Sermorelin

Potential benefits

• Preserves age related decline of pituitary hormone homeostasis key to youthful physiology and anatomy (increases pituitary reserve)¹
• Increase in muscle mass paired with fat loss (improved body composition)^2,3
• Improved libido²
• Improved insulin sensitivity²
• Increased bone mineral density⁴
• Support cardiovascular health⁵
• Improved non-REM sleep which may lead to healthier immune function⁶
• Support improved cognition, especially in the elderly
• Boost physical performance through new mitochondria and enhanced ATP production⁷
• Enhanced tissue repair and recovery⁸
• Increased collagen production for healthier skin and nails⁹

Handling requirements

• Keep away from children and pets

Precautions^2,5

• Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is insufficient data to support use in these subpopulations.
• Avoid use in patients with a current or past diagnosis of cancer, especially hormone-related tumors.
• Medication may not provide a benefit in patients with chronic IGF-1 elevations

Potential Side Effects¹⁴

• Injections may cause injection-site reactions such as pain, redness, bumps and itching
• Antibody development
• Potential joint pain
• Facial flushing
• Nausea

Sermorelin acts on the somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland to release growth hormone. Growth hormone (GH) is released within minutes of falling asleep specifically during slow wave sleep cycle. For this reason it is often recommended to administer just before bedtime to take advantage of our bodies natural highest production of GH. The amount of GH that is released occurs in short bursts which is similar to the body's own physiological manner. GH also triggers the release of IGF-1 from the liver. GH and IGF-1 work together with the body's circadian rhythm to produce most of Sermorelin's benefits. IGF-1 and somatostatin will cause a negative feedback to the hypothalamus-pituitary-GH axis. This will limit the amount of GH that is produced from sermorelin and will help protect from excessive levels. Sermorelin will help endogenous production of GH, making it a compeling option amongst GH interventions.^1,2

Q. Is sermorelin contraindicated in cancer?

A. Currently, there are no studies showing that sermorelin increases the risk of developing cancer. Some research suggests that growth hormone plays a role in supporting the function of the thymus gland, which supports the immune system (important in surveilling for and neutralizing nascent cancerous cells). Improved sleep—sometimes reported with sermorelin—may also support healthy immune function. However, sermorelin has not been specifically studied in patients with active cancer or tumors. For this reason, it is generally recommended to avoid using sermorelin if you currently have cancer or a known tumor.^2,6,10

Q. Does sermorelin need to be titrated for initiation or weaned gradually for discontinuation?

Sermorelin dosing is generally simple and does not require gradually increasing or tapering the dose when starting or stopping. For most patients, the typical dose is 30 units using an insulin syringe. Some people, especially those who are younger, with a smaller body size, or who tend to be sensitive to medications, may do well with a lower dose, such as 15 units.

Q. How is sermorelin different from exogenous growth hormone?

A. Sermorelin is not growth hormone and instead stimulates the body’s natural process to release growth hormone in natural pulses and therefore, stays within normal physiologic levels. In contrast, taking growth hormone directly bypasses the body’s regulatory system and has been associated with potential downsides such as reduced responsiveness over time and metabolic risks. Sermorelin works by supporting the body’s natural hormone regulation and may help maintain healthy insulin sensitivity and pituitary function.^1,2

Q. Is sermorelin contraindicated in thyroid disease?

A. It is not contraindicated in thyroid disease. It is important to note that thyroid function regulates metabolic rate, and hyperthyroidism can alter growth hormone secretion. The takeaway is sermorelin may not exert its full potential benefits in the context of untreated thyroid disease. Candidates for sermorelin should monitor and correct any underlying thyroid disorders.^11,12

Q. Why should sermorelin be taken at night on an empty stomach?

A. Sermorelin works with the body’s natural hormone checks and balance system and is in part regulated by a hormone called somatostatin. After eating, somatostatin levels fluctuate, which may interfere with sermorelin's possible benefits. For this reason, it’s best to avoid late meals and also to take sermorelin at night, when our body naturally releases growth hormone.¹ Eating late in the evening should be avoided in any case for sleep and metabolic health reasons. Gastric emptying of a typical meal takes around 2 to 4 hours.

