Growth-hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) analog
Sermorelin
A peptide that signals the pituitary gland to release the body's own growth hormone. Providers may consider it as part of a plan focused on recovery, sleep quality, and body composition.
- Class
- GHRH analog peptide
- How it's given
- Injection under the skin, usually at bedtime
- Programs
- Single course or 3-month program
- Before starting
- Labs + provider evaluation
Benefits
What sermorelin may do for you
Works with your own system
Prompts the pituitary to release your own growth hormone rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
Natural release pattern
Growth hormone is released in pulses, and the body's normal feedback controls stay in place.
Sleep and recovery
Providers may consider it to support recovery and sleep quality as part of a broader plan.
Body composition
May be used alongside nutrition and training when lean mass and body composition are the goal.
Monitored with labs
Your provider can check growth-hormone markers (such as IGF-1) to guide dosing.
Evidence for sermorelin in healthy adults is limited, and individual results vary. Your provider will review what is and isn't known before prescribing.
How it works
The science, simply.
Growth-hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) is made by the brain and tells the pituitary gland when to release growth hormone.
Sermorelin is made of the first 29 amino acids of GHRH, the part responsible for that signal. Because it works upstream, your body still regulates how much growth hormone is released.
What to expect
Your sermorelin program, step by step
- 01
Labs and medical evaluation
Every patient completes the Core Clearance lab panel and a consultation with a licensed provider before anything is prescribed.
- 02
Your prescription
Usually a small injection under the skin at bedtime. Your provider sets the dose and schedule.
- 03
Choose a program
Available as a single course or a three-month program.
- 04
Follow-up
Check-ins and labs to review how you're responding and any side effects.
Safety
Side effects and who it’s for
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Flushing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping or drowsiness
- Changes in taste
- Serious allergic reactions, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face or throat
- A known allergy to sermorelin or its ingredients
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active cancer
- Any history of cancer
- Thyroid conditions, since an underactive thyroid can reduce the response
- Diabetes or blood-sugar problems
- Steroid medications or other hormone therapies
Sermorelin was previously sold as an FDA-approved medication for children with growth-hormone deficiency; that product was discontinued by its manufacturer. Sermorelin is now available only from compounding pharmacies. Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved, and its use in adults for wellness or body composition is off-label. Prescription treatments require a medical evaluation by a licensed provider, who decides whether a treatment is appropriate for you. Not everyone qualifies. See Important Safety Information.
FAQ
Questions about sermorelin
Is sermorelin the same as growth hormone?
No. Sermorelin is a signal that prompts your pituitary gland to release its own growth hormone. It is not growth hormone itself.
When is it taken?
It's usually injected under the skin at bedtime, on the schedule your provider prescribes.
How long does a program last?
Élevé offers a single course or a three-month program. Your provider will recommend what fits your plan.
Can I combine it with a GLP-1?
Sometimes. Your provider decides whether combining therapies is appropriate based on your health history and labs.
Keep exploring
Tesamorelin
A peptide that stimulates the body's own growth-hormone release. It is FDA-approved to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy; any other use is off-label and decided case by case.
Learn about tesamorelin →
Peptide therapy at Élevé
How our providers approach peptide therapy, from labs to follow-up.
View the program →Start here
Ask a provider whether sermorelin is right for you.
A two-minute eligibility check, then a consultation with our clinical team.
Check eligibilityPrescription treatments require a medical evaluation by a licensed provider, who decides whether a treatment is appropriate for you. Not everyone qualifies.