Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 Analog | Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
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What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a lab-made copy of a portion of a natural hormone called growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which normally signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone in the body's own natural rhythm. It was an FDA-approved medication for a pediatric hormone-deficiency indication until it was discontinued in 2008 for manufacturing reasons, and it remains one of the more thoroughly studied peptides in the growth-hormone research literature. Research-grade sermorelin sold here is intended for laboratory study only, not for human or animal use.
Key terms:
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide.
Sermorelin acetate is a lab-made peptide of 29 amino acids. It copies part of human GHRH (the body's own signal for releasing growth hormone). The FDA approved it in 1997 for growth hormone deficiency in children. It was discontinued in 2008 for manufacturing reasons. Its reported safety record remains favorable. It prompts the body's own growth hormone release while keeping the natural pulse-like rhythm intact.
Key research areas
- FDA-proven efficacy for growth hormone stimulation
- 6% bioavailability with rapid onset
- Maintains natural GH pulses
- Preserves pituitary function
Researched dosing
This table reflects how researchers have structured sermorelin study designs in the literature, dose ranges and schedules used in published research, presented as methodology reference, not usage instructions.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity studies | 200-300 mcg daily | Once at bedtime | Subcutaneous injection |
| Athletic-performance studies | 300-500 mcg daily | Once at bedtime | Subcutaneous injection |
| Pediatric GH-deficiency studies | 30 mcg/kg daily | Once at bedtime | Subcutaneous injection |
| Diagnostic testing | 1 mcg/kg IV | Single dose | Intravenous bolus |
| Body-composition studies | 200 mcg daily | 5 days weekly | Subcutaneous injection |
| Combination studies | 200 mcg + GHRP | Once daily | Subcutaneous co-injection |
Commonly cycled 24 weeks on, 12+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, sermorelin research looks at how the peptide signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone in short, natural bursts, the terms below (pulsatile release, bioavailability) describe that signaling pattern.
Subcutaneous injection provides optimal bioavailability with rapid onset (5-20 minutes) and physiological pulsatile GH stimulation
Molecular data
These figures, molecular weight, chain length, sequence, are the chemistry ID researchers use to confirm a sermorelin sample's identity; it's built from 29 amino acids, matching the natural GHRH fragment it's modeled on.
- Weight
- 3358 Da
- Length
- 29 amino acids
- Type
- Synthetic Peptide
Pharmacokinetics
This chart shows how quickly a research dose of sermorelin is absorbed and cleared in the studies below, notice the short timescale, which is part of why the original FDA-approved product used frequent dosing.
- Peak
- 0.167 hr
- Half-life
- 0.2 hrs
- Cleared
- ~1 hrs
FDA Geref Label (discontinued)
What the studies report
This section summarizes the research areas, growth-hormone stimulation and related pathways, that scientists have studied for sermorelin in the literature, not a list of conditions it treats in people.
Muscle Development
1.26 kg lean mass increase documented in elderly men with improved muscle strength tests. Stimulates endogenous IGF-1 production leading to muscle protein synthesis and growth. Enhanced recovery and muscle development through physiological GH stimulation.
Longevity
Stimulates natural growth hormone production preserving physiological pulsatile patterns associated with longevity benefits including improved body composition, skin quality, and energy levels.
Hormonal
Supports hormonal balance by stimulating the pituitary to release growth hormone in a physiological manner, preserving the hypothalamic-pituitary axis feedback mechanisms.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 200-300 mcg
- Frequency in studies
- Once at bedtime (align with natural GH pulse)
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution, research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- IGF-1 elevation: 1-2 weeks; Body composition: 4-8 weeks; Full benefits: 3-6 months
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2-8°C up to 3 years; Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 10-30 days
- Cycle length
- 3-6 months continuous use, then 1-3 month break to prevent desensitization
- Break between cycles
- 1-3 months off between cycles, or use 5 days on/2 days off schedule
Interactions
This list shows which other compounds researchers study alongside sermorelin, and flags pairings that call for extra caution or monitoring in a research setting.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried sermorelin powder into a liquid research solution using bacteriostatic water.
- Allow sermorelin vial to reach room temperature before reconstitution
- Clean vial top with alcohol swab and allow to dry
- Inject 3mL bacteriostatic water slowly against vial wall (not directly onto powder)
- Gently swirl vial in circular motion - do not shake vigorously to avoid foaming
- Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes until powder completely dissolves into clear solution
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2-8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within Up to 3 years
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within 10-30 days depending on formulation
Open the Sermorelin reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the checks, appearance, purity testing, cold-chain handling, researchers and buyers use to confirm a sermorelin sample is correctly identified and hasn't degraded, alongside the Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Clear reconstituted solution - Should be completely clear and colorless without particles, cloudiness, or precipitation
Pharmaceutical grade purity - Greater than 98% peptide purity per USP standards with sterile, nonpyrogenic lyophilized powder
Proper cold storage - Lyophilized sermorelin is stable at ambient temperature in transit; keep it at 2-8°C once received, protected from light and temperature extremes
FDA-registered manufacturing - Produced in FDA-registered facilities following current Good Manufacturing Practices with third-party verification
Cloudy or discolored solution - Any cloudiness, particles, color changes, or precipitation indicates degradation or contamination
Incorrect molecular weight - Should be exactly 3,358 daltons (free base) or 3,418 daltons (acetate salt) - verify with COA
Room temperature exposure - Brief room temperature exposure acceptable up to 72 hours but should be refrigerated promptly
What to expect
This timeline summarizes what the research literature reports at each study stage, research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
Trials reported rising IGF-1 with improvements in sleep quality and recovery
Early body-composition change reported, with increased energy and well-being scores
Reported improvements in muscle tone, fat mass, and skin quality
Sustained body-composition change reported at peak IGF-1 elevation
Peak reported endpoints: lean-mass development, reduced fat mass, and longevity markers
Safety notes
This section covers sermorelin's regulatory history and handling notes, it's no longer FDA-approved, and this is research-use-only scope, not medical guidance.
