Sermorelin

Also known as Sermorelin acetate, Geref (discontinued)

A GHRH analog that stimulates the body's own growth-hormone release; formerly FDA-approved, now compounded.

BEvidence Grade B: Clinical EvidenceFormerly FDA-approved; now compounded (prescription)Banned in sport (WADA)

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD

Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy

Quick answer

Sermorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that prompts the pituitary to secrete more of the body's own growth hormone. It was formerly FDA-approved (as Geref) and has real human data as a GH secretagogue, but it is now available only through compounding, and it is prohibited in sport.

Drug class: GHRH analog (growth-hormone secretagogue)
FDA status: Formerly approved (Geref); now compounded
Route: Subcutaneous injection
Evidence grade: B (Clinical Evidence)
Banned in sport: Yes (WADA)

Key takeaways

→Sermorelin stimulates the body's own growth-hormone production rather than replacing it, unlike synthetic HGH.
→It was previously FDA-approved as Geref, giving it a stronger human-evidence footing than most research peptides (grade B).
→The branded product was discontinued for commercial reasons, not safety, and it is now used off the approved market via compounding.
→Best-documented effect is raising GH and IGF-1 levels; long-term anti-aging outcome data in healthy adults is limited.
→It is prohibited in sport under WADA as a growth-hormone secretagogue.

Sermorelin occupies an unusual middle ground among peptides: it once held FDA approval, which sets it apart from research compounds like BPC-157. It is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, used to prompt the pituitary gland to release more of the body's own growth hormone. That mechanism, and its regulatory history, give it a more solid evidence base than most peptides marketed for anti-aging and recovery.

How Sermorelin works

Sermorelin reproduces the active portion of GHRH, the hormone that signals the pituitary to secrete growth hormone. Rather than injecting growth hormone directly, sermorelin stimulates the body's own pulsatile GH release, which preserves natural feedback regulation. This is the main theoretical advantage over synthetic HGH and the reason it was historically used in diagnostic testing of GH secretion.

What the evidence shows, by use

Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.

Stimulating growth-hormone / IGF-1

BClinical Evidence

Human data supports sermorelin as a growth-hormone secretagogue; this was the basis of its former approval and diagnostic use.

Adult anti-aging / body composition

CEmerging Human Data

Used off-label for these goals, but rigorous long-term outcome data in healthy adults is limited.

Dosing

Sermorelin is a prescription compound typically given as a subcutaneous injection, often at night to align with natural GH release, under a clinician's supervision. Because the branded product is discontinued, current use relies on compounded formulations, so exact dosing depends on the pharmacy and the prescriber. Dosing should be individualized by a licensed clinician.

Side effects

•Injection-site redness, swelling or pain · Common
•Flushing · Less common
•Headache · Less common
•Dizziness or nausea · Reported

Full Sermorelinside effects →

Legal & regulatory status

Sermorelin was formerly FDA-approved (Geref) and is now available by prescription through compounding. It is prohibited in sport under WADA.

Is Sermorelinlegal? Full regulatory status →

Where to get it: TeleRanked independently ranks the telehealth providers that offer clinician-prescribed peptides. See our Peptide Therapy rankings. We rank providers, we do not sell compounds, and rankings are never for sale.

Frequently asked questions

Is sermorelin FDA-approved?+

It was formerly FDA-approved as Geref, but that branded product was discontinued. It is now available by prescription through compounding rather than as an approved commercial drug.

How is sermorelin different from HGH?+

Sermorelin stimulates the body's own growth-hormone release through the GHRH pathway, preserving natural feedback control, whereas synthetic HGH replaces the hormone directly.

Is sermorelin banned in sport?+

Yes. As a growth-hormone secretagogue, sermorelin is prohibited under the WADA framework.

How we grade evidence

Grade B: Clinical Evidence. Human randomized or controlled trials support use, but it is not FDA-approved for this purpose. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.

Sources

1.Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs database · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
2.WADA Prohibited List · World Anti-Doping Agency
3.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration