MK-677 (ibutamoren) is the only orally active growth hormone secretagogue with a published Phase 2 trial — Nass et al. (2008) reported daily 25mg MK-677 increased GH and IGF-1 to young-adult levels in 65 healthy older adults over 2 years, with 1.1kg fat-free mass gain vs placebo. The buying problem is unique to MK-677: it ships in three formats (capsules, raw powder, liquid) with very different price-per-active-mg, and the salt form (L-tartrate) is heavier than the free base, which inflates apparent purity numbers if vendors don't disclose form.
Research-context information only. MK-677 (ibutamoren) is a research chemical not approved by the FDA for any indication. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.
This guide covers documented pricing per format, how to read an MK-677 COA, why salt vs free base matters, and red flags. For dosing itself, see the MK-677 dosing guide.
MK-677 is unique in the peptide space — it's an oral small molecule, not an injectable peptide, so most research peptide vendors don't carry it. The primary buying channel is Amazon, where COA-verified capsule products are available.
Understanding MK-677 Pricing
MK-677 ships in three formats:
Capsules — Most-cited format for dose consistency. Typically 10mg or 25mg per cap, 30-90 caps per bottle.
Raw powder — Cheapest per-mg but requires precision scale. 1g, 5g, 10g bulk sizes.
Liquid suspension — Variable concentration (typically 25mg/ml). Stability concerns documented in community discussions.
Three factors drive price: form, free base vs L-tartrate salt, and testing investment.
Current Market Pricing (2026)
60ct × 10mg capsules
$30-55
$1.25-2.30
Tolerance testing
60ct × 25mg capsules
$40-90
$0.67-1.50
Standard 25mg protocol — best all-around
30ml × 25mg/ml liquid
$35-80
$1.17-2.67
Variable — concentration drift documented
1g raw powder
$80-200
$2.00-5.00 (L-tartrate)
Bulk users with precision scale
5g raw powder
$300-700
$1.50-3.50 (L-tartrate)
Long-term protocols
The pattern: 25mg capsule bottles are the most-cited format. Liquid formulations vary the most in quality. Raw powder is cheapest per-mg but only useful with a 0.001g precision scale because the daily dose is small (25mg = 0.025g).
Cost Per Month at Common Doses
12.5 mg/day (half)
375mg
$20-45
25 mg/day (Nass protocol)
750mg
$60-150
50 mg/day (high)
1500mg
$80-180
$120-300
For current Amazon pricing on COA-verified capsules, see below.
How to Verify MK-677 Quality
MK-677 is unusual in the peptide market because it's a small molecule (not a peptide), which makes mass spec relatively straightforward but introduces a salt-form complication that doesn't exist for true peptides.
Free Base vs L-Tartrate Salt
Most research vendors ship MK-677 as the L-tartrate salt (624.78 Da, more stable in solid form), not the free base (528.66 Da). A 25mg capsule of L-tartrate contains roughly 21mg of active free base — about 84% by mass. Vendors that label "25mg MK-677" without specifying form may be selling 25mg of salt (≈21mg active) or 25mg of free base, which is a 19% difference in actual dose.
A legitimate COA explicitly states which form is in the bottle.
What a COA Should Include
Identity Confirmation
Mass spec confirming 528.66 Da (free base) or 624.78 Da (L-tartrate salt)
The specific form must be stated
Purity Testing
HPLC purity at 98%+
Single dominant peak, minimal degradation byproducts
Contamination Testing
Heavy metals
Residual solvents
For capsule products, microbial contamination
How to Verify a COA Is Legitimate
Third-party lab — Janoshik, MZ Biolabs, Colmaric most-cited
Verifiable task number at the lab's website
Recent date (within 6 months)
Batch match with the bottle/vial
Form specified — free base vs salt explicitly noted
Red Flags to Avoid
No COA available
Form not specified (free base vs L-tartrate)
Only in-house testing
Liquid formulations without stability data — many degrade significantly within weeks
Suspiciously low prices (capsules under $0.50/dose suggest underdosed product)
Vendor can't explain salt vs free base