Skip to content

Reference information only. Therapept does not sell peptides and does not provide medical advice.Research-use notice

Therapept
Hormones & Endocrine SignalingGHRH analogue — human GHRH (1-29) amide

Sermorelin

The first 29 amino acids of human GHRH, formerly FDA-approved to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency in children.

DiscontinuedApproved PharmaceuticalAlso known as: Geref, GRF(1-29)NH2, Sermorelin acetateSkip to Human Evidence ↓
Hormones & Endocrine Signaling

Sermorelin Biological Classification

Approved Pharmaceutical

The first 29 amino acids of human GHRH, formerly FDA-approved to diagnose and treat growth hormone deficiency in children.

Pituitary GHRH Agonism

Binds receptors on somatotrophs to stimulate natural growth hormone production.

Preserved Somatostatin Feedback

Maintains natural inhibitory feedback loops, preventing supraphysiological hormone spikes.

1

What is Sermorelin?

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide representing the functional N-terminal fragment of human Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH 1-29 amide).

2

Why are people interested in it?

Studied as a physiological way to support growth hormone production. Because it works through the pituitary's natural feedback loops, somatostatin can still halt hormone release, reducing overdose risks.

Primary Research Categories

  • GHRH analogues
  • Discontinued drug substances
3

How does it work in the body?

Sermorelin stimulates pituitary GHRH receptors, triggering natural pulsatile release of growth hormone.

In Everyday Language: Sermorelin contains the exact active tip of your brain's natural growth hormone-releasing signal. Because it works through your body's natural pituitary feedback loops, it cannot trigger an overdose of growth hormone.
Cellular & Receptor Signaling: Recombinant or synthetic GHRH(1-29) amide that binds pituitary somatotroph GHRH receptors, activating the Gs-protein adenylyl cyclase cascade to increase intracellular cyclic AMP and stimulate pulsatile GH secretion.

Endocrine Pathway

The GHRH – Pituitary – IGF-1 Axis

Physiological Somatotropic Regulation

Instead of injecting direct growth hormone, GHRH analogues prompt the body’s own pituitary gland to manufacture and release growth hormone in natural, pulsatile bursts.

Step 1

GHRH Analogue

Sermorelin enters circulation and binds GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotrophs.

Step 2

Pulsatile GH

Stimulates natural, episodic pulses of endogenous human growth hormone (GH).

Step 3

Hepatic IGF-1

Circulating GH stimulates the liver to synthesize and release Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1.

Step 4: Target Effect

Lipolysis & Repair

Selectively triggers breakdown of abdominal visceral adipose tissue while maintaining lean mass.

Feedback Safety:Unlike synthetic GH injections (which flood the body constantly and shut down natural production), GHRH analogues preserve somatostatin negative-feedback loops, limiting over-accumulation.

Pituitary GHRH Agonism

Binds receptors on somatotrophs to stimulate natural growth hormone production.

Preserved Somatostatin Feedback

Maintains natural inhibitory feedback loops, preventing supraphysiological hormone spikes.

4

What has actually been demonstrated in humans?

Approved Pharmaceutical

Formerly approved by the FDA (under the trade name Geref) for diagnosing and treating growth hormone deficiency in children. Discontinued by its manufacturer for commercial reasons, not safety concerns.

Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals

While sermorelin was historically FDA-approved for pediatric hormone deficiency, it is not approved for adult anti-aging, wellness, or body composition.

5

What is still uncertain or unknown?

Large randomized controlled trials evaluating sermorelin for adult anti-aging or body recomposition are lacking. Most historical human data focuses on pediatric deficiency.

Regulatory Position: Historically FDA-approved as Geref (discontinued brand). Unapproved for adult anti-aging or cosmetic indications.

Companion Resources & Guides

Dosing Reference→

Historical pediatric protocols and adult clinical references.

Clinical Perspectives & Expert Discussions

Explore all perspectives

What identifiable clinicians, researchers, and professional bodies have publicly discussed regarding Sermorelin.

