Sermorelin
GRF 1-29 · Geref
GHRH(1-29). Historical Geref was a US pediatric product and is not a current anti-aging NDA. Nightly research-chem shots are not mcg/kg Geref. Not somatropin. Stack slogans are not a label.
Use-case scores
0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.
- Muscle / recomp4/10
Pediatric GHD literature and adult wellness use. Geref is not a living US brand. Community/small-human after haircut: 4. Not 7 for “FDA-approved anti-aging.”
- Recovery & sleep3.5/10
Nocturnal GH pulse is physiology. Vivid-dream anecdotes are not a sleep RCT.
Compound card
- Sequence
- GHRH(1-29)-NH2
- Class
- GHRH fragment (historical Geref; withdrawn US brand, not current rhGH)
- Formula
- C149H246N44O42S1
- Status
- Not FDA-approved · research use
How it works
Sermorelin (GRF 1-29) is a bioidentical analog of natural Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH), consisting of the first 29 amino acids of the 44-amino-acid GHRH peptide. These 29 amino acids contain the full biological activity of the complete molecule.
Sermorelin stimulates pituitary somatotroph cells to produce and release growth hormone in a pulsatile, physiological pattern. Unlike exogenous HGH, it still has to go through the pituitary, so output is capped by somatotroph reserve and somatostatin. That is not a guarantee of “no supraphysiological GH.” Geref was FDA-approved for pediatric use and is not a current US brand. Adult anti-aging use is off-label compounded peptide, not that label.
Source: PMID: 9677584
Background & History
Sermorelin is GHRH(1-29). Geref was a US pediatric GHD product and is not a current anti-aging NDA. Walker 2006 (PMID 18046908) is an editorial. Prakash/Goa 1999 (PMID 18031173) is the BioDrugs review.
Research Use Cases
- ✓GHRH(1-29) identity vs tesamorelin vs Mod GRF vs somatropin
- ✓Historical Geref, not a current anti-aging NDA
- ✓Not a 2–5× GH stack slogan
Dosing
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting / Clinical | 200 - 300 mcg | Nightly before bed (SC) | Standard clinical dose. Inject on an empty stomach (1+ hours after last meal) to maximize the GH pulse. |
| Standard Stack | 250 mcg Sermorelin + 200 mcg Ipamorelin | Nightly before bed (SC) | Common GHRH + GHRP mix. Two receptors, not a labeled 2–5× GH claim. |
Administration
Timeline
Who it is for
Need GHRH(1-29) identity
ModerateThis is the fragment. Geref history is pediatric, not a 2026 anti-aging NDA.
Need rhGH itself
LowThat is somatropin. Different page, different suppression profile.
Reconstitution
| Vial | Water | Concentration | Example dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg lyophilized | 2.5 mL BAC | 2 mg/mL | 200 mcg = 0.10 mL = 10 units on a U-100. |
Change vial size or water volume? Open the reconstitution calculator.
Safety & Considerations
Geref is not a current US brand. Compounded sermorelin is not that label. Flushing and headache show up. Active malignancy is a GH-class conversation. Not “safer HGH forever.”
Regulatory & Legal Status
Former FDA approval withdrawn; available in US via licensed compounding pharmacies
Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping controls should not use Sermorelin.
Compounded Drug (Rx)
US Compounding: Available via licensed pharmacy Rx
⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.
Limits of current evidence
- Walker’s PMID is 18046908, not 18046879. It is an editorial.
- Pediatric mcg/kg Geref math is not 250 mcg bedtime wellness.
- “2–5× GH with ipamorelin” is a stack slogan, not a labeled endpoint.
- Geref withdrawal means “FDA-approved” is history, not a 2026 pharmacy SKU.
Verdict
Sermorelin is GHRH(1-29). Geref was a US product for pediatric GHD diagnosis/treatment and is not a current anti-aging NDA. Walker 2006 is an editorial (PMID 18046908), not a Phase 3. Prakash/Goa 1999 (PMID 18031173) is the BioDrugs review. It is not “safer HGH forever.”
Interactions & Contraindications
Same GH-class cautions as other GHRH analogs: glucose, active cancer, glucocorticoids blunt the pulse.
Synergies & Common Stacks
GHRH + GHRP mix. Clinics sell it. Dual-receptor physiology is real. Wellness-clinic popularity is not a labeled endpoint.
Sermorelin vs. Tesamorelin
Canonical comparison: Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin
| Attribute | Sermorelin | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Not FDA-approved (was revoked) | FDA-approved (Egrifta® - HIV lipodystrophy) |
| Half-Life | ~11–13 minutes | ~26 minutes (longer-acting) |
| Potency | Moderate GH stimulation | Stronger - more potent GHRH analog |
| Best For | General GH/IGF-1 anti-aging protocol | Visceral fat reduction (clinical + wellness) |
| WADA Status | Prohibited (S2) | Prohibited (S2) |
| Availability | Compounded pharmacy (Rx) | Branded Rx + compounded |
Verdict: Tesamorelin is the more potent and clinically validated GHRH analog with FDA approval for lipodystrophy. Sermorelin is more widely compounded and used for general anti-aging GH optimization at lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sermorelin preferred over HGH?▼
What is the best time to inject Sermorelin?▼
Can Sermorelin be combined with Ipamorelin?▼
References
- Walker RF “Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset GH insufficiency?.” Clinical Interventions in Aging (2006). PMID: 18046908
- Prakash A, Goa KL “Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.” BioDrugs (1999). PMID: 18031173
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