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)
Format & Size Typical Price Range Price Per 25mg Dose Best For 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
Daily Dose Monthly Mass Monthly Cost (capsules) Monthly Cost (powder) 12.5 mg/day (half) 375mg $20-45 $40-90 25 mg/day (Nass protocol) 750mg $40-90 $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
Choosing the Right Format
Capsules vs Powder vs Liquid
Factor Capsules Raw Powder Liquid Cost per mg Mid ($1.20-3.50/25mg) Lowest ($1.50-5.00/25mg) Highest ($1.20-2.70/25mg) Dose accuracy High (fixed per cap) Low without precision scale Variable (concentration drift) Storage stability High (sealed caps) High (sealed bag) Moderate (degradation over weeks) Convenience High Low Mid Travel-friendly Yes No No (TSA issues)
Common community pattern: Capsules at 25mg are the most-purchased format. Raw powder is reserved for high-volume buyers with precision scales (0.001g resolution) running long protocols. Liquid is the least-recommended due to documented stability issues.
Vial/Bottle Size by Protocol
Tolerance testing:
A 60ct bottle of 10mg capsules is the smallest unit cited for assessing GI tolerance and water retention before committing to 25mg Roughly 2 months of supply at 1 cap/day
Standard 25mg/day protocol (the Nass dose):
60ct bottle of 25mg capsules — 2 months at 1 cap/day The most-cited size in community discussions and vendor sales data 3-4 bottles per 6-month cycle
Extended cycles (12+ months):
5g raw powder with precision scale — drops cost to $1.50-3.50 per 25mg dose Or a 90-180 capsule bulk bottle
Why MK-677 Stays on the Market Despite No FDA Approval
Merck developed MK-677 (ibutamoren) and ran Phase 2 trials in growth hormone deficiency, sarcopenia, and elderly fall recovery. The compound was not approved due to a combination of efficacy/risk-benefit considerations rather than safety failures — Nass and colleagues documented elevated insulin and reduced insulin sensitivity at 25mg/day, a class effect of GH elevation.
What this means for buyers:
No FDA-approved branded product to compare against Long oral half-life (~6 hours) allows once-daily dosing — the only oral GH secretagogue at scale Phase 2 dose data exists at 25mg/day for 1-2 years, providing a community-protocol anchor No prescribed compounding pathway — research vendors are the only commercial source
Vendor Evaluation Methodology
When comparing MK-677 vendors:
Price Competitiveness (40%)
Normalize to cost per 25mg dose (the Nass protocol unit). A vendor selling 25mg caps at $0.80/dose scores higher than $1.50/dose, all else equal. Powder pricing weighted separately because it requires a scale.
COA & Testing (30%)
Third-party labs (Janoshik, MZ Biolabs, Colmaric) Recent (within 6 months) Verifiable task number Form specified (free base vs salt)
Reputation (30%)
Community feedback, shipping reliability, customer service, multi-year track record.
Shipping and Storage
Order Arrival
Capsules: Sealed bottle, intact tamper seal, fixed cap count Powder: Sealed bag (often resealable), inside an outer bottle Liquid: Glass dropper bottle, intact seal, dose marker on dropper
Storage Guidelines
Format Temperature Duration Capsules Room temp, dry 24+ months sealed Capsules Refrigerated Extends shelf life Raw powder Room temp, dry, sealed 24+ months Liquid Refrigerated 6-12 months (variable) Reconstituted/opened liquid Refrigerated Use within stated window
Where to Buy
1
Ascension Peptides
9.5/1050% OFF · code THEPEPTIDECATALOG
Lowest effective pricing in the market after an exclusive 50% off through our link. Independent COA testing across the catalog.
2
EZ Peptides
9.6/1010% OFF · code thepeptidecatalog
Broadest verified catalog with QR-linked COAs on every product. Fast domestic shipping and a 30-day guarantee.
3
Ion Peptide
9.2/1015% OFF · code thepeptidecatalog
Strong blend lineup and competitive singles pricing. Pre-mixed combinations simplify reconstitution and dosing.
4
Glacier Aminos
9.3/1010% OFF · code thepeptidecatalog
Research peptide vendor with COA documentation and an exclusive 10% off discount.
5
Nura Peptide
9.2/1025% OFF · code thepeptidecatalog
Niche-format vendor — oral capsule peptides, pre-mixed nasal solutions, and a rare Reta + Cagrilintide combo blend, all 25% off with code thepeptidecatalog.
6
Dynamic Peptide
8.8/1010% OFF · code thepeptidecatalog
Longevity-focused catalog with third-party testing and transparent batch documentation.
7
Swiss Chems
9.2/1010% OFF · code THEPEPTIDECATALOG
Broad catalog with international shipping — useful for researchers outside the US.
Vendor Code Discount View Deal Ascension Peptides 50% off View deal → EZ Peptides 10% off View deal → Ion Peptide 15% off View deal → Glacier Aminos 10% off View deal → Nura Peptide 25% off View deal → Dynamic Peptide 10% off View deal → Swiss Chems 10% off View deal →
MK-677 Dosing Guide — protocols, timing, and cycle length MK-677 Dosing Guide — Nass protocol and community variations MK-677 Benefits — Phase 2 outcomes Compare MK-677 Prices by $/mg Calculate Your MK-677 Cycle Cost Current Peptide Deals & Coupons
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References
Citation Topic PMID Nass R, et al., Ann Intern Med (2008) 2-year MK-677 trial: GH/IGF-1 increases, FFM gain in older adults 18981485 Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW, Sex Med Rev (2018) GH secretagogue safety and efficacy review 28400207
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide.