Sermorelin reconstitution calculator

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What sermorelin is and its FDA history

Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide consisting of the first 29 amino acids of native human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Per the published pharmacology literature, this 29-amino-acid fragment is the shortest sequence that retains full biological activity of the 44-amino-acid native GHRH molecule. The compound binds to the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating endogenous growth hormone synthesis and release in a pulsatile pattern that mirrors physiological GH secretion.

Sermorelin has a clean FDA approval history that distinguishes it from most peptides covered on DrawDose. Per FDA records, sermorelin acetate was first approved in 1990 as Geref Diagnostic for assessing pituitary growth hormone secretory capacity. In 1997, sermorelin received a second FDA approval as Geref for the treatment of idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in children. The therapeutic approval was supported by clinical trials demonstrating that daily sermorelin injection produced measurable growth velocity improvements in pediatric patients with documented GHD.

In December 2008, EMD Serono (the manufacturer) notified FDA that they were discontinuing Geref production. The discontinuation was a commercial decision driven by the rise of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as the standard pediatric GHD treatment, which had taken sermorelin's market share. FDA's NDA approvals were formally withdrawn in June 2009. In 2013, following a citizen petition, FDA issued a formal determination that the Geref discontinuation was not for reasons of safety or efficacy — meaning the drug had a clean regulatory record at the time of discontinuation and generic ANDAs could be approved if pursued. None have been pursued in the years since.

This history matters editorially. Sermorelin is one of a small number of peptides covered on DrawDose with a documented FDA-approved track record at therapeutic doses in human patients. The published safety and efficacy data extend across pediatric and adult populations over multiple decades. This is a stronger evidence base than most research peptides, and the editorial register of this page reflects that.

How sermorelin differs from CJC-1295 and Mod GRF 1-29

Sermorelin and Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC) are both GHRH analogs based on the same 29-amino-acid GHRH fragment. The pharmacological difference comes from amino acid modifications.

Native GHRH 1-29, which is what sermorelin is, has a half-life of approximately 7 to 11 minutes per published pharmacokinetic data. The molecule is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) at position 2-3, which limits the duration of GHRH receptor activation. Sermorelin's GH-releasing pulse is therefore brief — well-suited to diagnostic use (a single brief stimulation to assess pituitary response) and to pulsatile dosing protocols, but less practical for sustained GH elevation goals.

Mod GRF 1-29 (also called Modified GRF 1-29 or CJC-1295 without DAC) modifies the same 29-amino-acid sequence with four amino acid substitutions (D-Ala at position 2, Gln at position 8, Ala at position 15, Leu at position 27) that prevent DPP-4 cleavage and improve binding affinity. The result is a longer half-life of approximately 30 minutes and a stronger GH-releasing pulse per injection. Mod GRF 1-29 has displaced sermorelin in many community protocols for this reason.

CJC-1295 with DAC adds a drug affinity complex (DAC) to Mod GRF 1-29 that binds serum albumin and extends the half-life to 6-8 days. This produces sustained GHRH receptor activation rather than pulses, with a different protocol logic from sermorelin.

In community practice, sermorelin's role has narrowed since the introduction of Mod GRF 1-29 and CJC-1295 with DAC. Sermorelin is still used by clinicians and patients who prefer a peptide with documented FDA-approved history over the modified versions, and by users running protocols where the brief sermorelin pulse is preferable to longer-acting analogs.

Quick answer for the most common vial sizes

The 3 mL : 3 mg ratio documented across compounding pharmacy formulation guides for sermorelin produces a 1 mg/mL concentration, where every 100 units delivers 1 mg.

The math holds at any concentration. DrawDose accepts any vial size and any BAC water volume and returns the correct syringe draw for the dose entered.

The 1 mg/mL ratio is the standard for sermorelin because it puts the typical 100-300 mcg per-injection dose at 10-30 units — easy to draw, easy to verify visually. For sub-100 mcg doses, a 0.3 mL (30-unit) insulin syringe gives much better visual precision than a 1 mL syringe.

How to reconstitute lyophilized sermorelin

The procedure follows the standard sterile-injection prep workflow documented in the original Geref prescribing information and compounding pharmacy formulation guides.

Bring the vial and BAC water to room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before mixing. Cold liquid hitting cold powder slows dissolution and increases the chance of clumping. Wipe both vial tops with an alcohol swab and let them dry. Draw the BAC water into a 1 mL syringe.

