Sermorelin
From PeptidePlaza, the free peptide reference · Entry #024 · Anti-Aging · Hand-curated entry · Editorial standards
Sermorelin (also known as GHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29, Sermorelin acetate) is a anti-aging research peptide. A synthetic 29-amino-acid fragment of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29), FDA-approved as a diagnostic agent for GH deficiency. Stimulates the pituitary to release endogenous growth hormone.
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It acts on the anterior pituitary to stimulate the synthesis and release of endogenous growth hormone, functioning as a GH secretagogue. It has been FDA-approved (Geref) for the diagnosis of GH deficiency in children and adults. Because it amplifies the body’s own GH pulse rather than introducing exogenous GH, it has become popular in "anti-aging" and body-composition research contexts, and as an alternative to recombinant hGH. It has a very short half-life and must be dosed multiple times daily or via pump in clinical use.
1 Mechanism of action
Binds the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) on pituitary somatotrophs, activating cAMP/PKA signaling and increasing GH gene transcription and release. Somatostatin opposes this effect, creating a pulsatile GH secretion pattern.
Primary targets: GHRH-R
2 Reported effects
Effects below are those reported in the published literature cited on this page. They are not claims of clinical benefit and not medical advice.
2.1 Reported benefits
- Stimulates endogenous GH release in clinical studies
- FDA-approved diagnostic agent for GH deficiency
- Preserves natural pulsatile GH feedback
- Studied for body composition and functional decline in aging
2.2 Side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Transient flushing or headache after dose
- Possible fluid retention
- Rare hypersensitivity reactions
3 Chemical and physical properties
| CAS number | 86168-78-7 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 3357.9 g/mol |
| Purity (typical) | >99% |
| Half-life | ~12 minutes (IV); ~10–15 min SC |
| Storage | −20 °C, lyophilised powder, desiccated |
| Solubility | Sterile water / bacteriostatic water |
| Receptors / targets | GHRH-R |
3.1 Amino acid sequence
Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2
4 Research dosages
100–300 μg SC once or twice daily in research protocols; 1 μg/kg IV for diagnostic testing.
5 Research studies (6)
- Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?
Clinical interventions in aging (2006) · Review - Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.
BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy (1999) · ReviewUNLABELLED: Sermorelin, a 29 amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), is the shortest synthetic peptide with full biological activity of GHRH. - Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males.
Translational andrology and urology (2020) · ReviewMale hypogonadism is an increasingly prevalent clinical condition that affects patients' quality of life and overall health. - Growth hormone releasing hormone.
Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism (1986) · ReviewHuman growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) was originally extracted from two pancreatic tumours in patients with acromegaly, and is now known to consist of a 44 residue amidated peptide or its C-terminal-shortened... - Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.
Drug testing and analysis (2021) · ReviewThe administration of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and its synthetic analogs is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews (2026) · ReviewTherapeutic peptides are emerging as promising adjuncts in the management of orthopaedic injuries, grounded in their ability to modulate molecular signaling networks central to cellular medicine.
6 Safety and risk profile
6.1 Regulatory status
Sermorelin is currently classified as FDA approved. Approval applies to specific clinical indications and dosing; research-grade material is not the approved product.
Safety score: 65/100 — moderate concern. Derived from clinical data volume, known risks and regulatory status.
6.2 Contraindications
Conditions and populations in which use is contraindicated:
- Active malignancy
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Known hypersensitivity to GHRH
6.3 Drug interactions
| Drug or class | Interaction | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Glucocorticoids | May blunt GH responses to sermorelin. | Moderate |
| Somatostatin analogs (octreotide) | Directly opposes GHRH-stimulated GH release. | High |
| Anticholinergics | Can enhance or alter GH secretory responses. | Low |
6.4 Long-term risks
- GH elevation may promote growth-factor-sensitive tumors
- Insulin resistance with chronic GH excess
- Carpal tunnel / fluid retention with prolonged use
6.5 Research best practices
- Store lyophilized at −20 °C
- Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate and use within 2 weeks
- Dose at night to augment endogenous GH pulse
7 Frequently asked questions
- How is Sermorelin different from HGH?
- Sermorelin stimulates your pituitary to produce more endogenous GH, preserving natural feedback loops. Exogenous hGH bypasses this. Sermorelin has a short half-life and needs more frequent dosing.
- Is Sermorelin FDA approved?
- Yes — it was approved (as Geref) for evaluating GH deficiency. It is not approved for anti-aging or body-composition use, which remain off-label research applications.
- What dosing schedule is typical in research?
- Clinical diagnostics used a single IV or SC dose. Research protocols for GH stimulation typically use 100–300 μg SC once or twice daily, often at bedtime to augment the nocturnal GH pulse.
8 References
- Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency? PubMed (2006). Walker RF, et al.. View source
- Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. PubMed (1999). Prakash A, et al.. View source
- Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. PubMed (2020). Sinha DK, et al.. View source
- Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs. PubMed (2021). Memdouh S, et al.. View source
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