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Sermorelin

Growth hormone

Also known as: Sermorelin acetate, GRF 1-29, Geref

A short acting growth hormone releasing hormone analog, once approved to treat and test for growth hormone deficiency.

Safety:It raises growth hormone, so it carries the usual GH cautions, including avoiding it with active cancer. It clears very fast, so it is dosed nightly.

2.What it is / mechanism

Sermorelin is a shortened version of natural growth hormone releasing hormone, the first 29 amino acids that carry the activity. It signals the pituitary to release growth hormone in a natural pulse. Its is very short, only about 10 to 20 minutes, so its effect is brief and it is taken at night to match the body's own rhythm. It was once approved by the FDA, as Geref, to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency, mainly in children, and is now used off label and through compounding.s1

3.What the evidence supports

  • Limited human dataRaises growth hormone through a natural pulse.s1

    Backed by its historical approved use for growth hormone deficiency.

  • Anecdotal onlyImproves body composition, sleep, and recovery in adults.s2

    A popular anti aging use, not proven by outcome trials.

4.Dosing

Limited human data
Route(s)subcutaneous
Typical rangeAbout 200 to 300 mcg at night, sometimes up to 500 mcg. Some protocols combine it with ipamorelin.
FrequencyOnce daily, before bed
Cycle guidanceOften run for several months, since the effect is gentle.
NotesThe very short , about 10 to 20 minutes, means it does not build up and must be taken regularly to matter. Take it on an empty stomach at night. Unlike ipamorelin, it can nudge up cortisol and prolactin a little.
s1

5.Reconstitution

Vial sizes5 mg, 10 mg
DiluentBacteriostatic water for multi dose vials, or sterile water for single use
ConcentrationExample: a 5 mg vial plus 2.5 mL of water gives 2 mg/mL, so a 300 mcg dose is 0.15 mL, which is 15 units on a U-100 syringe.
NotesSermorelin usually ships as 5 mg or 10 mg freeze dried vials. Compounded sermorelin is also available by prescription in some places.

Reconstitution calculator

Pick your vial size and how much water you add to see the draw volume and syringe units for a dose. Open the full calculator →

Inputs

Reminder: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg

mg

Total amount stated on the vial, e.g. 5 mg.

mL

How much diluent you draw into the vial.

mcg

Target dose per injection, in mcg. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg.

Result

Draw to

10 units

= 0.1 mL on your syringe

Concentration
2,500 mcg/mL
Per unit
25 mcg / unit
Doses per vial
20

Educational estimate only. Not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently before use.

General reconstitution technique →

6.Storage & stability

Lyophilized (dry)

TempFreeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term
Shelf lifeMany months when frozen
NotesKeep dry and out of light until you mix it.

Reconstituted

Temp2 to 8 (refrigerated)
Shelf lifeAbout 2 to 4 weeks
NotesDo not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored.

General storage & stability guide →

7.Reported side effects

  • WarningHigher blood sugars1Growth hormone can raise blood sugar over time.
  • CautionFacial flushing(common)s1Often right after the injection, and it passes quickly.
  • CautionDizziness or headache(common)s1
  • CautionInjection site pain(common)s1

8.Interactions & stacking risks

  • InfoIpamorelin or CJC-1295

    Sometimes stacked with a GHRP like ipamorelin for a bigger growth hormone pulse.

  • CautionDiabetes medicines or insulins1

    Because growth hormone raises blood sugar, glucose control may need watching.

9.Contraindications / who should avoid

  • SeriousActive or recent cancer, or a strong family history

    Raising growth hormone and IGF-1 could in theory feed a tumor.

  • SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding

    No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

10.COA & purity notes

Common adulterantsunderdosed or mislabeled vials, material sold without clear content
MislabelingA recent third party COA helps confirm identity and purity.
NotesSermorelin once had an approved version (Geref). Current research and compounded material is not that product.

How to read a COA →

11.Sources

  1. [s1]U.S. FDA / Drugs.com (2024). Sermorelin (Geref): approved use for growth hormone deficiency and drug overview. regulatory link
  2. [s2]JCSM Rapid Communications (2020). Growth hormone secretagogues: history, mechanism of action, and clinical development. review link

Last reviewed 2026-07-08 · status: reviewed