Sermorelin

Quickstart Highlights

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid fragment of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1–29) that prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone in a physiological, pulsatile pattern and raises IGF-1. It was FDA-approved as Geref (1997–2008) for pediatric growth hormone deficiency and diagnostic use, and remains compoundable by prescription in the United States. This educational protocol presents a nightly subcutaneous schedule given 30–60 minutes before bed on an empty stomach: 100–200 mcg in weeks 1–2, 300 mcg in weeks 3–8 and 500 mcg from week 9 if warranted, over a 3–6 month course, using a 2.0 mL reconstitution (5 mg/mL) for whole-unit measurement on a U-100 insulin syringe.

• Reconstitute: Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water → 5 mg/mL concentration.
• Dose range: 100–500 mcg (0.1–0.5 mg) once nightly, 5 nights on / 2 off, subcutaneously, 30–60 minutes before bed on an empty stomach (3–6 month course).
• Easy measuring: At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 50 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
• Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within 28 days.
• Label: The historical Geref label dosed every night at bedtime (pediatric 30 mcg/kg; adult compounding reference 0.2–0.3 mg); most dosing references use 5 nights on / 2 off.

Protocol Overview

Concise summary of the nightly bedtime regimen.

• Goal: Restore pulsatile growth hormone release and raise IGF-1 to support sleep quality, recovery and body composition while preserving the pituitary feedback loop.
• Schedule: Subcutaneous injections once nightly before bed, 5 nights on / 2 off (or every night per the label convention), over a 3–6 month course.
• Dose Range: 100 mcg (0.1 mg) to 500 mcg (0.5 mg) nightly: 100–200 mcg in weeks 1–2, 300 mcg in weeks 3–8, and 500 mcg from week 9 onward only if warranted by response.
• Reconstitution: 2 mL per 10 mg vial (5 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements on standard insulin syringes.
• Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); reconstituted refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 28 days; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
• Evidence: Based on the FDA-approved Geref label (route, bedtime timing and dose range) plus concordant compounding-pharmacy references; the 5-on / 2-off pattern and 3–6 month course length are conventions rather than trial-derived, so confidence is high for dose and timing and medium for cycling.

Dosing Protocol

Suggested nightly titration approach based on the historical FDA label, compounding-pharmacy practice and research-community conventions.

• Weeks 1–2: 100 mcg (0.1 mg) once nightly to establish tolerance.
• Weeks 1–2 (upper): 200 mcg (0.2 mg) once nightly for those starting at the lower end of the compounding-pharmacy adult reference (0.2–0.3 mg).
• Weeks 3–8: 300 mcg (0.3 mg) once nightly, the standard adult reference amount.
• Week 9 onward (if warranted): 500 mcg (0.5 mg) once nightly, an upper reference some sources use after 4–8 weeks based on IGF-1 and response.
• Frequency: Once per night (subcutaneous injection). Most dosing references use 5 nights on / 2 off to limit desensitization; the Geref label and compounding pharmacies dose every night.
• Timing: 30–60 minutes before bed on an empty stomach (2–3 hours after the last meal, no food for about 1 hour after) to coincide with the first slow-wave-sleep GH pulse.
• Cycle: 3–6 month course, then reassess; sleep and recovery changes are reported within 2–4 weeks and body-composition changes over 3–6 months.
• Monitoring: Baseline and 6–12 week IGF-1, fasting glucose and a thyroid panel are the markers sources describe.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage preserves product quality and efficacy.

• Lyophilized (powder): Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) protected from light for long-term storage; the label specifies 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) refrigeration, which is acceptable for shorter periods.
• Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze. Use within 28 days; sources range from 14 days to a 30-day pharmacy window, so 28 days is the practical outside limit.
• Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation uptake.
• Store reconstituted vials upright and protected from light; swirl rather than shake when dissolving.

Important Notes

Practical considerations for consistency and safety.

• Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a proper sharps container.
• Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from the navel, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and avoid lipohypertrophy; about 1 in 6 label-era patients had injection-site reactions.
• Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
• Label history: Geref (Serono) was FDA-approved in 1997 and withdrawn in 2008 for commercial reasons, not safety. The label dosed once daily at bedtime (30 mcg/kg pediatric; adult compounding reference 0.2–0.3 mg) and supplied 2 mL of diluent per vial.
• Regulatory: Not approved by Health Canada; in the United States sermorelin remains on the FDA 503A Category 1 list and can be compounded with a prescription. The research vial is for research use only.
• Evidence caveat: The label covers pediatric GHD and diagnostic use; adult nightly protocols rest on compounding-pharmacy practice and small older trials rather than modern RCTs, and sources describe them as conservative practice rather than an empirically validated optimum.
• Fasted timing: Sources specify an empty stomach (2–3 hours after the last meal, no food for about 1 hour after) so the injection coincides with the natural nocturnal GH pulse; keep this consistent from night to night.
• Monitor IGF-1 and thyroid function: hypothyroidism was reported in about 6.5% of FDA-era trial participants, and anti-GRF antibodies develop in a large proportion of patients without loss of effect. Caution with active malignancy.

How This Works

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the N-terminal fragment of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1–29). It binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs and triggers a physiological pulse of growth hormone, which in turn raises hepatic IGF-1 and drives downstream effects on sleep architecture, recovery, lipolysis and lean mass. Because the pituitary and the somatostatin feedback loop remain intact, GH release stays pulsatile and self-limiting, so the risk of GH excess is lower than with exogenous growth hormone. The peptide itself has a half-life of only 11–12 minutes, which is why dosing is timed 30–60 minutes before sleep on an empty stomach to coincide with the first slow-wave-sleep GH pulse. The historical Geref label established the route, bedtime timing and dose range; sources report sleep and recovery changes within 2–4 weeks and body-composition shifts over 3–6 months, and a cited 16-week trial found sustained response without desensitization.

Potential Benefits & Side Effects

Observations from the historical FDA label, compounding-pharmacy practice and older clinical literature.

Potential Benefits:

• Stimulates endogenous pulsatile GH release and raises IGF-1 (label mechanism, confirmed in clinical use).
• Improved sleep depth and recovery, reported within 2–4 weeks in dosing references.
• Body-composition shifts (lean mass up, fat down) over 3–6 months, reported in compounding-pharmacy and community sources.
• Preserves negative feedback via somatostatin, so lower risk of GH excess than exogenous GH.
• Historically increased growth velocity in GHD children (label indication); a cited 16-week trial showed sustained response without desensitization.

Potential Side Effects:

• Injection-site pain, redness or swelling (about 1 in 6 patients on the label).
• Headache, flushing, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea or vomiting.
• Dysphagia, hives and hyperactivity (label-listed, rare).
• Anti-GRF antibody formation in a large proportion of patients, without loss of growth effect.
• Hypothyroidism reported in about 6.5% of FDA-era trial participants; monitor thyroid function.
• Water retention, tingling and elevated fasting glucose are possible with any GH secretagogue; contraindicated with known hypersensitivity and used with caution in active malignancy.

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies for sleep, recovery and body-composition outcomes.

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule of 7–9 hours; the protocol is timed to the first slow-wave-sleep GH pulse, so irregular bedtimes undermine the rationale.
• Finish the last meal 2–3 hours before the injection and avoid food for about an hour afterward, as sources specify an empty stomach.
• Combine resistance training and aerobic activity to make use of the GH/IGF-1 anabolic and lipolytic effects.
• Maintain a protein-forward, balanced diet to support lean-mass gains over the 3–6 month course.
• Limit alcohol and late-evening screen exposure, both of which degrade slow-wave sleep.
• Track IGF-1, fasting glucose and thyroid markers at baseline and 6–12 weeks, and log sleep quality and body measurements to judge response.

Injection Technique

General subcutaneous injection guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

• Clean the vial stopper and chosen skin site with separate alcohol swabs; allow both to dry completely before proceeding.
• Pinch a fold of skin between your fingers; insert the needle at a 45–90° angle into the subcutaneous tissue (fatty layer, not muscle).
• Do not aspirate (pull back the plunger) when giving a subcutaneous injection.
• Inject the solution slowly and steadily; wait at least 6 seconds after injection before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery and minimize leakage.
• Withdraw the needle and apply light pressure with a clean swab; avoid rubbing vigorously.
• Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to prevent lipohypertrophy and maintain consistent absorption.
• Dispose of used syringes and needles immediately in a proper sharps container.

Recommended Source

We recommend Amino Labs for high-purity Sermorelin (10 mg vials).

Note: Product availability and specifications subject to change. Verify current product details on supplier website.

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