Source: https://peakpeptides.com/peptides/sermorelin/ 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 At a glance - **Also called:** GHRH(1-29); GRF(1-29)NH2; sermorelin acetate - **What it is:** A 29-amino-acid GHRH analogue - **Evidence:** Human endocrine studies, mostly small or older - **FDA status:** Former approved products were discontinued - **In sport:** Prohibited at all times by WADA - **At Promise Peptides:** Listed; currently waitlist-only 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.[2][4] 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 studies · Yes · GHRH-receptor and pituitary biology 2. Animal studies · Yes · GHRH analog research in several models 3. Small human pilots · Yes · Endocrine and pharmacology studies 4. Controlled human trials · Limited · Older pediatric and endocrine studies 5. FDA approval · No · Former 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. - **Pituitary response in children** (Humans · 1989): 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] - **Pharmacology in healthy men** (Humans · 1993): 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] - **Pediatric growth-hormone deficiency** (Humans · 1996): 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] - **Older-adult endocrine study** (Humans · 1997): 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] - **Pediatric evidence review** (Review · 1999): 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](https://mypromise.com/products/sermorelin?utm_source=peak&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=library&utm_content=sermorelin) 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.[8][10] ### 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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/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](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18031173/) 7. World Anti-Doping Agency. [The 2026 Prohibited List](https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list) (S2.2.4). 8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Withdrawal of approval of new drug applications](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/05/19/E9-11628/novartis-pharmaceuticals-corp-et-al-withdrawal-of-approval-of-92-new-drug-applications-and-49). *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](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2013-03-04/pdf/2013-04827.pdf). *Federal Register*. March 4, 2013. 10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. [Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers). ## Also in the library - [CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin](https://peakpeptides.com/peptides/cjc-1295-ipamorelin/) (Growth hormone) - [MOTS-c](https://peakpeptides.com/peptides/mots-c/) (Mitochondrial peptide) - [NAD+](https://peakpeptides.com/peptides/nad-plus/) (Coenzyme) - [Tirzepatide](https://peakpeptides.com/peptides/tirzepatide/) (Metabolic) --- Peak maps the terrain; it does not examine anyone, so nothing here is medical advice, and the decision about any treatment belongs to a licensed provider who has reviewed your health. Peak may earn money when readers become Promise patients. Peak is not affiliated with any company called Peak Peptides or Peak Performance Peptides.