Insert the needle into the sermorelin vial at an angle so the water runs down the inside wall, not directly onto the powder pellet. Direct impingement on lyophilized peptide generates foam and can affect peptide structure. Once the water is in, swirl the vial gently for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not shake. Sermorelin dissolves clearly when properly reconstituted; cloudiness or particulate that does not clear within a minute indicates a sourcing concern.

Per the original Geref prescribing information, sermorelin was provided as a sterile lyophilized powder for subcutaneous injection after reconstitution with sterile saline or sterile water for injection. Bacteriostatic water (the standard for community use) extends shelf life from 24 hours to multiple weeks but was not the FDA-approved diluent for the original brand product.

Why concentration determines syringe units

The relationship between vial size, BAC water, and syringe draw is fixed by concentration math. A 3 mg vial with 3 mL of water gives 1 mg/mL — every 100 units delivers 1 mg, so a 200 mcg dose draws as 20 units. The same 3 mg vial with 1.5 mL of water gives 2 mg/mL, where 100 units delivers 2 mg. To hit the same 200 mcg target dose, the draw at 2 mg/mL is 10 units instead of 20.

Standard reconstitution practice keeps the draw between 10 and 100 units on a 1 mL insulin syringe. Sermorelin's typical 100-300 mcg per-injection dose at 1 mg/mL produces draws in the 10-30 unit range, which is the precision band. DrawDose computes this automatically; the auto-selected BAC water volume on the result panel is tuned to keep the draw in a measurable band.

Documented dosing protocols

The strongest dosing data for sermorelin comes from the original Geref FDA-approved use in pediatric growth hormone deficiency. Per the Geref prescribing information, the approved pediatric dose was 0.03 mg/kg administered subcutaneously once daily at bedtime. For a 30 kg child, this corresponds to approximately 900 mcg per injection. Per the Prakash and Goa 1999 review in BioDrugs, daily sermorelin at this dose produced measurable growth velocity improvements in approximately 74% of pediatric GHD patients within 6 months.

Per the Walker 2006 review in Clinical Interventions in Aging, sermorelin has been studied off-label in adult populations for age-related GH decline. The published adult dosing protocols range from 0.1 to 0.5 mg per injection, administered subcutaneously once or twice daily. The 200-300 mcg pre-bed dose is the most commonly documented adult protocol.

Community protocol surveys aggregated from r/Peptides, r/PeptideHowTo, and clinician-published peptide guides describe sermorelin dosing as follows.

The standard dose is 100 to 300 mcg per injection administered subcutaneously on an empty stomach, typically pre-bed to align with natural nocturnal GH surge. Some protocols add a second daily injection upon waking, also on an empty stomach. The pre-bed timing is universal across community and clinical-practice guides because of GH's natural circadian peak during early sleep.

Sermorelin is commonly stacked with a GHRP (typically ipamorelin) for synergistic GH release through dual receptor pathway activation. Standard combination dosing is 100 mcg sermorelin plus 200 mcg ipamorelin per injection, 1-2 times daily. The two peptides are chemically compatible in bacteriostatic water solution.

Cycle length in community practice runs 8 to 16 weeks followed by a 4 to 8 week off period. Some long-term users continue indefinitely without cycling. The clinical-practice rationale for cycling relates to receptor sensitivity preservation, though the published data on receptor downregulation under chronic sermorelin administration is limited.

Stacking with ipamorelin or GHRPs

The canonical sermorelin combination is co-injection with ipamorelin (or another selective GHRP). The two peptides act through different receptor pathways: sermorelin via the GHRH receptor, ipamorelin via the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). Co-administration produces a synergistic GH pulse meaningfully larger than either peptide alone.

Standard combination dosing: 100 mcg sermorelin plus 200 mcg ipamorelin, administered subcutaneously 1 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach. Pre-bed dosing is universal; multi-dose protocols add upon-waking and pre-workout injections.

Some users substitute Mod GRF 1-29 for sermorelin in this combination, given Mod GRF 1-29's longer half-life and stronger GH pulse. The substitution produces a slightly longer-acting GHRH signal alongside the same ipamorelin pulse. The two GHRH analogs are not typically combined in the same protocol — the rationale is that they target the same receptor, so simultaneous use produces receptor saturation rather than additive effect.

