Sermorelin

Also known as Geref, GHRH (1-29)

A once-approved drug now sold by anti-ageing clinics. Small studies from the 1990s found slight gains in lean mass and skin thickness, nowhere near the marketing.

Information only. Not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change anything.

What people claim

Natural growth hormone therapy
Tighter skin and more muscle
Reverses ageing

What the evidence shows

In a 16-week study of 19 adults aged 55 to 71, men gained 1.26 kg of lean mass, and skin thickness increased in both men and women.^[1]
The approved product was discontinued in 2008. It was never approved for ageing or appearance.^[2]

Known risks

Studies were too small and short to establish long-term safety in healthy adults.^[1]
Compounded versions are not FDA approved or reviewed for quality.^[2]
Banned in sport as a growth hormone releasing factor.^[3]

Reported side effects

Moderated user reports are not open yet, so nothing is shown here. They will be labelled as unverified personal accounts.

Legal status

A summary, not legal advice. Rules change, and sport bans are separate.

United States

Compounded on prescription

The approved product was discontinued in 2008. FDA found this was not for safety reasons, and clinics now supply compounded versions, which FDA does not review.^[2]

United Kingdom

Unlicensed

No licensed medicine contains it.

Australia

Not approved

TGA says importing, advertising or supplying unapproved peptides is unlawful.^[4]

European Union

Not authorised

No authorised medicine. National rules on possession and import differ.

Sources

1.Growth hormone secretagogues in the management of body composition (review)Review, PubMed Central
2.Determination that GEREF (sermorelin acetate) was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectivenessFederal Register, 2013
3.The Prohibited List (section S2)World Anti-Doping Agency
4.Importing, compounding and supplying unapproved peptide productsTGA Australia

Profile last checked 7 Nov 2026.