Sermorelin acetate is sermorelin, a 29 amino acid peptide copy of the active end of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), supplied as an acetate salt. The "acetate" is a counter-ion that pairs with the peptide to form a stable salt; it does not change what sermorelin does. It was the active ingredient in Geref, an FDA-approved injection discontinued in 2008, and it is the name you may see on a compounded sermorelin prescription.
If you have seen "sermorelin acetate" on a pharmacy label or product page and wondered whether it is a different drug, it is not. This guide explains what the sermorelin acetate peptide is, what the acetate part means, where the name comes from, how it differs from HGH and other growth hormone peptides, and how to read it on a prescription.
What is sermorelin peptide?
Your hypothalamus makes a hormone called growth hormone-releasing hormone, or GHRH. Natural GHRH is 44 amino acids long. Researchers found that the first 29 amino acids carry its activity, and a 1999 review in BioDrugs describes sermorelin as the shortest synthetic peptide with the full biological activity of GHRH.
That is why sermorelin is also called GRF 1-29 or GHRH(1-29)NH2. The "1-29" means amino acids one through twenty-nine. The "NH2" means the chain ends in an amide group. Its sequence, as listed in PubChem, is:
Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2
PubChem lists its molecular formula as C149H246N44O42S, with a molecular weight of about 3,358. For the plain-language overview, see what is sermorelin?
What the peptide sermorelin does is simple to describe. It binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary and prompts it to release the body's own growth hormone, in pulses. That release stays under normal feedback from somatostatin and IGF-1. The mechanism is covered in the sermorelin research guide.
What the "acetate" in sermorelin acetate means
Many peptide medicines are supplied as salts. A salt pairs the peptide with a small, oppositely charged partner called a counter-ion. Sermorelin carries several positively charged amino acids, including arginine and lysine, so it pairs naturally with a negatively charged counter-ion. Acetate, which comes from acetic acid, the acid in vinegar, is a common choice for peptide drugs.
Leuprolide acetate and octreotide acetate are familiar examples of the same naming pattern. In each case, the active part is the peptide. The acetate is along for the ride.
One detail is worth knowing. The FDA's notice on Geref lists strengths such as "0.5 milligrams base/vial". "Base" means the strength counts the peptide itself, not the added weight of the acetate. Your prescription label states the strength the pharmacy prepared, and your provider and pharmacist are the right people to explain it.
| Name you might see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sermorelin | The peptide itself, the international nonproprietary name |
| Sermorelin acetate | The same peptide supplied as an acetate salt |
| GRF 1-29 or GHRH(1-29)NH2 | Research names describing the 29 amino acid chain |
| Geref | The discontinued FDA-approved brand of sermorelin acetate |
The Geref history and the 2013 FDA determination
Sermorelin acetate is not a newcomer. According to a 2013 FDA notice in the Federal Register (78 FR 14095, pages 14095 to 14096):
- 1990: Geref (sermorelin acetate) injection, 0.05 mg per ampule, was approved for testing the pituitary's ability to secrete growth hormone.
- 1997: Geref vials of 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg were approved for treating idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in children with growth failure.
- 2008: The manufacturer told the FDA both products were being discontinued. Approval of both applications was withdrawn effective June 18, 2009.
- 2013: After a citizen petition, the FDA determined that Geref was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
That determination matters, but it is easy to overstate. It means the FDA did not pull Geref over safety or effectiveness concerns. It does not make any sermorelin product sold today FDA-approved. Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved, and it has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality.
Curious whether sermorelin fits your goals? A short online visit is reviewed by a licensed provider, and you pay $0 if you are not approved.
See if sermorelin is right for youSermorelin acetate vs HGH and other growth hormone peptides
Sermorelin is often grouped with HGH and other "GH peptides", but they work differently and have different legal status.
| What it is | How it acts | FDA status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sermorelin | 29 amino acid GHRH analog | Prompts the pituitary to release its own GH | Geref approved, then discontinued; compounded versions not FDA-approved |
| HGH (somatropin) | Growth hormone itself | Adds GH directly, bypassing the pituitary signal | Approved for specific conditions; distribution for other uses is restricted by federal law |
| Tesamorelin | Modified GHRH analog | Acts on the same GHRH receptor | Approved as Egrifta only for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy |
| CJC-1295 | Modified, longer-acting GHRH analog | Acts on the GHRH receptor | Not FDA-approved |
| Ipamorelin | Growth hormone secretagogue | Acts on the ghrelin receptor, a different pathway | Not FDA-approved |
Two points stand out. First, sermorelin is not HGH. Federal law, at 21 U.S.C. 333(e), restricts distributing human growth hormone for uses other than those authorized, and sermorelin should never be framed as a workaround for that. Second, telos rx prescribes sermorelin only. It does not sell tesamorelin, CJC-1295 or ipamorelin.
