Sermorelin
In children with growth hormone deficiency, daily sermorelin raised height velocity from 4.1 to 7.2 cm a year in an uncontrolled study. In a randomized comparison, only growth hormone raised height relative to bone age. In 11 older men over 6 weeks, IGF-1 and body composition did not change. Flushing and injection site pain were the most common side effects.
Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
- Status
- Not currently marketed as an FDA-approved product in the US. FDA approved Geref (sermorelin acetate) injection for testing growth hormone secretion in 1990 and for idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in children with growth failure in 1997. The maker discontinued both in 2008, and approval was withdrawn in 2009. Prohibited at all times by WADA (S2).
- Also called
- Geref, sermorelin acetate, GHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29, growth hormone-releasing hormone 1-29
- Taken for
- growth hormone, anti-aging, muscle, strength, fat loss, sleep, children's growth
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help3
- LimitedLimited evidence: growth rate roughly doubled in children with growth hormone deficiency in an uncontrolled study, with smaller gains than daily growth hormone. Adult height was not determined.
- LimitedOne small study without placebo found 2 of 6 strength measures improved over 6 weeks in men aged 64 to 76. Muscle mass did not change.
- LimitedSmall trials of the natural hormone GHRH, not sermorelin, found more deep sleep when it was given in pulses at night, but not as a continuous infusion.
Reported risks2
- LimitedLimited evidence: brief facial flushing and injection site pain were the most often reported side effects.How often is not known
- LimitedWADA lists sermorelin as prohibited at all times in sport.How often is not known
What people take it for, and what was found
Shown to help3
Growth in children with growth hormone deficiency
Limited evidence: growth rate roughly doubled in children with growth hormone deficiency in an uncontrolled study, with smaller gains than daily growth hormone. Adult height was not determined.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Mean height velocity rose from 4.1 cm a year at baseline to 8.0 cm a year at 6 months and 7.2 cm a year at 12 months, and 74% were rated as good responders at 6 months [1]. In a randomized comparison with growth hormone, growth rate was lowest on the lower sermorelin dose and similar between the higher dose and growth hormone. Height relative to bone age rose only on growth hormone [2]. A review reports smaller rises in height velocity with sermorelin than with daily somatropin, and states that effects on final adult height were not determined [3].
- Population
- 110 previously untreated prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency, 86 in the efficacy analysis, 1 year [1]; 43 prepubertal children aged 4.3 to 18.9 with deficiency of hypothalamic origin, 6 months [2].
- Sources
- [1], [2], [3]
- Caveats
- The largest study had no control group [1]. The randomized comparison was small [2].
Strength in older men
One small study without placebo found 2 of 6 strength measures improved over 6 weeks in men aged 64 to 76. Muscle mass did not change.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Over 6 weeks, nightly sermorelin raised nighttime growth hormone release, with no change in IGF-1. Two of six strength measures (upright row and shoulder press) and one endurance test (abdominal crunch) improved. Muscle by DEXA and muscle histology did not change [4].
- Population
- 11 healthy, non-obese men aged 64 to 76 with low baseline IGF-1 [4].
- Sources
- [4]
- Caveats
- One small study with no placebo group, comparing each man with his own baseline. The authors note that single nightly doses produced smaller hormone effects than multiple daily doses in earlier work [4].
Sleep
Small trials of the natural hormone GHRH, not sermorelin, found more deep sleep when it was given in pulses at night, but not as a continuous infusion.
Compared with placebo [7][8]; the same men's sleep without GHRH, as the abstract describes it [9]
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 7 healthy men, four 50 microgram IV boluses of GHRH through the night raised slow-wave sleep to 20.2% of the night, against 14.0% on placebo [7]. In healthy volunteers, the same pulsed schedule increased slow-wave sleep (P < 0.01) and REM sleep (P < 0.05) against placebo, while a continuous infusion of a similar total dose did not change sleep significantly [8]. In healthy young men, a single IV dose in the first deep-sleep period did not change slow-wave sleep but increased REM sleep. Given in the third REM period, it was followed by an almost 10-fold rise in slow-wave sleep and less wake time [9].
