mecasermin) injection (Ipsen) — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
Where sources disagree
- The label warns that severe hypoglycaemia leading to seizures has occurred, which is why each dose is tied to a meal and withheld if the meal is skipped. It also lists malignant neoplasia seen in treated children, intracranial hypertension, tonsillar and adenoidal enlargement, slipped capital femoral epiphysis and progression of scoliosis.
- Increlex is preserved with benzyl alcohol, and the label does not recommend it in infants. It is not a substitute for growth hormone in approved growth hormone indications, and it is not indicated for secondary forms of IGF-1 deficiency.
- Mecasermin is recombinant human IGF-1, the same medicine described on the IGF-1 profile. It is not IGF-1 LR3 or IGF-1 DES, which are engineered analogues with no human dosing evidence of their own. It is supplied as a ready-made 10 mg/mL solution in a 40 mg/4 mL multiple-dose vial.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Mecasermin is structurally identical to endogenous IGF-1 and acts directly at the IGF-1 receptor, bypassing the growth hormone receptor entirely. This is what makes it useful where growth hormone signalling is absent or blocked. Because it is administered without IGF binding protein 3, free IGF-1 concentrations rise quickly and its insulin-like activity can lower blood glucose.
Studies
Research statistics
245 PubMed publications · 35.0% human clinical research · 32 registered trials
Counts of published research through 2026-11-01, not evidence that it works. Publications by year, study types and trials · How publications are counted
Regulatory & research status
Mecasermin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
How FDA approval, compounding and research-only status differ
Benefits
—
Mecasermin side effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
This compound is not supplied as a powder to be mixed, so the freeze-dried powder and reconstitution handling described for research peptides does not apply. Storage conditions are product-specific: follow the label or packaging of the product itself.
Mecasermin: frequently asked questions
What is Mecasermin?
Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 approved for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency and for growth hormone gene deletion with neutralising antibodies to growth hormone.
How does Mecasermin work?
Mecasermin is structurally identical to endogenous IGF-1 and acts directly at the IGF-1 receptor, bypassing the growth hormone receptor entirely. This is what makes it useful where growth hormone signalling is absent or blocked.
Is Mecasermin FDA approved?
Yes. Mecasermin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What peptides are similar to Mecasermin?
Compounds most often compared with Mecasermin include IGF-1 (overview), IGF-1 LR3, IGF-1 DES and MGF. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Mecasermin for primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency — Aust Prescr, 2022External reference
- Mecasermin (recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I) — Adv Ther, 2009External reference
- Mecasermin — BioDrugs, 2008External reference
- Mecasermin rinfabate: rhIGF-I/rhIGFBP-3 complex: iPLEX — Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol, 2008External reference
- Mecasermin rinfabate — Drugs Today (Barc), 2007External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Nov 7, 2026 · Version 2
This Mecasermin profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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