What it is
Sermorelin is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analog comprising the first 29 amino acids of natural GHRH. It has long been used in clinical settings, including anti-aging clinics, to support the body's own growth hormone production rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under growth hormone, the same category as CJC-1295 (No DAC) and tesamorelin, all of which are studied for stimulating the pituitary gland rather than replacing growth hormone outright.
How it's thought to work
Sermorelin is studied for binding pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate the body's own pulsatile growth hormone release, meaning it works with the body's natural feedback regulation rather than introducing growth hormone from an outside source. This is described as a key distinction from direct growth hormone administration, since the pituitary retains control over how much hormone is ultimately released.
What the research says
Sermorelin was historically FDA-approved under the brand name Geref and used diagnostically to test for growth hormone deficiency. That branded product has since been discontinued, though there is extensive clinical familiarity with the compound from its approved history.
Reported side effects
Reported side effects include injection site reactions, flushing, headache, and mild water retention, generally described as milder than those associated with direct growth hormone administration. No serious safety signals are described in the available material.
Reconstitution
Sermorelin is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 2 mg and 5 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 2,500 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 2,500 × 0.01 = 25 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
Sermorelin's original branded product, Geref, was FDA-approved but has since been discontinued; compounded versions available today are used off-label and are not themselves FDA-approved products, which is an important distinction from a currently marketed, regulator-reviewed medicine.
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is sermorelin?
A GHRH analog made of the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone releasing hormone, historically FDA-approved as Geref and used to support the body's own growth hormone production.
How is sermorelin thought to work?
It binds pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate the body's own pulsatile growth hormone release, preserving natural feedback regulation.
What does the research on sermorelin say?
It was FDA-approved as Geref for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency; that branded product has since been discontinued, though clinical familiarity with the compound is extensive.
What are the reported side effects of sermorelin?
Injection site reactions, flushing, headache, and mild water retention, generally milder than effects reported with direct growth hormone.
How much is one unit from a 5 mg Sermorelin vial?
With 2 mL of BAC water, a 5 mg vial is 2,500 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 25 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Sermorelin — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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