A nonpeptidyl secretagogue for growth hormone of the structure 3-amino-3-methyl-N-(2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1-{[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) (1,1′-biphenyl)-4-yl]methyl}-1H-1-benzazepin-3(R)-yl)-butanamide (L-692,429) has been identified. L-692,429 synergizes with the natural growth hormone secretagogue growth hormone-releasing hormone and acts through an alternative signal transduction pathway. The mechanism of action of L-692,429 and studies with peptidyl and nonpeptidyl antagonists suggest that this molecule is a mimic of the growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2(GHRP-6). L-692,429 is an example of a nonpeptidyl specific secretagogue for growth hormone.