- Population
- 7 healthy men [7]. Healthy volunteers [8]. Healthy young men [9].
- Sources
- [7], [8], [9]
- Caveats
- These trials gave GHRH intravenously, not sermorelin, the 1-29 fragment of GHRH that the trials on this page gave under the skin [2][4]. They were small, lasted one night each, and the effect depended on timing and on pulsed rather than continuous dosing [8][9].
Doses studied
In children, the open-label study used 30 micrograms per kg once daily by subcutaneous injection at bedtime [1]. The randomized comparison used 30 or 60 micrograms per kg a day divided into three subcutaneous doses [2]. The study in older men used 2 mg by subcutaneous injection nightly for 6 weeks [4]. As a diagnostic test, a single intravenous dose of 1 microgram per kg was used [3].
Risks
Reported risks2
Facial flushing and injection site pain
Limited evidence: brief facial flushing and injection site pain were the most often reported side effects.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- Transient facial flushing and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported adverse events with single intravenous and repeated daily subcutaneous doses [3].
- Population
- Children with growth hormone deficiency and people given the diagnostic test, in the studies reviewed [3].
- Sources
- [3]
- Caveats
- A drug review, without pooled rates.
Prohibited in sport
WADA lists sermorelin as prohibited at all times in sport.
Checked, no increase found2
Blood sugar and laboratory changes
Small studies found no change in fasting glucose, insulin or lipids in children over 1 year and in older men over 6 weeks.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- Over 1 year in children, no adverse changes in general biochemical or hormonal tests were reported, with no change in fasting glucose and no excessive rise in IGF-1 [1]. In older men over 6 weeks, glucose, insulin and the glucose tolerance test did not change, lipids did not change, and no significant adverse effects were reported [4].
- Population
- 110 children [1]; 11 older men [4].
- Sources
- [1], [4]
- Caveats
- Small studies without placebo groups.
Market withdrawal
FDA states the Geref products were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The maker discontinued them in 2008.
The numbers and sources
- How common
- How often is not known: the sources give no rate.
- Effect
- EMD Serono discontinued both Geref products in 2008, and FDA withdrew approval as of June 18, 2009. In 2013 FDA determined that neither product was withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness [5].
- Population
- US market [5].
- Sources
- [5]
- Caveats
- A regulatory finding about why the product left the market, not a safety study.
Claims tested and not found
- That sermorelin reduces body fat in older men. Over 6 weeks, weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio and fat by DEXA did not change [4].
Sources
- Thorner M, Rochiccioli P, Colle M, et al. Once daily subcutaneous growth hormone-releasing hormone therapy accelerates growth in growth hormone-deficient children during the first year of therapy. Geref International Study Group. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1996. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.81.3.8772599
- Neyzi O, Yordam N, Ocal G, et al. Growth response to growth hormone-releasing hormone(1-29)-NH2 compared with growth hormone. Acta Paediatrica. 1993. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.1993.tb12828.x
- Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. BioDrugs. 1999. https://doi.org/10.2165/00063030-199912020-00007
- Vittone J, Blackman MR, Busby-Whitehead J, et al. Effects of single nightly injections of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29) in healthy elderly men. Metabolism. 1997. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0026-0495(97)90174-8
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Determination That GEREF (Sermorelin Acetate) Injection, 0.5 Milligrams Base/Vial and 1.0 Milligrams Base/Vial, and GEREF (Sermorelin Acetate) Injection, 0.05 Milligrams Base/Amp, Were Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness. Federal Register 78 FR 14095. 2013. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-03-04/html/2013-04827.htm
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The Prohibited List. 2026. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- Steiger A, Guldner J, Hemmeter U, et al. Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin on sleep EEG and nocturnal hormone secretion in male controls. Neuroendocrinology. 1992. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1361964/
- Marshall L, Mölle M, Böschen G, et al. Greater efficacy of episodic than continuous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) administration in promoting slow-wave sleep (SWS). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1996. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.81.3.8772566
- Kerkhofs M, Van Cauter E, Van Onderbergen A, et al. Sleep-promoting effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone in normal men. American Journal of Physiology. 1993. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1993.264.4.e594