COMMON INITIAL DOSING REGIMENS

• Administer 100–200 mcg subcutaneously daily, typically in the evening to mimic natural GH pulsatility. Dosages may be adjusted based on response and specific treatment goals, with some protocols using up to 500 mcg nightly.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

• Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete endogenous growth hormone. Unlike direct GH administration, sermorelin encourages natural GH pulsatility, leading to a physiologic secretion pattern. This natural stimulation helps reduce potential side effects associated with exogenous GH therapy, such as insulin resistance or suppression of endogenous GH production.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

• Injection Site: Mild redness, swelling, or irritation at the injection site.

• Neurological: Occasional dizziness, headache, or flushing.

• Endocrine: Mild water retention or swelling, especially at higher doses.

• Severe Effects: Rarely, sermorelin may induce allergic reactions, including rash, pruritus, or difficulty breathing. Long-term use may rarely lead to pituitary desensitization if excessively dosed.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Absolute: Hypersensitivity to sermorelin or its components.

• Relative: Patients with active malignancies should avoid sermorelin, as its GH stimulation may promote tumor growth. Caution is also advised in patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment due to potential metabolic alterations.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER HGH SUPPORT MEDICATIONS

• Sermorelin vs. Ipamorelin: Sermorelin mimics GHRH and induces a broader pituitary response, potentially leading to a more physiologic hormone cascade. Ipamorelin is more specific to GH release without affecting prolactin or cortisol, making it a gentler option for patients requiring targeted stimulation.

• Sermorelin vs. CJC-1295: CJC-1295 provides prolonged GH stimulation due to its extended half-life, reducing the need for daily injections. However, sermorelin’s shorter half-life allows for tighter control over GH pulsatility, making it preferable for patients concerned about overproduction of GH.

• Sermorelin vs. Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin’s primary focus on reducing visceral fat makes it highly specific for patients seeking body composition improvements. Sermorelin provides a broader range of benefits, including muscle repair, energy enhancement, and sleep improvement.

• Sermorelin vs. Ibutamoren: Ibutamoren, an oral GH secretagogue, stimulates GH through ghrelin receptor activation but often causes increased appetite. Sermorelin, as an injectable, avoids this effect and provides a more targeted approach to GH stimulation.

MORE INFORMATION

• FDA Safety Data Sheet not available (experimental peptide therapy)

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• Sinha DK. Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 [PubMed Link]

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• Svensson J. Growth hormone secretagogues as therapeutic agents. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999 [PubMed Link]

• Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?. Clin Interv Aging. 2006 [PubMed Link]

• Sigalos JT. Growth Hormone Secretagogue Treatment in Hypogonadal Men Raises Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels. Am J Mens Health. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Peschke B. The influence of conformational restriction in the C-terminus of growth hormone secretagogues on their potency. Eur J Med Chem. 2002 [PubMed Link] 

• Ferro P. Structure-activity relationship for peptídic growth hormone secretagogues. Drug Test Anal. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Thomas A. Metabolism of growth hormone releasing peptides. Anal Chem. 2012 [PubMed Link]

• Lall S. Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 [PubMed Link]

• Johansen PB. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ipamorelin and other peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues with emphasis on nasal absorption. Xenobiotica. 1998 [PubMed Link]