Sermorelin Side Effects: Common, Rare & Serious Risks

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Sermorelin is a synthetic fragment of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) that prompts the pituitary gland to release human growth hormone (hGH). It was formerly sold under the brand name Geref for pediatric growth hormone deficiency and for diagnostic testing, but the manufacturer discontinued it; the FDA later clarified it was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness (FDA Federal Register determination). Today, sermorelin is typically obtained as a compounded medication. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved, and their safety, effectiveness, and quality are not verified by the FDA before use. This guide summarizes published side-effect data, interactions, and precautions, with links to authoritative sources. For a broader overview of peptide categories, benefits, and risks, see our explainer: What Are Peptides Used For? Benefits & Risks.

Quick Answer

• Most common side effects: mild, short-lived injection-site reactions like pain, redness, or swelling.
• Occasional effects: flushing, headache, dizziness, nausea; sometimes sleepiness or restlessness.
• Serious reactions are rare but include severe allergy symptoms (hives, facial swelling, trouble breathing)—these require urgent medical care.
• Notable drug interactions include glucocorticoids, certain pain relievers, insulin, antithyroid medicines, muscarinic blockers, and drugs that increase somatostatin.
• Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved; quality varies by pharmacy. Sermorelin is prohibited in sport.

This summary draws on leading medical resources, including the Mayo Clinic, Drugs.com, RxList, FDA guidance on compounding, and the USADA advisory.

Side Effects at a Glance

Most people experience no or only mild effects, which tend to be temporary and localized to the injection site.

Pediatric data snapshot

In children treated for growth hormone deficiency, sermorelin has generally been well tolerated; the most common events were brief facial flushing and injection-site pain (PubMed review).

Serious Reactions: When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Though uncommon, seek urgent medical attention for signs of a severe allergic reaction:

• Hives or widespread rash
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or face
• Trouble breathing
• Chest tightness

Also seek care for:

• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Sudden vision changes, severe headache, confusion, weakness, or difficulty speaking

Side effects can be reported to the FDA MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online via the FDA MedWatch portal.

Drug Interactions

The following drug interactions have been documented in prescribing references:

• Glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone) can suppress GH secretion and blunt response.
• Cyclooxygenase inhibitors (e.g., aspirin, indomethacin)
• Insulin
• Antithyroid drugs (e.g., propylthiouracil)
• Muscarinic antagonists (e.g., atropine)
• Somatostatin or medicines that increase somatostatin

Untreated hypothyroidism can also interfere with sermorelin's effects. A complete list of current medications and supplements should be shared with the prescribing provider.

Contraindications and Precautions

• Known allergy to sermorelin or any component.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: human data are limited; prescribing references advise use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk.
• Hypothyroidism: untreated hypothyroidism may blunt response.
• GH deficiency due to intracranial lesions: not recommended because safety and efficacy in this group aren't established, and it can be difficult to distinguish drug side effects from symptoms caused by the brain lesion itself.
• Active malignancy: clinicians generally exercise caution with therapies that stimulate the GH axis in patients with known active cancers. That caution reflects a general principle seen with exogenous hGH and GH-axis stimulation rather than sermorelin specifically (see this overview from the Mayo Clinic).

Athletes: Anti-Doping Status and Risks

Sermorelin is prohibited in sport. Anti-doping advisories report that edema (fluid build-up) and joint/nerve pain can occur, and note that sustained GH elevation can contribute to insulin resistance and cardiometabolic strain. Unregulated or black-market sources add contamination and mislabeling risks. Always check medications at GlobalDRO.com and consult a team physician. For context, these differ from the risks of non-peptidic secretagogues like MK-677.

Sermorelin vs. Direct hGH: Safety Context

Sermorelin stimulates the body's own pulsatile GH release, whereas hGH delivers exogenous hormone. Because sermorelin works through normal feedback loops, it tends to produce more physiologic, episodic GH patterns—an effect described for sermorelin as a GHRH analog and also observed with other GHRH analogs that restore endogenous GH pulsatility (Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2006 and a JCEM study on a GHRH analog).

Still, chronically elevated GH—especially in healthy adults—has been linked with edema, joint pain, carpal tunnel, and worsened glucose control in hGH studies (Mayo Clinic growth hormone overview).

Compounded Sermorelin: Quality and Safety Considerations

Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved, so their safety, effectiveness, and quality are not verified by the FDA before use. Poor compounding practices can lead to contamination or dosing errors. The FDA provides guidance on compounding and consumer safety. Patients should discuss sourcing with their prescribing provider and avoid purchasing from unverified online sources.

FAQ

• Is water retention a sermorelin side effect?
  Yes. Fluid retention (edema) can occur, particularly when GH levels are elevated.

• Does sermorelin increase cancer risk?
  There is no clear evidence that therapeutic sermorelin causes cancer, but because GH/IGF-1 pathways influence cell growth, clinicians typically exercise extra caution in people with a history of malignancy.

• Can sermorelin be used with hypothyroidism?
  Untreated hypothyroidism may blunt sermorelin's effects. Thyroid function is typically evaluated as part of clinical assessment.

• Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
  The branded product (Geref) was discontinued by its manufacturer. The FDA clarified the withdrawal was not for safety or effectiveness reasons. Sermorelin is currently available only as a compounded medication, which is not FDA-approved.

The BodySpec Take

Sermorelin's most commonly reported side effects are mild and localized to the injection site, while serious reactions are rare. The compound is currently available only through compounding pharmacies and is not FDA-approved. All decisions about sermorelin or any medication affecting the GH axis should be made with a qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate individual risks, monitor appropriately, and ensure sourcing from reputable pharmacies.

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