The negative feedback regulation that distinguishes sermorelin (and Mod GRF 1-29) from exogenous GH is worth noting. Per the original Geref prescribing information and the broader GHRH literature, sermorelin's GH-releasing effect is modulated by somatostatin (the body's natural GH-inhibiting hormone). When GH levels are elevated, somatostatin secretion increases, which dampens the next sermorelin-induced GH pulse. This auto-regulation means it is difficult to overdose sermorelin in a way that produces sustained GH excess — the body's natural feedback prevents accumulation. This is in contrast to exogenous rhGH, which bypasses the feedback loop entirely and can produce supraphysiological GH levels with chronic use.

Adverse reactions and safety profile

Per the original Geref prescribing information and the published clinical trial data in pediatric and adult populations, sermorelin has an excellent safety profile. The most commonly reported adverse reactions in pediatric trials were injection site reactions (redness, mild swelling, pain), occasional flushing, and mild headache. Frequency was low and most reactions were transient.

Per the Walker 2006 adult review and subsequent off-label use literature, adult sermorelin protocols have produced a similar adverse event profile: injection site reactions, transient flushing, occasional headache. The negative feedback regulation via somatostatin prevents the chronic GH excess that drives the more severe side effects seen with supraphysiological rhGH dosing.

Theoretical safety concerns documented in the broader GH/IGF-1 literature apply to sermorelin to a lesser extent than to direct GH supplementation. Elevated IGF-1 has been associated with tumor growth in cancers that express IGF-1 receptors; users with active or recent malignancy are universally contraindicated in clinical-practice guidelines. Pregnancy, untreated thyroid disorders, and pituitary tumors are documented contraindications across both pediatric and adult prescribing references.

The "difficult to overdose" framing from the Geref prescribing information should be understood in context. Sermorelin is harder to overdose than rhGH because of the somatostatin feedback loop, but extreme doses can still produce transient supraphysiological GH levels. The feedback regulation is a safety feature, not an absolute prevention.

WADA prohibited status

Sermorelin is on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List under category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), banned at all times — in and out of competition — for athletes subject to anti-doping testing. The WADA classification covers sermorelin alongside other GHRH analogs and growth hormone secretagogues.

Detection methods for synthetic GHRH analogs have improved in the years since the 2008 Geref discontinuation. The detection window for sermorelin in urine is short (hours to a few days after a single dose) due to its brief plasma half-life, but the accumulated metabolite profile from chronic use can extend detectability. Athletes who have used sermorelin within recent weeks should expect detection if tested.

Common reconstitution errors

Compounded peptide forums and pharmacy QA literature document a recurring set of errors specific to sermorelin.

Confusing sermorelin with Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC). The two peptides have similar dosing and the names are sometimes used interchangeably, but the molecular structures differ at four amino acid positions. The COA's molecular weight is the disambiguator: sermorelin is approximately 3,357.9 Da; Mod GRF 1-29 is approximately 3,367.9 Da. Mass spec confirmation is the QC check.

Drawing too small a volume on too large a syringe. A 100 mcg dose at 1 mg/mL is 10 units on a 1 mL insulin syringe. Some users default to 1 mL syringes regardless of draw volume; for sub-200 mcg doses, a 0.3 mL (30-unit) insulin syringe gives much better visual precision.

Eating before injection. Per growth hormone physiology research, elevated insulin from food intake suppresses GH release. Injecting sermorelin within 2 to 3 hours of a meal reduces the peptide's GH-releasing effect significantly. Standard practice is fasted-state injection, often pre-bed (3+ hours after dinner) or upon waking before breakfast.

Reusing reconstituted vials beyond 2 to 4 weeks. Per peptide stability literature, reconstituted sermorelin remains stable for approximately 2 to 4 weeks at 2 to 8°C with bacteriostatic water containing benzyl alcohol preservative.

Storage and shelf life

Per the original Geref prescribing information and subsequent peptide stability literature, lyophilized sermorelin stores for 24 months or longer at -20°C and 12 months or longer at 2 to 8°C. Reconstituted sermorelin stays stable for 2 to 4 weeks at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F) when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water containing benzyl alcohol preservative. Sterile water without preservative produces a 24-hour shelf life from first puncture, per the Geref prescribing information.

Heat exposure during shipping is the most documented threat to potency.

