Sermorelin (5 mg vial)
Once daily subcutaneous at bedtime protocol for growth hormone axis research.
Sermorelin is the GHRH(1-29) fragment, a truncated analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone that prompts the pituitary to release its own GH. It formerly held FDA approval in pediatric GH deficiency and is now studied for restoring adult GH output. The protocol below runs one subcutaneous dose at bedtime, timed to reinforce the largest natural GH pulse of the night.
Quick answer: at the standard 5 mg + 0.5 mL reconstitution, a 500 mcg dose of Sermorelin draws 5 units (0.05 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe, once daily subcutaneous at bedtime.
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Protocol overview
Dosing & reconstitution
Frequency: Once daily subcutaneous at bedtime
Typical duration: 12-24 weeks
Reconstitution: 5 mg vial + 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL. Units below are for a U-100 insulin syringe at this concentration.
| Phase | Dose | Units per injection |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 200 mcg | 2 units (0.02 mL) |
| Weeks 3-4 | 300 mcg | 3 units (0.03 mL) |
| Weeks 5-6 | 400 mcg | 4 units (0.04 mL) |
| Weeks 7-8 | 500 mcg | 5 units (0.05 mL) |
Units = (dose ÷ concentration) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Change the vial size or water volume and the calculator redoes all of this for you.
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Sermorelin dosing schedule
From the approved label for sermorelin acetate, which was marketed as Geref for growth failure in children with growth-hormone deficiency. It was withdrawn from the US market in 2008 for commercial reasons rather than safety findings. Note the indication: this schedule was established in growth-hormone-deficient children, not in healthy adults.
| Phase | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved paediatric use | 0.03 mg/kg | Once daily at bedtime, subcutaneous | From the Geref label. Bedtime timing aligns with the natural nocturnal GH pulse. |
| Diagnostic use | 1 mcg/kg | Single intravenous dose | Sermorelin was also used as a single-dose pituitary function test. |
Study length: Continued until growth plates closed or growth response ceased, in the paediatric indication.
Reconstitution and measurement
This part is arithmetic and does not depend on the evidence level. Concentration is vial size divided by the bacteriostatic water you add. Draw volume is your target amount divided by that concentration. Units are draw volume times 100, because a U-100 syringe reads 100 units per millilitre. Common vials for Sermorelin: 5, 10 mg.
- Wipe the stoppers of both vials with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; foaming and agitation damage peptides.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, and refrigerate at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Worked example at the calculator defaults: 10 mg + 2 mL of bacteriostatic water = 5 mg/mL, so on a U-100 insulin syringe 1 unit = 50 mcg of Sermorelin. Change either input and the calculator redoes this for you.
Storage and stability
Supplies math
Whatever amounts your research uses, the planning arithmetic is the same. The calculator runs all of this per compound.
Supplies by protocol length
Based on the maintenance dose above (500 mcg, once daily subcutaneous at bedtime) and a 5 mg vial reconstituted with 0.5 mL.
| Duration | Injections | Vials | Syringes | Bac water | Swabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 56 | 6 x 5 mg | 62 | 1 x 10 mL | 112 |
| 12 weeks | 84 | 9 x 5 mg | 93 | 1 x 10 mL | 168 |
| 16 weeks | 112 | 12 x 5 mg | 124 | 1 x 10 mL | 224 |
Syringe count includes ~10% spares. Swabs = 2 per injection (stopper + site). Vial count assumes the full maintenance dose for the entire duration.
Important notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose in a proper sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) systematically to reduce local irritation and avoid lipohypertrophy.
- Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
- Administer at the same time each day for consistent levels. Setting a daily reminder helps maintain the schedule.
- The 5 mg vial size is standard for this compound. Reconstitute with 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water for a convenient concentration.
How Sermorelin works
The first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, which is the shortest fragment retaining full activity. It stimulates the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, so output stays under normal feedback control rather than bypassing it as injected hGH does.
Benefits & side effects
Potential benefits
- GHRH analog stimulating natural GH release
- Preserves pulsatile GH secretion pattern
- Well-studied safety profile
- Supports sleep quality and recovery
Possible side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Facial flushing reported
- Headache occasionally
- Generally well tolerated in clinical use
This list reflects published literature and community reports. Individual responses vary. Not medical advice.
Bloodwork worth tracking
The community-standard practice is a baseline panel before starting, a recheck 8 to 12 weeks in, and another after time off. For Sermorelin, the markers most worth watching:
IGF-1fasting glucoselipid panel
Typical time off: 1-3 mo
Lab panels are how a research protocol stays honest: numbers move before symptoms do. Interpretation belongs with a clinician. Not medical advice.
Lifestyle factors
None of the literature above was run on a background of poor sleep and no protein. These variables move outcomes more reliably than any compound on this site.
- Protein in the 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg range preserves lean mass through any body-composition phase.
- Resistance training 2 to 4 days per week plus 150+ minutes of weekly aerobic work reinforces whatever the protocol is doing.
- Sleep is the recovery window: 7 to 9 hours at consistent times.
- Hydration matters more than usual on compounds with GI or flushing effects: 2 to 3 liters daily.
- Track the variables that matter: weigh-ins, measurements, photos, and labs at sensible intervals.
Subcutaneous technique and practical notes
General best practice from clinical injection guidance — the same fundamentals nurses are taught, none of it specific to any compound.
Quick answers
How many syringe units is a 500 mcg dose of Sermorelin?
At the standard reconstitution of 5 mg with 0.5 mL bacteriostatic water (10 mg/mL), a 500 mcg dose draws 5 units (0.05 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
How do you reconstitute Sermorelin?
Add 0.5 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 5 mg vial for 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently without shaking, and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C after mixing.
How long does a 5 mg vial of Sermorelin last?
About 10 maintenance doses of 500 mcg, roughly 1.4 weeks at once daily subcutaneous at bedtime.
Does Sermorelin have human trial data?
Yes. The dosing on this page is anchored to published human research (Sermorelin acetate (Geref) prescribing information, idiopathic growth hormone deficiency indication).
How does Sermorelin work?
The first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, which is the shortest fragment retaining full activity. It stimulates the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, so output stays under normal feedback control rather than bypassing it as injected hGH does.
Sourcing Sermorelin
Whatever you are working with, the documentation matters more than the price. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis whose lot number matches the vial you actually receive — a COA for a different batch tells you nothing about yours.
Sermorelin at Summit Research Supply → Grade a COA first
Summit is the supplier we feature and an affiliate link. Our COA checklist applies the same way to any vendor.
