Sermorelin
Also known as: Sermorelin acetate, GRF (1-29), GHRH (1-29), Geref (discontinued brand name)
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide made of 29 amino acids. It corresponds to the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the portion research has identified as the biologically active segment. It belongs to a class of compounds known as growth hormone secretagogues, which act on the pituitary rather than supplying growth hormone directly.
How it works
Research describes sermorelin as binding to GHRH receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, which stimulates the pituitary to synthesize and release the body's own growth hormone. Because the release remains subject to the body's normal feedback control through somatostatin, published pharmacology characterizes the resulting growth hormone secretion as pulsatile rather than continuous. This mechanism differs from recombinant human growth hormone, which delivers the hormone directly into the bloodstream.
Researched uses
- Studied as a diagnostic agent for assessing pituitary growth hormone reserve
- Studied for growth hormone deficiency in children with idiopathic growth failure
- Studied for age-related decline in growth hormone secretion in adults
- Studied for effects on body composition, including lean mass and fat mass
- Studied for effects on sleep quality
Sermorelin acetate was previously FDA-approved under the brand name Geref, approved in 1997 for growth hormone deficiency in children and for use as a diagnostic test of pituitary growth hormone reserve. The manufacturer discontinued the branded product in 2008 for commercial reasons; the FDA later determined it was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. No FDA-approved sermorelin product is currently marketed. It is now available in the United States only through licensed compounding pharmacies with a prescription. Compounded sermorelin is not an FDA-approved drug. Any use in adults is off-label. Sermorelin is not a controlled substance.
Sermorelin providers compared
Providers that have passed our rubric review are listed first, then ordered by the total cost of a 3-month protocol. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the headline figure folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee plus three months of membership. Use the calculator below to adjust the length and see the same total broken out.
| Provider | Sourcing | What's included | Verified | Visit provider | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RxPepsDirectVerified Sermorelin | 503A pharmacy | $279 for 3 months (est.) ≈3 vials · $80/vial incl. $39 consult | Consult fee extra · no membership | Jul 8, 2026 vial price | View |
Ellie MDVerified Sermorelin | 503A pharmacy | $528 for 3 months $176 per month | No consult fee · no membership · shipping included | Jul 7, 2026 | View |
Valhalla VitalityVerified Sermorelin Therapy | 503A pharmacy | $537 for 3 months (est.) ≈3 vials · $179/vial | No consult fee · no membership | Jul 9, 2026 vial price | View |
We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best window for comparing cost and value. Monthly plans are multiplied by 3 and 3-month programs are taken as billed; each provider's own sticker price and cadence are shown underneath.
The headline figure is the total 3-month cost: the medication plus any one-time consult or provider-review fee (for example RxPepsDirect's $39) and three months of any membership fee. Where a fee is not published we fold in what is known and flag that other fees may apply.
Per-vial providers are averaged to a 3-month protocol at roughly one vial per month (3 vials), marked "est.", with the per-vial price shown underneath. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol.
Prices are gathered from each provider's public pages. The "Verified" date is when we last checked the provider's sticker price; for per-vial providers it is the vial price that was verified, not the averaged 3-month total.
Value check: total cost of therapy
This is the real value comparison. A sticker price hides consult and membership fees, so this adds everything up for a full protocol of Sermorelin and ranks by true total cost. We default to a 3-month protocol, the window our medical advisors consider best for judging value.
Per-vial providers are estimated at about one vial per month (3 vials for 3 months), plus any one-time consult. Actual vial count depends on your dose and protocol, so the real cost may run higher or lower.
Safety notes
Reported side effects from clinical use include injection-site reactions such as redness, swelling, or pain, as well as flushing, headache, and dizziness. Long-term safety data in adults using sermorelin for age-related or body-composition purposes are limited, and much adult use is off-label. Because no FDA-approved sermorelin product is currently on the market, product quality, identity, purity, and potency depend on the compounding pharmacy that prepares it; products sold outside the licensed pharmacy system as "research use only" are unregulated and are not verified for human use.
Sermorelin questions
How much does Sermorelin cost?
Across the licensed providers tracked here, a full 3-month protocol of Sermorelin totals $279 to $537, depending on the provider, dose, and what is included. We average every cost to a standard 3-month protocol, which our medical advisors consider the best basis for comparing cost and value, and the total folds in any one-time consult or provider-review fee and three months of membership. Each price shows the date the provider's sticker price was verified.
Is sermorelin the same as growth hormone?
No. Sermorelin is not growth hormone. Research describes it as acting on the pituitary to prompt release of the body's own growth hormone, which differs from recombinant human growth hormone that supplies the hormone directly.
Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
It was FDA-approved as the brand Geref, which the manufacturer discontinued in 2008. No FDA-approved sermorelin product is currently marketed. It is available only through licensed compounding pharmacies with a prescription, and compounded versions are not FDA-approved.
How is sermorelin typically taken and obtained?
It is generally administered by subcutaneous injection. In the United States it requires a prescription and is prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy. Cost and access vary by pharmacy, prescriber, and insurance, and it is generally not covered as an FDA-approved product.
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