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
10mg · sold research-use-only · we may earn a commission
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.
Niche-format vendor — oral capsule peptides, pre-mixed nasal solutions, and a rare Reta + Cagrilintide combo blend, all 25% off with code thepeptidecatalog.
Most cloudy reconstitutions trace back to one thing — and it isn't the peptide. Sterile, non-pyrogenic, 0.9% benzyl alcohol — formulated for peptide reconstitution, not repackaged from generic stock.
✓ 0.9% benzyl alcohol✓ Made for peptides✓ 30 mL multi-dose
30ml from $18.75 · Ships fast · Code thepeptidecatalog
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MK-677 legal to buy?
MK-677 (ibutamoren) is sold as a research chemical labeled 'not for human consumption.' It is not FDA-approved. WADA prohibits MK-677 in athletic competition. Purchasing research chemicals is legal in most US jurisdictions, but the product is not regulated as a drug.
How much does MK-677 cost per month?
At the most-cited 25mg/day community protocol, monthly cost is $30-90 depending on format. 60-capsule bottles at 25mg run $40-90 each; bulk powder runs $80-200 per gram (40 doses).
What format should I buy — capsules, powder, or liquid?
Capsules are the most-cited format for accurate dosing. Powder requires a precision scale (0.001g) — without one, dose error is large. Liquid formulations vary in concentration and stability; many are documented as inconsistent. Most vendors sell capsules at fixed 10mg or 25mg per cap.
What purity should I look for in MK-677?
Third-party HPLC at 98%+ purity, plus mass spec confirming 528.66 Da (MK-677 free base) or 624.78 Da (the L-tartrate salt form most vendors ship). The salt form is heavier — vendors that ship the salt and label it 'pure ibutamoren' have failed disclosure unless the COA explicitly notes the form.
Why do MK-677 prices vary so much between vendors?
Three reasons: (1) form factor — capsules cost more to manufacture than raw powder, (2) salt vs free base — the L-tartrate salt is more stable but lower active mass per gram, and (3) testing investment — third-party COA vendors price 30-50% higher than untested vendors but verify the 25mg actually shipped.
Can I buy MK-677 from a pharmacy?
No. MK-677 has never been FDA-approved despite Phase 2 trials in growth hormone deficiency. It is not available through pharmacies or compounding pharmacies. Research vendors are the only documented commercial source.
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.