- Contraindicated in active malignancy, pituitary tumors, and pregnancy
- Monitor thyroid function - 6.5% develop hypothyroidism requiring hormone replacement
- Check IGF-1 levels monthly initially, then every 3-6 months long-term
- Originally FDA-approved in 1997 for pediatric growth hormone deficiency; discontinued in 2008 for manufacturing reasons
- No longer FDA-approved; available as compounded preparation
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use.
What is not known
The limits of the published work on Sermorelin, stated plainly. Research use only: none of this is guidance for a person.
A widely repeated claim says that combining a GHRH analog with GHRP-2 gives a large jump in growth hormone from one dose. The trial behind it reports something different. The combined response is additive at first, and becomes more than additive only after the two have been given together for days.
The trial that proved the medicine worked was in children with a diagnosed growth hormone deficiency. It says nothing about a healthy adult.
That trial was open label, with no placebo group, so it cannot say how much of the growth came from the treatment.
Height velocity in that trial peaked at six months and was lower at twelve. A page quoting only the six month figure is quoting the best moment of the curve.
Sermorelin is no longer approved. It was withdrawn in 2008 for manufacturing reasons, so there is no current label and no ongoing safety reporting behind it.
The terms, in plain words
Every technical term this page leans on, said again in ordinary words.
- GHRH
- The natural signal a body makes to tell the pituitary gland it is time to let growth hormone out.
- Analog
- A lab-made copy of part of a natural molecule, close enough to work on the same switch.
- Pulsatile
- Released in bursts rather than as a steady drip.
- Height velocity
- How many centimetres a child grows in a year. The main measure in the trial below.
- Open label
- Everyone involved knew who was getting the treatment, which makes a result easier to bias.
- Additive and synergistic
- Additive means two things together give the sum of each alone. Synergistic means they give more than that sum.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). In the research literature it is described as signaling the pituitary to release growth hormone in the body's own pulsatile rhythm. It was FDA-approved in 1997 for a pediatric indication before being discontinued in 2008. Research-grade sermorelin sold here is intended for laboratory study only, not human or animal use.
What class of compound is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide classified as a GHRH (1-29) analog, it reproduces the first 29 amino acids of natural growth hormone-releasing hormone. Its molecular weight is about 3,358 daltons as the free base. Researchers use these figures, and the acetate-salt weight near 3,418 daltons, to confirm a sample's identity against its Certificate of Analysis. It is sold for research use only.
How is Sermorelin typically reconstituted for research use?
In the laboratory, the sermorelin vial is first allowed to reach room temperature and its top wiped with an alcohol swab. Bacteriostatic water is injected slowly against the vial wall rather than onto the powder, then the vial is gently swirled, not shaken, and left to sit until the powder dissolves into a clear solution. This is standard peptide-handling methodology.
How should reconstituted Sermorelin be stored in the lab?
Lyophilized sermorelin is kept refrigerated at 2-8°C, where it stays stable for up to three years, while a reconstituted solution is held at roughly 2-6°C and used within about 10 to 30 days depending on formulation. Storage temperature matters: researchers confirm a good sample by a completely clear, colorless, particle-free solution checked against the Certificate of Analysis.
Is Sermorelin legal to purchase for research in Canada?
Lux BioPure sells sermorelin in Canada strictly as a research-use-only chemical for laboratory study, it is not for human or veterinary use and is not offered as a drug or supplement. Although sermorelin was FDA-approved in 1997 for a pediatric indication, it was discontinued in 2008 and is no longer FDA-approved, now available only as a compounded preparation.
Sources
The published work behind this entry. Each link was opened and each note says what that paper reports, not what it suggests.
- Once daily subcutaneous growth hormone-releasing hormone therapy accelerates growth in growth hormone-deficient children during the first year of therapy Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1996110 children with growth hormone deficiency, one year, open label. The trial behind the approval.
- GHRP-2, GHRH and SRIF interrelationships during chronic administration of GHRP-2 to humans Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1996The paper on combining the two. It reports that the extra effect appears only after repeated dosing, not from one combined dose.
- The effects of intranasal insufflation of growth hormone releasing factor analogue GRF 1-29 NH2 on growth hormone secretion in children with short stature Acta Endocrinologica Supplementum, 1986Five children, one dose into the nose. The only nasal study this entry has, and it measured hormone levels for two hours, nothing more.
How it is studied
In the published studies listed below. Each one names the species it was run in, the dose, how long it ran, and what it reported.
Five prepubertal children of short stature. A single dose into the nose raised serum growth hormone in every child, peaking at fifteen minutes and still raised at two hours. One child reported burning in the nose.
View StudyNormal younger and older men and women. Reports that the combined growth hormone response became more than additive only after the peptides had been given repeatedly for days. A single combined dose was additive.
View StudyThe Geref International Study Group trial. 110 previously untreated prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency, one injection a day for up to a year. Mean height velocity rose from 4.1 cm a year at baseline to 8.0 at six months, and was 7.2 at twelve months.
View Study