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No. 011 · GH & Growth · Growth Hormone

Sermorelin

GerefGRF(1-29)NH2Sermorelin acetate

S Tier S · Approved how tiers work →
  • FDA approved 1997 · discontinued
  • WADA ✗ S2
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no sequence C149H246N44O42S
S O O O O O O O O O O O O O O H O O O O O O O O O O O H O H O H O O O O H O O O O H O O O O H O O O H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N 2 H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N H N 2 H N 2 H N H N H N H N H N H N H N 2 H N H N H N 2 H N 2 H N H N 2 H N H N 2 H N H N 2 H N H N 2 H

2D structure from PubChem CID 16132413 (Sermorelin), matched by exact name. Hydrogens on carbon are implied.

Sermorelin (no defined sequence)

No sequence on file. We only draw fingerprints from published sequences — this ring motif is a placeholder, never a guessed sequence.

01

Quick answers

What is Sermorelin?
A bioidentical GHRH analog containing the first 29 amino acids of endogenous GHRH.
How strong is the evidence for Sermorelin?
Tier S (approved) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Previously FDA-approved (Geref) for diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency in children; withdrawn from the market in 2008 for commercial reasons.
Is Sermorelin FDA-approved?
It was FDA-approved (Geref) in 1997, but the product was later discontinued. Approved for pediatric GH deficiency; discontinued 2008, not for safety reasons.
Is Sermorelin banned in sport?
Yes. Sermorelin is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).
How does Sermorelin work?
Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) is the biologically active N-terminal fragment of endogenous GHRH. It binds the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotrophs and activates cAMP/PKA signaling to promote GH gene transcription and pulsatile GH release.
What is known about the safety of Sermorelin?
Previously FDA-approved (Geref) with a well-established safety record. Common side effects: injection site pain, flushing, headache, dizziness.

Last reviewed · editorial policy · markdown

02

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER S — Approved by the FDA or EMA for at least one indication.

Previously FDA-approved (Geref) for diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency in children; withdrawn from the market in 2008 for commercial reasons.

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

03

At a glance

Routes studied
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular Routes used in published research
FDA
Approved 1997, later discontinued Geref Approved for pediatric GH deficiency; discontinued 2008, not for safety reasons.
WADA
Prohibited · S2 Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics
04

Overview

A bioidentical GHRH analog containing the first 29 amino acids of endogenous GHRH. It was one of the first peptides prescribed for GH deficiency in both children and adults.

Research status Previously FDA-approved (Geref) for GH deficiency diagnostics; well-established safety record

05

Mechanism

Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) is the biologically active N-terminal fragment of endogenous GHRH. It binds the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotrophs and activates cAMP/PKA signaling to promote GH gene transcription and pulsatile GH release. It preserves the natural feedback loop, preventing supraphysiological GH levels.

06

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Some come from controlled human trials; others may be from smaller or preclinical studies — check the studies below.

  • Stimulated natural GH secretion
  • Improved sleep quality and REM duration
  • Enhanced lean body mass
  • Reduced visceral adiposity
07

Safety & unknowns

Previously FDA-approved (Geref) with a well-established safety record. Common side effects: injection site pain, flushing, headache, dizziness. Preserves the hypothalamic-pituitary feedback axis. Manufacturing discontinued in 2008 for commercial reasons, not safety.

Unknowns. Trial safety data apply to the populations, formulations and conditions studied.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

08

Studies [0]

No studies cited for this entry yet.

10

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

11

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). Sermorelin. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/sermorelin/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-sermorelin,
  title = {Sermorelin},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/sermorelin/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

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