Sermorelin (GHRH analog)

Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid analogue of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1–29) that stimulates pituitary somatotrophs to secrete growth hormone (GH) in a pulsatile, feedback-sensitive manner, in contrast to exogenous GH administration which suppresses endogenous production. It was formerly FDA-approved for paediatric GH deficiency (Geref; the manufacturer notified FDA of discontinuation in 2008, and FDA formally withdrew approval effective June 2009, for commercial rather than safety reasons) and remains approved in some other jurisdictions. In anti-aging medicine, sermorelin is widely prescribed off-label at clinics to raise GH/IGF-1 axis activity, reduce body fat, and improve lean mass and sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults; however, controlled evidence for meaningful longevity or functional outcomes is limited, and the GH secretagogue class broadly lacks Phase III efficacy data for aging indications. Adverse effects include injection-site reactions, fluid retention, and theoretical concern about promotion of occult neoplasia given GH/IGF-1 mitogenic signalling; its use is not endorsed by major endocrinological societies for anti-aging purposes.