Q. What is the reason for cycling sermorelin?

A. Cycling sermorelin for 5 days out of 7 is a best-practice to ensure its pharmacological activity does not diminish over time. If a biological signal stays present for a long time, it may make the receptors it acts on become less responsive. Studies suggest that after about 16 weeks of using sermorelin, the body may become less responsive to IGF-1, the hormone responsible for many of its benefits.¹³ For this reason, a 2–4 week break every 3 months is also recommended.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMPOUNDED MEDICATIONS
This medication has been compounded (custom-prepared) by a pharmacy.
This compounded preparation:
- Has not been approved by the FDA
- Has not undergone FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality
- Is prepared specifically for you based on your prescriber's order
- Individual outcomes may vary
Compounded medications are not subject to FDA approval and lack the same safety and efficacy data as FDA-approved commercial medications.
This medication should be prescribed and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional familiar with the condition being addressed and the specific applications of the medication.

1. Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency? Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):307-8. doi: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.307. PMID: 18046908; PMCID: PMC2699646.
2. Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, Rivera-Mirabal J, Yu J, Kovac J, Pastuszak AW, Lipshultz LI. Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Mar;9(Suppl2):S149-S159. doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.11.30. PMID: 32257855; PMCID: PMC7108996.
3. Velloso CP. Regulation of muscle mass by growth hormone and IGF-I. Br J Pharmacol. 2008 Jun;154(3):557-68. doi: 10.1038/bjp.2008.153. PMID:18500379; PMCID: PMC2439518.
4. Sasanuma H, Nakata M, Parmila K, Nakae J, Yada T. PDK1-FoxO1 pathway in AgRP neurons of arcuate nucleus promotes bone formation via GHRH-GH-IGF1 axis. Mol Metab. 2017 Feb 17;6(5):428-439. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.02.003. PMID: 28462077; PMCID: PMC5404105.
5. Caicedo D, Díaz O, Devesa P, Devesa J. Growth Hormone (GH) and Cardiovascular System. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jan 18;19(1):290. doi: 10.3390/ijms19010290. PMID: 29346331; PMCID: PMC5796235.
6. Peterfi Z, McGinty D, Sarai E, Szymusiak R. Growth hormone-releasing hormone activates sleep regulatory neurons of the rat preoptic hypothalamus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2010;298(1):R147-R156. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00494.2009
7. Poudel SB, Dixit M, Neginskaya M, et al. Effects of GH/IGF on the Aging Mitochondria. Cells. 2020;9(6):1384. Published 2020 Jun 2. doi:10.3390/cells9061384
8. Dioufa N, Schally AV, Chatzistamou I, et al. Acceleration of wound healing by growth hormone-releasing hormone and its agonists. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107(43):18611-18615. doi:10.1073/pnas.1013942107
9. Taghizadeh B, Moradi R, Mirzavi F, Barati M, Soleimani A, Jaafari MR, Zarghami N. The protection role of human growth hormone on skin cells following ultraviolet B exposure. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2024 Aug 1;257:112961.
10. Fahy GM, Brooke RT, Watson JP, Good Z, Vasanawala SS, Maecker H, Leipold MD, Lin DT, Kobor MS, Horvath S. Reversal of epigenetic aging and immunosenescent trends in humans. Aging cell. 2019
11. Losa M, Scavini M, Gatti E, et al. Long-term effects of growth hormone replacement therapy on thyroid function in adults with growth hormone deficiency. Thyroid. 2008;18(12):1249-1254. doi:10.1089/thy.2008.0266
12. Valcavi R, Dieguez C, Zini M, Muruais C, Casanueva F, Portioli I. Influence of hyperthyroidism on growth hormone secretion. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1993;38(5):515-522. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.1993.tb00348.x
13. Khorram O, Laughlin GA, Yen SS. Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27] growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1–29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 1997 May 1;82(5):1472-9.
14. Sermorelin Acetate. In: Merative^TM Micromedex® DRUGDEX® September 25, 2023. Merative, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Available at: https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/ (cited: March/9/2026).