Sermorelin Dosing Guide & Protocols (2026)

Sermorelin is a synthetic version of the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It was formerly FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency diagnosis, giving it a unique history of clinical use compared to most research peptides.

Clinical data exists from its FDA-approved era, providing a solid foundation for understanding effective dosing and safety. However, it was withdrawn from the market for commercial reasons, not safety concerns.

This is not medical advice. Sermorelin is currently available only as a research chemical.

Quick Reference: Community Dosing

Most people start at 200 mcg daily and may increase to 300 mcg based on response. The 5-on/2-off schedule helps prevent receptor desensitization.

For the full Sermorelin profile, vendor pricing, and stack protocols, see our Sermorelin peptide page.

Loading vs Maintenance

Sermorelin doesn't follow a traditional loading phase due to its short half-life and natural GHRH structure:

Weeks 1-2: Start at 200 mcg daily to assess tolerance and response. Effects may be subtle initially as natural GH patterns adjust.

Weeks 3-8: Many users increase to 250-300 mcg daily based on response and sleep quality improvements. The 5-on/2-off schedule is maintained throughout.

Typical Protocol Lengths

• Standard cycle: 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
• Extended cycle: 12 weeks on, 8-12 weeks off
• Maintenance: Some users run longer cycles (16+ weeks) with periodic breaks
• Competition prep: 12-16 weeks leading up to competition with consistent 5-on/2-off schedule

Routes of Administration

Subcutaneous Injection (Standard Route)

Subcutaneous injection is the standard route for Sermorelin, typically in the abdomen or thigh area.

Injection timing:

• Before bed — aligns with natural GH release during deep sleep
• Empty stomach — wait 2-3 hours after eating, avoid eating 1 hour post-injection
• Same time nightly — consistency helps maintain natural circadian rhythms

Injection volume: Typically 0.1–0.2 mL with an insulin syringe (29–31 gauge).

Injection sites: Rotate between different subcutaneous sites to prevent lipodystrophy.

Intramuscular (Alternative)

Less common but sometimes used, particularly for those who prefer IM injection or have limited subcutaneous fat. No significant difference in effectiveness compared to subcutaneous.

Why Not Oral

Unlike MK-677, Sermorelin is a true peptide and gets destroyed by stomach acid. Oral administration is not effective and is not used.

Where These Numbers Come From: Clinical Context

Sermorelin has a unique advantage — it was FDA-approved and clinically used, providing real human dosing data.

Clinical History

FDA-approved use: Sermorelin acetate was FDA-approved for diagnostic testing of GH deficiency in children and adults. Used at 1 mcg/kg IV for stimulation testing (Prakash & Bhatt, 2020).

Therapeutic use: Before withdrawal, some clinics used Sermorelin off-label for GH deficiency treatment at doses similar to current community protocols.

Safety profile: Years of clinical use established excellent safety with no significant adverse events when used appropriately.

Community Dose Rationale

The 200-300 mcg subcutaneous range comes from:

• Clinical diagnostic dosing: 1 mcg/kg IV ≈ 70 mcg for a 70kg person
• Subcutaneous bioavailability: Lower than IV, requiring higher doses
• Therapeutic vs diagnostic: Community use targets sustained elevation rather than acute testing
• Empirical optimization: Years of community use refining the effective range

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life: 8-12 minutes — very short, mimicking natural GHRH pulses Peak effect: 15-30 minutes post-injection Duration: GH elevation lasts 1-2 hours Metabolism: Rapidly cleared by kidney and liver

This short half-life is actually beneficial — it preserves natural pulsatile GH patterns rather than creating constant elevation.

Reconstitution Guide

Sermorelin comes as a freeze-dried powder requiring reconstitution with bacteriostatic water.

What You Need

• Sermorelin vial (2 mg or 5 mg)
• Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
• Insulin syringes (29–31 gauge)
• Alcohol swabs

Steps

1. Wipe both vial stoppers with alcohol swabs
2. Draw 2 mL of BAC water into syringe
3. Inject slowly into Sermorelin vial against the glass wall
4. Swirl gently — never shake (damages peptide structure)
5. Allow to dissolve completely (1-3 minutes)
6. Label with date and concentration

Dosing Math

2 mL into a 2 mg vial is the most common ratio for easy calculation.

Storage

• Refrigerate immediately (2–8°C / 36–46°F)
• Use within 14-28 days (more fragile than some peptides)
• Protect from light — store in box or wrap in foil
• Don't freeze reconstituted solution
• Powder can be frozen (-20°C) before reconstitution

Mechanism of Action

Sermorelin works by mimicking natural human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH):

GHRH receptor binding — Sermorelin binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, the same receptors activated by natural GHRH (Walker, 2006).

Cyclic AMP pathway — Receptor activation triggers cAMP production, leading to protein kinase A activation and ultimately growth hormone release from stored vesicles.

