Mecasermin FAQ: common questions answered
Prescription IGF-1 approved for rare childhood growth failure; low blood sugar is a major risk.
Also called: Increlex, rhIGF-1, Recombinant human IGF-I, Somatomedin C.
IGF-1 and analogues · Recombinant human IGF-1 replacement · Evidence: Approved drug.
- Is Mecasermin FDA-approved? Yes: Increlex (growth failure from age 2 due to severe primary IGF-1 deficiency, or GH gene deletion with neutralizing GH antibodies.). Not approved for adult bodybuilding, anti-aging, secondary IGF-1 deficiency or replacement of GH for GH indications.
- How do people take it? Under the skin, twice daily. Source: drug label.
- What's the difference between Mecasermin and Somatropin? Mecasermin: prescription IGF-1 approved for rare childhood growth failure; low blood sugar is a major risk. Somatropin: prescription human growth hormone, with no proven anti-aging benefit. Why people pair them: pediatric researchers tested whether combined replacement increases height velocity.
- Can I take it with Growth hormone? Pediatric researchers tested whether combined replacement increases height velocity. This selected pediatric study does not validate adult bodybuilding combinations. Source: studied in a trial. Ask a doctor before combining anything.
- Is it banned in sport? Yes. It is banned in and out of competition (WADA 2026). IGF-1, mecasermin and IGF-1 analogues are prohibited in and out of competition.
- How do I store it once opened? After first puncture: refrigerate at 2–8°C, away from direct light. Discard after 30 days.
Related to Mecasermin
- IGF-1 LR3: An unapproved growth signal with no human trials found.
- Somatropin: Prescription human growth hormone, with no proven anti-aging benefit.
Sources
- Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Purple Book Search, FDA · 2026
- The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA · 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2026) Instrument 2026, Australian Government · Australian Government · 2026
- INCRELEX (mecasermin) current prescribing information, revised October 2025, Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · DailyMed / Eton Pharmaceuticals · 2025
- INCRELEX (mecasermin) injection, for subcutaneous use, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA · 2025
- INCRELEX (mecasermin) injection, for subcutaneous use, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA · 2024
- Notice to Compounders: Changes that affect compounding as of March 23, 2020, FDA · 2020
- Tailor Made Compounding LLC - 594743 - 04/01/2020, FDA · FDA · 2020
- AusPAR: Mecasermin, Therapeutic Goods Administration
- Increlex, European Medicines Agency
- Increlex, INN-mecasermin, European Medicines Agency
- Know When to Go to the ER, American College of Emergency Physicians · American College of Emergency Physicians
- Mecasermin (Increlex▼): risk of benign and malignant neoplasia, MHRA
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
Information only, not medical advice. Peptifacts does not sell anything and does not link to sellers.