Quick answer: Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Its brand, Geref, was FDA-approved for children and as a diagnostic, and that approval was withdrawn effective 2009-06-18 after the maker discontinued it. Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved. The adult studies are small and short, and none we found shows weight loss. Whoosh Wellness offers compounded sermorelin, as stated by Whoosh.
- Class and receptor
GHRH analogue, 29 amino acids; stimulates growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary (Prakash and Goa, 1999)
- FDA status
Geref approval withdrawn effective 2009-06-18; compounded versions are not FDA-approved
- Route as described in sources
Subcutaneous injection in the studies we read; Whoosh lists injections and tablets
- Whoosh offers this
Yes, compounded, as stated by Whoosh, read 2026-10-06
What sermorelin is
The pituitary gland releases growth hormone in response to signals from the hypothalamus, and one of those signals is growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Sermorelin copies the first 29 amino acids of that hormone, which is why it is called a GHRH analogue. A review by Prakash and Goa describes it as a 29-amino-acid analogue that specifically stimulates growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary.
That is a different route from ipamorelin, which FDA describes as a ghrelin mimetic. For the side-by-side, see sermorelin vs ipamorelin, and for how sermorelin differs from the hormone itself, see sermorelin vs HGH.
FDA status and history, in brief
The FDA approved Geref, made by EMD Serono, in two forms: a diagnostic ampule in 1990 for evaluating whether the pituitary can secrete growth hormone, and vials in 1997 for children with growth failure from growth hormone deficiency. According to a Federal Register notice of 2013-03-04, the maker discontinued both in 2008 and FDA withdrew the approvals effective 2009-06-18. The same notice states that the products were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. That is a ruling about FDA's generic-drug process and does not endorse sermorelin sold today.
Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved. On FDA's 503B list, updated 2025-03-21, sermorelin acetate is in Category 1, marked as a component of an approved drug; that is a list status, not an approval. It does not appear on the 503A lists updated 2026-05-14. The month-by-month timeline, including what each date means, is on the FDA status page.
What the human evidence is
In older adults, the studies are small. In Khorram's 1997 trial, 10 women and 9 men aged 55 to 71 received a GHRH-(1-29) analogue for 16 weeks after 4 weeks of placebo. According to the abstract, nocturnal growth hormone rose in both sexes, body weight was unaffected, lean body mass rose in men only, and sleep quality was unaffected. Vittone's 1997 study gave GHRH-(1-29) for 6 weeks to 11 healthy men aged 64 to 76; growth hormone release rose, but IGF-I did not change, two of six strength measures improved, and DEXA measures of muscle and fat did not change.
Two cautions apply. These abstracts describe GHRH analogue or GHRH-(1-29) products, and we could not confirm from the abstracts that each was identical to pharmacy-compounded sermorelin acetate. And the men and women in these studies were older adults, so the results do not extend to younger people, to women beyond Khorram's small group, or to tablets. In children, Thorner's multicenter study of Geref found height velocity rose in the 86 children analysed for efficacy, and Prakash and Goa note that the effects had not been directly compared with somatropin.
We found no trial reporting weight loss with sermorelin or a GHRH-(1-29) peptide, though that rests on abstracts rather than an exhaustive search. See sermorelin for weight loss for what was measured.
Side effects and safety, as sourced
We could not open the Geref label, so we cannot quote its adverse-reaction wording. What we can report:
- Prakash and Goa's review of Geref in children says transient facial flushing and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported adverse events.
- Khorram's abstract reports transient hyperlipidemia as the only adverse side-effect; Vittone's abstract reports no significant adverse effects. Both studies were short.
- USADA's sermorelin page, written for athletes, lists swelling, joint and nerve pain among effects associated with excess growth hormone.
- FDA's safety-risks page, current as of 2026-04-22, does not name sermorelin.
A compounded product has no label of its own. For the full picture, read sermorelin side effects.
Who offers it
Whoosh Wellness offers compounded sermorelin in injection and tablet form, as stated by Whoosh, read 2026-10-06. Its process, as it describes it, is an online questionnaire, a review by a licensed physician, and, if prescribed, shipment from a licensed US pharmacy with monthly check-ins. Whoosh's terms say that compounded medications are not reviewed or approved by FDA for safety or efficacy. We found no oral sermorelin clinical data and no efficacy figure for Whoosh's product. Whoosh's own pages disagree with each other on price, so we print none. Our Whoosh review lists where.
This button is an affiliate link, and we may earn a commission if you use it. A licensed physician decides whether a prescription is appropriate, and there is no promise of approval.
FAQ
Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
Not now. Geref's approvals were withdrawn effective 2009-06-18, and compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved.
Why was Geref discontinued?
The maker notified FDA of discontinuation in 2008. FDA's 2013 notice names no commercial reason, and says the products were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
Does sermorelin cause weight loss?
We found no trial reporting it. Khorram and Vittone reported unchanged body weight with a GHRH-(1-29) peptide.
Is sermorelin the same as HGH?
No. HGH is growth hormone itself; sermorelin prompts its release. See sermorelin vs HGH.
Is sermorelin allowed in sport?
WADA's 2026 Prohibited List names sermorelin in section S2, and USADA says a therapeutic use exemption is highly unlikely.
Sources
- Federal Register: Determination that Geref was not withdrawn for safety or effectiveness, 2013-03-04 read 2026-10-06
- FDA: 503B bulk drug substances category list, updated 2025-03-21 read 2026-10-06
- FDA: 503A bulk drug substances category list, updated 2026-05-14 read 2026-10-06
- Khorram et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997 (PubMed 9141536) read 2026-10-06
- Vittone et al., Metabolism 1997 (PubMed 9005976) read 2026-10-06
- Thorner et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996 (PubMed 8772599) read 2026-10-06
- Prakash and Goa, BioDrugs 1999 (PubMed 18031173) read 2026-10-06
- FDA: bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks read 2026-10-06
- USADA: What should athletes know about sermorelin? read 2026-10-06
- WADA 2026 Prohibited List read 2026-10-06
- Whoosh Wellness: how it works read 2026-10-06
- Whoosh Wellness: terms and conditions read 2026-10-06
Not medical advice. See the medical disclaimer.