Natural pulsatile patterns — Sermorelin's short half-life preserves the natural pulsatile nature of GH release, unlike long-acting analogs that create sustained elevation.

Preserved feedback loops — Because it works through natural pathways, normal feedback mechanisms remain intact, reducing risk of side effects seen with exogenous GH.

IGF-1 elevation — Stimulated GH release leads to hepatic IGF-1 production, the primary mediator of GH's anabolic and metabolic effects.

Side Effects & Safety

Sermorelin has an excellent safety profile from its years of clinical use:

Clinical Safety Data

From the FDA-approved era:

• No serious adverse events reported in diagnostic testing
• Excellent tolerance across age groups
• No significant drug interactions identified
• Safe in children and adults

Common Side Effects (Rare)

• Injection site reactions — mild redness or swelling, typically resolves quickly
• Flushing — brief facial warmth, occurs in ~5% of users
• Dizziness — usually mild and transient
• Headache — uncommon, typically mild

Why So Few Side Effects

• Natural structure — bioidentical to native GHRH (1-29 sequence)
• Short half-life — doesn't create sustained hormonal disruption
• Preserved feedback — works with natural regulatory mechanisms
• No direct hormone — stimulates natural production rather than replacing it

Long-term Safety

Limited long-term data exists, but the natural structure and mechanism suggest minimal risk with appropriate cycling. The 5-on/2-off schedule helps prevent receptor desensitization.

Contraindications

• Active cancer (theoretical concern with any growth-promoting compound)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Severe kidney or liver disease

Stacking Sermorelin

Sermorelin works through GHRH receptors, making it complementary to compounds using different pathways:

Sermorelin + Ipamorelin (Popular Combination)

Classic GHRH + GHRP stack — different receptors, synergistic effects:

Sermorelin + GHRP-2/GHRP-6

Traditional combination used in anti-aging clinics:

Sermorelin + CJC-1295 (NOT Recommended)

Both are GHRH analogs — redundant rather than synergistic. Choose one or the other based on preference:

• Sermorelin — natural structure, short half-life, daily dosing
• CJC-1295 — modified structure, long half-life, less frequent dosing

Sermorelin + Tesamorelin

Both are GHRH peptides — generally not stacked together as they compete for the same receptors.

Stacking Tips

• Can mix in same syringe with compatible peptides (Ipamorelin, GHRP-2/6)
• Maintain the 5-on/2-off schedule for the entire stack
• Start one compound at a time to assess individual response
• Monitor sleep quality — multiple GH compounds can sometimes disrupt sleep patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard Sermorelin dose?

The most common community protocol is 200-300 mcg subcutaneously before bed on an empty stomach, following a 5 days on/2 days off schedule. This aligns with the therapeutic range from its former FDA-approved use.

Why was Sermorelin discontinued if it was FDA-approved?

Sermorelin was withdrawn for commercial reasons, not safety concerns. The manufacturer discontinued production due to limited market viability for the diagnostic indication, despite proven safety and efficacy.

How is Sermorelin different from other GHRH peptides?

Sermorelin is the natural 1-29 amino acid sequence of human GHRH, making it bioidentical to the body's own hormone. Unlike modified versions like CJC-1295, it has the original structure with well-understood pharmacology.

Why the 5 days on, 2 days off schedule?

This schedule prevents GHRH receptor desensitization while maintaining effectiveness. The 2-day break allows receptors to reset and helps preserve natural pulsatile GH patterns rather than creating constant stimulation.

Can Sermorelin be taken with food?

No — take on an empty stomach at least 2-3 hours after eating, and avoid food for 1 hour after injection. Food can interfere with GH release mechanisms and reduce the compound's effectiveness.

How long should a Sermorelin cycle last?

Standard protocols are 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off. Some extend to 12 weeks based on goals and response. Cycling helps maintain receptor sensitivity and allows natural GH patterns to reset.

What's the difference between Sermorelin and CJC-1295?

Sermorelin has a short half-life (8-12 minutes) mimicking natural GHRH pulses, while CJC-1295 is modified for extended duration (8+ days). Sermorelin requires daily dosing but better preserves natural rhythms.

Does Sermorelin need to be refrigerated?

Yes — both powder and reconstituted solution require refrigeration. Use reconstituted Sermorelin within 14-28 days and protect from light. Never freeze the liquid solution as it damages the peptide.

Related Guides

• Sermorelin Peptide Page — Vendor pricing, stack protocols, and full peptide profile
• CJC-1295 vs Sermorelin — Comparing natural vs modified GHRH peptides
• GHRH vs GHRP Guide — Understanding different growth hormone pathways
• Ipamorelin Dosing Guide — Complementary GHRP for stacking with sermorelin

References

For educational and research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Sermorelin is not currently FDA-approved for any indication and is available only as a research chemical.