For the head-to-head detail, read sermorelin vs HGH, sermorelin vs tesamorelin, sermorelin vs CJC-1295 and ipamorelin vs sermorelin.
How sermorelin acetate appears on a compounded prescription
When a licensed pharmacy prepares compounded sermorelin for you, the label is the source of truth. Here is what to look for.
- Drug name. Often written as "sermorelin acetate" or simply "sermorelin". Both refer to the same peptide.
- Strength. The amount of sermorelin per vial or per mL. Do not compare numbers across different products without asking your pharmacist.
- Route. At telos rx this is subcutaneous, a small injection into the fat just under the skin.
- Directions. The dose and timing your provider prescribed. These are set for you, not copied from the internet.
- Pharmacy and dates. The dispensing pharmacy, your prescriber, and a beyond-use date that tells you how long the preparation should be used.
- Storage. How to keep the vial, which matters for peptides.
How providers think about dose is covered in the sermorelin dosage guide, and what nightly injections involve is in our sermorelin injections guide. If you are weighing other forms, see sermorelin nasal spray explained. telos rx does not offer nasal, oral or tablet sermorelin.
Safety basics
Reported side effects of sermorelin include redness, swelling or pain at the injection site, flushing, headache, nausea, dizziness and trouble sleeping. Long-term human safety data for compounded sermorelin are limited.
It is generally not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active cancer or a history of certain cancers, with untreated hypothyroidism, or with a known hypersensitivity. A provider makes that call based on your history.
How sermorelin works at telos rx
telos rx prescribes compounded sermorelin as a small nightly subcutaneous injection before bed, timed to the natural overnight growth hormone pulse. You can see the program on the telos rx sermorelin page.
- Complete a short online visit. A licensed provider reviews it asynchronously, with no scheduled appointment.
- Every prescription is subject to medical approval by a licensed provider. You pay $0 if you are not approved.
- A licensed US partner pharmacy fills it, with free 2-day discreet shipping.
- Plans start as low as $125 per month, are FSA/HSA eligible and can be cancelled anytime. telos rx is LegitScript-certified.
Frequently asked questions
What is sermorelin acetate?
Sermorelin acetate is sermorelin, a 29 amino acid copy of the active end of growth hormone-releasing hormone, supplied as an acetate salt. It prompts the pituitary to release the body's own growth hormone. It was the active ingredient in Geref, an FDA-approved injection that was discontinued in 2008.
Is sermorelin acetate the same as sermorelin?
Yes. The acetate is a counter-ion that pairs with the peptide to form a stable salt. It does not change how sermorelin acts, and both names refer to the same active peptide.
Is sermorelin acetate a peptide?
Yes. Sermorelin is a peptide, a chain of 29 amino acids ending in an amide group. It is also called GRF 1-29 or GHRH(1-29)NH2.
Is sermorelin acetate FDA-approved?
Geref, the branded sermorelin acetate injection, was FDA-approved and then discontinued in 2008. In 2013 the FDA determined it was not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Compounded sermorelin sold today is not FDA-approved.
Is sermorelin acetate the same as HGH?
No. HGH, or somatropin, is growth hormone itself. Sermorelin is a GHRH analog that prompts the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, which stays under the body's normal feedback control.
Why was Geref discontinued?
The manufacturer notified the FDA in 2008 that it was discontinuing Geref. In a 2013 Federal Register notice, the FDA determined that Geref was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
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Start your online visitThis article is for general education and is not medical advice. Compounded sermorelin is not FDA-approved and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality. All prescriptions are subject to medical approval by a licensed provider; approval is not guaranteed. Individual experiences vary. telos rx is an online-first, asynchronous telehealth service and is LegitScript-certified. Medications are filled by licensed US partner pharmacies.