What is sermorelin? Uses, evidence, and compounded status
Sermorelin asks the pituitary to release its own growth hormone rather than replacing it. That is a real distinction, and it is not the same as proven anti-aging benefit.
At a glance
Sermorelin is a lab-made copy of the active part of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the brain signal that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. FDA approved a sermorelin product, Geref, in 1990. It was later discontinued, and FDA has determined that it was not discontinued for safety or effectiveness reasons.1 Sermorelin prescribed in the U.S. today is compounded by licensed pharmacies and is not FDA-approved. Evidence for its use in healthy adults for aging, energy, or body composition is limited.
In this guide7 sections
How sermorelin works
Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid peptide that matches the active portion of natural GHRH. It binds receptors in the pituitary gland and prompts it to release growth hormone, which in turn raises IGF-1, a hormone made mostly in the liver.
That is different from taking growth hormone itself. Because sermorelin works through the pituitary, the body’s own feedback signals still apply. Some clinicians have argued that this makes it a gentler approach for adults with low growth hormone2, but that idea has not been settled by large trials.
Its FDA history
FDA approved sermorelin acetate under the brand name Geref in 1990. The brand product was later discontinued, and FDA’s drug database records a Federal Register determination that it was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons.1
No FDA-approved sermorelin product is on the market today. When a clinician prescribes sermorelin, a licensed U.S. pharmacy compounds it for that patient. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved, which means FDA has not reviewed that preparation for safety, effectiveness, or quality.3
How it is used today
Sermorelin is usually injected under the skin with a small needle, often at bedtime, because the body releases much of its growth hormone during sleep. The dose and schedule are set by the prescribing clinician, who may check IGF-1 and other labs before and during treatment.
People ask about sermorelin for energy, sleep, recovery, and body composition as they age. Those are reasonable goals to discuss, but they are not proven outcomes of sermorelin in healthy adults. For a wider view of the category, read what peptide therapy is.
What is known and what is not
Most controlled research on sermorelin is decades old and focused on diagnosing and treating growth hormone deficiency, much of it in children. The modern use in adults seeking healthier aging rests on much thinner evidence.
- Known: sermorelin stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone
- Known: a sermorelin product was FDA-approved and later discontinued for reasons other than safety or effectiveness
- Not established: benefits for aging, energy, or muscle in healthy adults
- Not established: long-term safety of years of use in adults
Safety questions to raise
Reported side effects include injection-site redness or pain, headache, flushing, and dizziness, and allergic reactions are possible. Because growth hormone and IGF-1 influence cell growth, clinicians are cautious when someone has active or recent cancer. Pregnancy, diabetes, and thyroid conditions also matter.
Avoid products sold as research peptides or not for human use; they are not a substitute for a prescription filled by a licensed pharmacy. At Everdawn, sermorelin is $149 a month, including the clinician visit, and a licensed clinician decides whether it is appropriate. Learn more about Everdawn longevity care and the longevity and peptides program.
Common questions
Is sermorelin the same as growth hormone?
No. Sermorelin is a releasing hormone that signals the pituitary to make and release its own growth hormone. Growth hormone injections supply the hormone directly.
Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
Not currently. A sermorelin product (Geref) was FDA-approved in 1990 and later discontinued. Sermorelin prescribed today is compounded by licensed pharmacies and is not FDA-approved.
Is sermorelin a steroid?
No. Sermorelin is a peptide, a short chain of amino acids. It is not an anabolic steroid.
Are research-peptide versions of sermorelin safe?
Products labeled for research use are not made or checked for human use. Sermorelin should come from a licensed pharmacy with a prescription from a licensed clinician.
References
- Source 1: FDA, Drugs@FDA: Geref (sermorelin acetate), NDA 020443 (opens in a new tab)
- Source 2: Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency? Clin Interv Aging, 2006 (opens in a new tab)
- Source 3: FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answers (opens in a new tab)
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This guide provides general educational information and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment decisions require an appropriately licensed clinician who understands your history and circumstances.
Images are illustrations, not Everdawn members or clinicians.