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Peptide library · Growth hormone

Sermorelin

A synthetic copy of the first 29 amino acids of human growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Human studies exist, mainly in children and short-term endocrine experiments, while evidence for broad adult wellness use remains limited.

Last reviewed September 22, 2026

The short version

Sermorelin is a lab-made fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, the hypothalamic signal that tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The strongest direct human literature is older and centers on endocrine testing and children with growth-hormone deficiency. Adult longevity, body-composition and general wellness claims have much thinner support.

Earlier FDA-approved sermorelin products were discontinued, and today’s compounded sermorelin is not an FDA-approved finished drug. Promise’s listing does not change that FDA status.

What it is

Sermorelin acetate is an amidated synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of the human 44-amino-acid growth-hormone-releasing hormone, or GHRH. It binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary cells. It is not growth hormone itself and is not a steroid; it copies the upstream signal that prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone.

In papers it appears as GHRH(1-29), GRF(1-29) and GRF(1-29)NH2. Sermorelin has a molecular formula of C149H246N44O42S, molecular weight of 3,357.9 daltons and CAS number 86168-78-7. Its acetate salt has CAS number 114466-38-5.

Where the research stands

Human studies measured pituitary growth-hormone response after GHRH(1-29) and followed children with growth-hormone deficiency.24 Those findings do not establish broad benefits for healthy adults. A clinical editorial found the evidence insufficient for using growth-hormone secretagogues against aging.1

How far the evidence has climbed

  1. Cell studiesYesGHRH-receptor and pituitary biology
  2. Animal studiesYesGHRH analog research in several models
  3. Small human pilotsYesEndocrine and pharmacology studies
  4. Controlled human trialsLimitedOlder pediatric and endocrine studies
  5. FDA approvalNoFormer approved products were discontinued

Here is what some of the most-cited studies looked at. Each names its species, because evidence in one population does not settle another.

  • Humans1989

    Pituitary response in children

    In 20 short prepubertal children, investigators gave each child two GHRH peptides (1-40 and 1-29) at least one week apart and measured growth hormone and other pituitary hormones. It did not test current compounded treatment.2

  • Humans1993

    Pharmacology in healthy men

    A study of 30 healthy men measured circulation time and growth-hormone response after intravenous or intranasal GHRH(1-29). It did not test long-term outcomes or a current compounded preparation.3

  • Humans1996

    Pediatric growth-hormone deficiency

    A multicenter study followed prepubertal children with growth-hormone deficiency for a year and measured growth rate and IGF-1. This pediatric population is not evidence for healthy adults.4

  • Humans1997

    Older-adult endocrine study

    A 16-week study in older men and women used a modified GHRH(1-29) analogue and measured the growth-hormone axis, metabolic markers and adverse effects. The analogue was not identical to sermorelin.5

  • Review1999

    Pediatric evidence review

    A review covered sermorelin’s former roles in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth-hormone deficiency. It did not test broad adult wellness use.6

What the research can’t tell you

  • Pediatric evidence is population-specific

    Studies in children with diagnosed growth-hormone deficiency cannot establish results for healthy adults or for broad wellness goals.4

  • Adult claims outrun the trials

    An editorial concluded that growth-hormone secretagogues were not supported for preventing or treating effects attributed to aging.1

  • The GH and IGF-1 axis has tradeoffs

    Changing this axis can affect glucose handling, fluid balance and other endocrine signals. Long-term safety for compounded sermorelin in generally healthy adults has not been established.

  • Prohibited in sport

    WADA names sermorelin among growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogues prohibited at all times.7

FDA status

Former approved products were discontinued

FDA withdrew approval of the former sermorelin applications effective June 18, 2009.8 In 2013, FDA determined that those products had not been withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.9 That technical finding does not make current compounded sermorelin FDA-approved.

FDA states that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and that it does not verify their safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing.10 The former product approvals do not establish that a current compounded preparation is FDA-approved. The status of a particular preparation must be evaluated separately.

Promise Peptides is currently taking waitlist sign-ups. Joining is not a medical request and no prescription comes from it.

A prescription route

Promise is currently accepting waitlist signups. Joining is not a treatment request and does not result in a prescription. If treatment visits open, any treatment request would require clinical review; prescribing and pharmacy fulfillment would remain separate decisions.

  1. Start on Promise’s sermorelin page

    It shows what the treatment involves and its current availability.

  2. Answer the sermorelin questionnaire

    A licensed provider reviews health history, medicines and goals, and can decline. Not everyone qualifies.

  3. Pharmacy review is a separate step

    A prescription does not guarantee preparation or dispensing. A pharmacy must separately determine whether it can fulfill the prescription under the applicable requirements.

A current prescription does not revive a discontinued FDA approval or expand the evidence; it means a clinician reviewed the individual case.

Sermorelin at Promise

Read the treatment information and view the current waitlist.

Join the Promise waitlist

Peak may earn money when readers become Promise patients.

Joining does not guarantee future treatment availability. Availability would depend on the treatment, state, clinical review and separate pharmacy review.

Questions

Is sermorelin a steroid?

No. It is a peptide modelled on GHRH, a signaling hormone from the hypothalamus. It works upstream of pituitary growth-hormone release.

Is sermorelin FDA-approved now?

No current sermorelin product has FDA approval. Earlier approved products were discontinued, and current compounded preparations are not FDA-approved.810

Why were the former products discontinued?

FDA later determined they were not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons. The official notice does not turn that finding into a current approval.9

Sources

  1. Blackman MR. Use of growth hormone secretagogues to prevent or treat the effects of aging: not yet ready for prime time. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:677-679. PubMed 18981489
  2. Gelander L, et al. Effects of acute intravenous injection of two growth hormone-releasing hormones on serum growth hormone and other pituitary hormones in short children. Horm Res. 1989. PubMed 2515143
  3. Wilton P, et al. Pharmacokinetics of growth hormone-releasing hormone(1-29)-NH2 and stimulation of growth hormone secretion in healthy subjects. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1993. PubMed 8329825
  4. Thorner M, et al. Once daily subcutaneous growth hormone-releasing hormone therapy accelerates growth in growth hormone-deficient children during the first year of therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996;81:1189-1196. PubMed 8772599
  5. Khorram O, et al. Endocrine and metabolic effects of long-term administration of [Nle27]growth hormone-releasing hormone-(1-29)-NH2 in age-advanced men and women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997;82:1472-1479. PubMed 9141536
  6. Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. BioDrugs. 1999;12:139-157. PubMed 18031173
  7. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List (S2.2.4).
  8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Withdrawal of approval of new drug applications. Federal Register. May 19, 2009.
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Determination that sermorelin acetate injection products were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Federal Register. March 4, 2013.
  10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers.