Educational reference only. Not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any protocol.
Sermorelin
Sermorelin Acetate (GRF 1-29 NH₂)
What it is
A synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the first 29 residues of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), retaining full biological activity at the GHRH receptor. Sermorelin was studied in clinical trials and received FDA approval in the 1990s for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (marketed as Geref), but was voluntarily discontinued in 2008 for commercial reasons unrelated to safety or efficacy. It is one of the most frequently discussed GHRH analogues in anti-aging and optimization communities in the context of pulsatile GH stimulation, body composition, and sleep quality.
Community-reported ranges
Ranges sourced from FDA prescribing information (Geref), published clinical literature, and community forums. Not dosing guidance.
Reported dose range
100–300 mcg
Estimated half-life
~10-20 minutes
Source: clinical pharmacokinetic data (Geref prescribing information; Ishida et al. 2020, JCSM Rapid Communications)
Reported cycle length
12–26 weeks on
4-8 weeks off
Route
subcutaneous
Common vial sizes
2mg, 5mg
Reported timing
30-60 min before bedtime, fasted
Reported frequency
1x daily (some report 5 days on / 2 days off)
Frequently discussed alongside
Based on community forum discussions. Not a recommendation to combine compounds.
Published research
Sermorelin was evaluated in multicentre RCTs for pediatric GHD (Geref International Study Group, PMID 8772599) and in age-advanced adults (Khorram et al. 1997, PMID 9141536), demonstrating increased GH secretion, improved body composition, and enhanced sleep quality. Sigalos et al. (2017, PMID 28830317) studied sermorelin combined with GHRP-2/GHRP-6 in hypogonadal men, observing significant IGF-1 elevation. Its mechanism preserves physiological pulsatile GH release via somatostatin feedback, distinguishing it from exogenous rhGH. Community-reported dosing ranges are extrapolated from clinical data and published literature.
Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.
BioDrugs
Khorram O, Laughlin GA, Yen SS. Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sigalos JT et al. Growth hormone secretagogue treatment in hypogonadal men raises serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels.
American Journal of Men's Health
Reported side effects
From community self-reports. Not from controlled studies.
In clinical trials: injection site reactions (~16%), transient facial flushing, headache, dizziness, and anti-sermorelin antibody formation (clinical significance not established). Community users have reported mild water retention, headache in early use, occasional joint discomfort (dose-related), and rare numbness/tingling. Generally considered to have a favorable side effect profile among GH secretagogues.
Regulatory status
FDA (United States)
Previously FDA-approved (NDA 19-863 diagnostic 1990; NDA 20-443 therapeutic 1997 as Geref). Voluntarily discontinued 2008; NDA withdrawn June 2009. FDA determined discontinuation was NOT for safety or effectiveness reasons (Federal Register, March 2013). Not on Category 2 compounding list — legally compoundable by 503A and 503B pharmacies.
Health Canada
Not authorized as a therapeutic product. No DIN assigned.
WADA (Competitive Athletes)
Prohibited at all times under S2.2.4 — Growth Hormone Releasing Factors. Specifically named: 'GHRH and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin).' Classified as a Specified Substance.