What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is the oldest GHRH peptide used in research and clinical practice. It corresponds to the first 29 amino acids of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH 1-44), which is the minimum fragment that retains full biological activity on the GHRHR receptor.
It was FDA approved as Geref for diagnosis of GH deficiency and treatment of growth failure in children. The manufacturer discontinued the product in 2008 for commercial reasons (competition with rhGH), not safety issues.
Differences from CJC-1295 No DAC
Both are GHRH analogs, but with important differences:
| Feature | Sermorelin | CJC-1295 No DAC |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | GHRH 1-29 (unmodified) | Mod GRF 1-29 (4 substitutions) |
| Half-life | ~11 minutes | ~30 minutes |
| Clinical history | Extensive (FDA approved) | Limited |
| Enzymatic degradation | Higher | Lower |
Sermorelin has a more extensively documented safety history than modified analogs, although its shorter half-life requires more frequent dosing.
Research uses
- Adult GH deficiency: Alternative to direct rhGH, with the argument that stimulating the native pituitary is more physiological.
- Somatopause: Age-related GH decline; sermorelin aims to restore secretion.
- Body composition: Effects similar to other GH secretagogues (lean mass, visceral fat).
- Sleep: GH is primarily released during deep sleep; nocturnal sermorelin potentiates this pulse.
Reconstitution (reference)
With 5 mg + 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water: 1 unit on a U-100 syringe ≈ 25 mcg. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C once reconstituted.
Safety profile
The FDA approval history (Geref) provides the strongest safety foundation among GH secretagogues. Reported adverse effects: flushing, dizziness, transient headache. No serious safety signals in the available literature.
Not available as an approved medication currently. Compounding with a medical prescription is legal in the U.S. Always under medical supervision.
Reported protocol (research reference)
| Vial sizes | 5 mg, 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Reported dose | Diagnostic use: 1 mcg/kg IV in stimulation test. Reported therapeutic use: 200–500 mcg subcutaneous before sleep. Reference values only. |
| Half-life | ~11 minutes in plasma. |
| FDA status | Not FDA approved |