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Peptides / Sermorelin

Can be compoundedGrowth hormone-releasing hormone analogueFormerly FDA approved

Sermorelin

Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid copy of the active part of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the brain signal that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It was sold as Geref, approved by the FDA in 1990 to test for growth hormone deficiency and in 1997 to treat it in children. The maker stopped selling it in 2008 for business reasons, and in 2013 the FDA confirmed it was not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness.

Used for
Low growth hormone, anti-aging (off-label)
FDA status
Formerly FDA approved
Strongest evidence
FDA approved (children only)
Legal to compound in the US
Yes, with a prescription

Effects studied or claimed

What it is promoted for, and where each effect has actually been seen

  • Faster growth in children with growth hormone deficiencyApproved use
  • Higher growth hormone and IGF-1 levels in adultsSmall human studies
  • Better body composition, sleep and energy in older adultsClaimed

How it is thought to work

It triggers the pituitary to release its own growth hormone in natural pulses. The body's normal brake on growth hormone stays in place, which is the argument for it being gentler than injecting growth hormone directly.

What the evidence shows

In animals and the lab

Not the main evidence base; its effects were established in human studies.

In people

Solid evidence in children with growth hormone deficiency, which led to approval. In adults it reliably raises growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, but small studies have not shown convincing benefits for ageing, muscle or wellbeing.

Safety and unknowns

Injection-site reactions, flushing and headache are the most commonly reported effects. Long-term effects of raising growth hormone in healthy adults are not well studied, and raising IGF-1 is a theoretical concern for people with a history of cancer.

Regulatory status

Not under review. Because it was part of an FDA-approved medicine that was discontinued for business reasons, pharmacies can compound it with a prescription. It is no longer approved as a branded drug.

Compounded products are not FDA approved: the FDA does not check them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are sold. Use only a licensed pharmacy with a prescription.

Sources

Analysis

A former FDA drug now sold for healthy ageing

Peptide Evidence IndexBiology 9/10In people 5/10Index 6.0, rank 2 of 15See the full index

Sermorelin is the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone. Rather than supplying growth hormone directly, it prompts the pituitary gland to release more of its own. It was approved by the FDA as Geref for children with growth hormone deficiency, and was withdrawn in 2008 for commercial reasons, not safety. It is now widely prescribed by anti-ageing clinics through compounding pharmacies.

The rationale is that growth hormone and IGF-1 fall with age. A 1992 study showed that two weeks of twice-daily injections restored growth hormone and IGF-1 in older men to levels seen in younger men (Corpas and colleagues). In a study of 19 men and women aged 55 to 71, 16 weeks of nightly injections of a close analogue raised IGF-1 and skin thickness in both sexes, and increased lean body mass and insulin sensitivity in the men only (Khorram and colleagues, 1997).

Our view. sermorelin reliably raises growth hormone and IGF-1, which separates it from most peptides here. What remains unproven is whether that translates into better health or longer life in normal ageing; studies of growth hormone itself in older adults have shown modest gains in lean mass alongside side effects.

Studies and reports cited

  1. Corpas E et al. Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-(1-29) twice daily reverses the decreased GH and insulin-like growth factor-I levels in old men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1992
  2. Khorram O, Laughlin GA, Yen SS. Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]GHRH-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1997

Summary of published research for general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use this substance.

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General information, not medical advice. Do not buy or inject unregulated peptides.