Sermorelin
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Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
Sermorelin is listed as endocrine / ghrh analog.
- •Growth Hormone Deficiency (pediatric)
- •Adult GH optimization (compounded, off-label)
Regulatory status: FDA-Approved Rx (discontinued); Compounded Rx available.
Structure & Properties
Compound: Sermorelin; also known as Geref.
Pharmacologic class: Endocrine / GHRH Analog.
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
GHRH receptor agonist — stimulates pituitary to secrete endogenous GH; physiological pulsatile release preserved.
- •Preserves physiologic GH pulsatility
- •Improves sleep quality
- •Lean body mass support (off-label)
Human Research
Evidence grade: Clinical RCT (Phase III)
Clinical RCT (Phase III). Phase III pediatric GH trials.
Laboratory Research
Phase III pediatric GH trials
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
Once daily at bedtime on an empty stomach — leverages nocturnal GH surge.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Other GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, Tesamorelin)
- •Meals within 30 min
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Flushing
- •Injection site reactions
- •Headache
- •Theoretical IGF-1 elevation
Contraindications
- •Active malignancy
- •Hypersensitivity to GHRH
- •Pregnancy
- •Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- •Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- •Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- •Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- •Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- •Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- •Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 0.2–0.3 mg/day
Frequency: Daily at bedtime
Cycling: Commonly 5-day-on / 2-day-off; or 3 months on, 1 month off (off-label).
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Ipamorelin for GHRH + GHRP synergy
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is Sermorelin?
In plain words
Sermorelin is a peptide that copies a natural signal for releasing growth hormone. It tells the pituitary, a small gland beneath the brain, to release the body’s own growth hormone in pulses. Researchers have studied it in children who do not make enough growth hormone. Reported risks include flushing, headache, and reactions where it is injected.
Technical definition
Sermorelin (Geref) is an endocrine peptide analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) that acts as a GHRH receptor agonist. It stimulates the pituitary to secrete endogenous growth hormone while preserving physiological pulsatile release; evidence for pediatric growth hormone deficiency includes a Phase III randomized controlled trial. The FDA-approved prescription product was discontinued; compounded prescription preparations remain available, but are not themselves FDA-approved.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
30 minutes before bed, at least 2 hours after your last meal.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Commonly 5-day-on / 2-day-off; or 3 months on, 1 month off (off-label).
Timing & Interactions
- ·Other GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, Tesamorelin)
- ·Meals within 30 min
- ·Ipamorelin for GHRH + GHRP synergy
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Preserves physiologic GH pulsatility
- ·Improves sleep quality
- ·Lean body mass support (off-label)
Risks
- ·Flushing
- ·Injection site reactions
- ·Headache
- ·Theoretical IGF-1 elevation
Contraindications
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Hypersensitivity to GHRH
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- ·Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- ·Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- ·Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- ·Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- ·Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- ·Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- ·Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
FDA-Approved Rx (discontinued); Compounded Rx available
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for Sermorelin. Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Functional Groups
Cited Works
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