Sermorelin Quick Start
Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the biologically active N-terminal fragment of human GHRH. It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone in a pulsatile pattern rather than supplying GH directly, which is the basis for its use as a research tool in GH-axis work. It was formerly marketed as an approved diagnostic and therapeutic agent before being discontinued for commercial reasons.
This guide is an educational research reference. It does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe, and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed clinician before considering any compound.
Sermorelin Dosing Protocol
Sermorelin is dosed once nightly on an empty stomach, timed to the natural sleep-onset growth-hormone pulse. Ranges below are research-planning references drawn from the former approved labeling and community protocols, not personal dosing recommendations.
Injection — Subcutaneous
| Band | Per dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 200 mcg | Once nightly |
| Standard | 300 mcg | Once nightly |
| High | 500 mcg | Once nightly |
Cycle guidelines
| Approach | Duration | Review point | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 12 weeks | Week 8 | General research planning |
| Extended | 3–6 months | Monthly | Slower body-composition endpoints |
Sermorelin Reconstitution Guide
Sermorelin ships as a lyophilized powder. The bacteriostatic water volume sets the concentration and draw size.
Injection
| BAC | Conc. | 300 mcg |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 0.06 mL · 6 u |
| 3 mL | 3,333 mcg/mL | 0.09 mL · 9 u |
Units are U-100 insulin-syringe units (100 u = 1.0 mL).
Reconstitution steps
- Inspect the vial. Confirm the label, expected milligram amount, and that the powder looks dry and intact.
- Wipe the stoppers. Use an alcohol swab on both the bacteriostatic water and peptide vial stoppers.
- Draw the chosen volume. 2 mL into the vial — this is the number that sets every concentration figure above.
- Inject down the wall. Release the water slowly down the inside wall, not directly onto the powder.
- Swirl, do not shake. Roll gently until dissolved. Shaking foams and can damage the peptide.
- Verify clarity. Solution should be clear and colorless. Discard if cloudy or particulate.
- Label and refrigerate. Note the date and volume added on the vial, then store at 2–8 °C. Do not freeze the reconstituted solution.
See the bacteriostatic water guide for diluent handling, or the reconstitution calculator to work any other volume.
How Sermorelin Works
Sermorelin binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs, prompting release of stored growth hormone. Because the signal runs through the normal axis, somatostatin feedback still applies and release stays pulsatile — the physiological pattern, rather than the sustained elevation produced by injected GH. Downstream, GH raises hepatic IGF-1.
GHRH receptor
Direct pituitary stimulation using the native signalling route.
Preserved feedback
Somatostatin regulation stays intact, which caps the response.
Pulsatile release
Mimics the physiological pattern rather than a flat elevation.
Open question
Whether preserved pulsatility translates into better long-term outcomes than exogenous GH is not established.
Who Should Avoid Sermorelin
Sermorelin acts upstream of a broad hormonal cascade, so eligibility is a clinical question.
Active or prior cancer
Raising GH and IGF-1 is a theoretical proliferation concern.
Diabetes or insulin resistance
GH is counter-regulatory to insulin and can shift glycaemic control.
Pregnancy & lactation
No human safety data.
Tested athletes
Prohibited under WADA S2 at all times.
Sermorelin Side Effects & Safety
Injection-site reactions
Redness, swelling or itching at the site is the most commonly reported effect.
Flushing or headache
Transient and typically dose-related.
Water retention
Mild oedema and joint discomfort are classic GH-axis effects.
Quality-control risk
Verify identity and purity against a Certificate of Analysis.
Sermorelin Evidence Context
Former approval
Was an approved agent for GH-axis diagnostics and paediatric GH deficiency before commercial discontinuation.
Diagnostic use
Well-characterised as a pituitary stimulation test agent.
Long-term adult data
Limited; most published work is diagnostic or paediatric.
Open question
Adult body-composition and longevity claims are not supported by controlled trials.
Storage & Handling
| State | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized (powder) | −20 °C, protected from light | More stable than reconstituted solution. |
| Reconstituted (liquid) | 2–8 °C | −20 °C for longer per the listing. |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless | Discard cloudy or particulate solutions. |
Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin vs the CJC/Ipamorelin blend
| Feature | Sermorelin | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRH (1-29) | Stabilised GHRH (1-44) | GHRH analog + ghrelin mimetic |
| Half-life | Very short (~10–20 min) | Longer, stabilised | Short, both components |
| Reference dose | 200–500 mcg nightly | 2 mg once daily | 100–300 mcg nightly |
| Page | This page | Tesamorelin | Blend |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sermorelin?
A 29-amino-acid peptide matching the active fragment of human GHRH. It stimulates the pituitary to release its own growth hormone rather than supplying GH directly.
How is it dosed?
Once nightly on an empty stomach, commonly referenced at 200–500 mcg. At 5,000 mcg/mL, 300 mcg is 6 units on a U-100 syringe.
Why at night?
The largest natural GH pulse occurs shortly after sleep onset, and food blunts the response. Secretagogue protocols time dosing to that window.
How does it differ from tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a stabilised GHRH(1-44) analog with a longer duration and an approved indication; sermorelin is the shorter native fragment. See the tesamorelin page.
Is it banned in sport?
Yes — WADA category S2, prohibited at all times.
Is this page medical advice?
No. It is an educational research reference and does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. Consult a licensed clinician before considering any compound.
Sermorelin Formats & Sourcing
Sermorelin is supplied as a lyophilized powder in a single 10 mg vial. There is no pre-reconstituted pen or spray format. Batch-specific Certificates of Analysis are issued per lot.
| Format | Supplied as |
|---|---|
| Vial | 10 mg lyophilized powder |
Strengths are listed as sold; confirm against the product page and the batch COA before calculating anything.
Reference material for this protocol, with batch COA:
View Sermorelin on Spyro Peptides →References
- Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic GH deficiency. BioDrugs (1999).
- Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency? Clin Interv Aging (2006).
- Ishida J, et al. Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action and clinical development. JCSM Rapid Commun (2020).
- World Anti-Doping Agency. Prohibited List 2025 — S2.