What to verify on a Certificate of Analysis

The COA reports the actual peptide content of a specific lot. Net peptide weight is the measured milligrams of peptide in the vial, separate from any excipients (mannitol, sodium chloride, glycine) included for stability. Purity by HPLC reflects the percentage of UV-absorbing material that is the target peptide; 95% is the research-grade minimum the peptide industry has converged on, and 98% is the standard most reputable vendors publish for sermorelin.

Mass spec confirmation matches the expected molecular weight (3,357.9 Da for sermorelin) and verifies the peptide's identity against substitution with Mod GRF 1-29 or other GHRH analogs.

Documented combinations

The most documented combination is sermorelin plus ipamorelin (or another selective GHRP), covered in detail in the "Stacking with ipamorelin or GHRPs" section above.

Sermorelin plus melatonin is documented in some clinical-practice protocols where sleep quality is the goal alongside GH elevation. The rationale: both compounds support the natural nocturnal GH surge, and both are taken pre-bed. The combination is community practice; no controlled trial has evaluated the pairing as a co-administered protocol.

Sermorelin plus other GHRH analogs (Mod GRF 1-29, CJC-1295 with DAC, tesamorelin) is not documented as a stable practice. All four compounds activate the same GHRH receptor; co-administration produces receptor saturation rather than additive effect.

FAQ

Is sermorelin FDA-approved?

Sermorelin was FDA-approved as Geref Diagnostic in 1990 (diagnostic use) and Geref in 1997 (therapeutic use for pediatric growth hormone deficiency). The manufacturer EMD Serono discontinued production in 2008 for commercial reasons. FDA formally withdrew the NDA approvals in 2009 and issued a 2013 determination that the discontinuation was not for safety or efficacy reasons. As of April 2026, no generic sermorelin product has FDA approval, but the molecule has a documented FDA-approved track record from its 1990-2008 marketed period.

Why was Geref discontinued?

Per the FDA Federal Register notice and subsequent published reviews, EMD Serono discontinued Geref because recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) had become the standard treatment for pediatric growth hormone deficiency, taking sermorelin's market share. The decision was commercial, not safety-related — FDA's 2013 determination explicitly stated that the discontinuation was not for reasons of safety or efficacy.

How is sermorelin different from CJC-1295 or Mod GRF 1-29?

Sermorelin is the unmodified first 29 amino acids of native GHRH. Mod GRF 1-29 (CJC-1295 without DAC) modifies that same sequence with four amino acid substitutions that prevent DPP-4 cleavage and extend half-life from approximately 7-11 minutes to approximately 30 minutes. CJC-1295 with DAC adds a drug affinity complex that further extends half-life to 6-8 days. Sermorelin produces the briefest GH pulse of the three; Mod GRF 1-29 produces a stronger pulse; CJC-1295 with DAC produces sustained activation.

Is sermorelin banned by WADA?

Yes. Sermorelin is on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List under category S2, banned at all times — in and out of competition — for athletes subject to anti-doping testing. The WADA classification covers sermorelin alongside other GHRH analogs.

Why does sermorelin have a documented safety record when other peptides don't?

Sermorelin's FDA approval as Geref required safety and efficacy data from controlled clinical trials in pediatric patients. The trials extended over multiple years and produced published prescribing information with documented adverse event profiles. Most research peptides have not been through this regulatory process and have only community survey data or smaller trials. Sermorelin's documented track record is a function of its successful FDA approval pathway, even though that approval was later withdrawn for commercial reasons.

Can I overdose on sermorelin?

Per the original Geref prescribing information, sermorelin's GH-releasing effect is modulated by somatostatin negative feedback. When GH levels rise, somatostatin secretion increases, which dampens subsequent sermorelin-induced GH pulses. This auto-regulation makes sermorelin difficult to overdose in a way that produces sustained supraphysiological GH levels. Extreme doses can still produce transient effects, but the feedback loop prevents the chronic GH excess seen with rhGH overdose.

What's the difference between using sermorelin alone versus stacking with ipamorelin?

Per published GH physiology and community protocol surveys, sermorelin alone produces a brief GH pulse via the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin alone produces a brief GH pulse via the ghrelin receptor. The combination produces a synergistic GH pulse meaningfully larger than either peptide alone — typically 2 to 3 times the magnitude of single-peptide injection. The combination is the canonical clinical-practice protocol for adults using sermorelin off-label for GH optimization.