Clinical Practice Observation

Dr. William A. Seeds, M.D.

Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon; founder of Seeds Scientific Research & Performance (SSRP) Institute; Medical Director of Redox Medical Group; author of Peptide Protocols.

1 August 2020

Dr. Seeds details the clinical distinction between continuous GHRH exposure and physiological pulsatile secretagogues. He argues that short-acting GHRH analogues (like Mod GRF 1-29 or sermorelin, paired with ipamorelin) are preferable for cellular health because they stimulate natural pituitary pulses while preserving negative feedback loops, whereas long-acting continuous stimulation (such as CJC-1295 DAC) risks pituitary receptor desensitization.

Context: Seeds Scientific Research & Performance InstituteView source discussion
Clinical Practice Observation

Dr. Edwin Lee, M.D., F.A.C.E.

Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology; founder of the Clinical Peptide Society.

10 June 2022

Dr. Lee emphasizes that any clinical exploration of growth hormone secretagogues must be accompanied by comprehensive baseline and ongoing laboratory evaluation, including serum IGF-1, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and cancer screening. He cautions that secretagogues are biologically active molecules that influence cellular proliferation and glucose counter-regulation.

Context: Clinical Peptide Society / Institute for Hormonal BalanceView source discussion

Dosing Reference

Open Sermorelin Dosing Reference

A 29-amino acid GHRH fragment (GHRH 1-29 amide). Formerly FDA-approved as Geref for diagnostic pituitary evaluation and idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.

Therapept separates official product labels, published clinical study interventions, animal research, clinical references, and community-reported ranges — never blended into one number.

Research at a Glance

Open the full evidence file (3 records)

3 records in this file

  • REVIEW1
  • REGULATORY2

Publication span: 1997–2026

What Has Actually Been Studied

  • WADA Prohibited List — S2.2.4 GHRH analogues (WADA Prohibited List, 2026) — Anti-doping listing.
  • Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (BioDrugs, 1999) — Drug review of the then-approved product.
  • Drugs@FDA — GEREF (NDA 020443), marketing status discontinued (Drugs@FDA, 1997) — Approved-drug record (discontinued).

What is Still Unknown

What we know

  • GEREF (NDA 020443) was approved in 1997 and is recorded in Drugs@FDA as discontinued.
  • A 1999 review maps the labelled-era paediatric GH-deficiency literature. No current FDA label is retrievable.
  • WADA lists GHRH analogues, including this one.

Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built

What remains uncertain

  • Exact approved-indication wording, because no current label is retrievable — already flagged on the identity record.
  • What, if anything, currently marketed research-use material has in common with discontinued GEREF.

Preparation and Handling

Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.

Preparation Resource HubWhat “lyophilized” meansConcentration calculator

United States Regulatory Status

Formerly approved — discontinued

Application: NDA 020443 (GEREF) — marketing status: discontinued

Approved Indication: Not stated here. The product is discontinued and no current FDA label was retrievable to verify the approved indication wording.

  • GEREF (sermorelin acetate for injection), NDA 020443, originally approved 26 September 1997.
  • Drugs@FDA records the marketing status as discontinued. There is no currently marketed approved sermorelin product in the United States.
  • Not listed on FDA's Category 2 or withdrawn-nomination compounding tables.

WADA Anti-Doping Status

Named at S2.2.4 among GHRH analogues. Prohibited at all times; non-Specified.

Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
Molecular weight
3357.9 g/mol
Sequence length
33 chars
CAS number
86168-78-7
PubChem CID
16132413
Compound class
GHRH analogue — human GHRH (1-29) amide
Sequence
YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR-NH2
Molecular formula
C149H246N44O42S
Molecular weight
3357.9 g/mol
CAS number
86168-78-7
PubChem CID
16132413

Sources

  1. PubChem CID 16132413
  2. Drugs@FDA — approved drug products
  3. WADA 2026 Prohibited ListEffective 1 January 2026.

Last reviewed 3 September 2026 · Compiled by Therapept Editorial · How these records are built