Recommended Dosage of Sermorelin for Treatment
The recommended dosage of Sermorelin for treatment is 30 micrograms/kg bodyweight administered subcutaneously once daily at bedtime. 1
Dosing Guidelines for Different Patient Populations
Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Standard therapeutic dose: 30 μg/kg subcutaneously once daily, preferably at bedtime
- Duration: Treatment efficacy should be evaluated after 6-12 months of continuous therapy
- Administration route: Subcutaneous injection is the preferred method
Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Diagnostic testing dose: 1 μg/kg as a single intravenous dose 1
- Treatment dose: 30 μg/kg subcutaneously once daily at bedtime 1
- Alternative regimen (less effective): 4-6 μg/kg subcutaneously twice daily 2
Clinical Considerations
Efficacy Expectations
- Significant increases in height velocity can be sustained during the first 12 months of treatment 1
- Data suggests the growth effect may be maintained for up to 36 months of continued treatment 1
- Children with delayed bone age and height age tend to have better responses to Sermorelin 1
Monitoring Recommendations
- Assess growth velocity every 3-6 months during treatment
- Consider discontinuation if no significant improvement in growth velocity (>2 cm/year over baseline) is observed after 12 months 3
- Monitor for potential side effects, particularly at injection sites
Common Side Effects
- Transient facial flushing
- Pain at injection site
- These side effects are generally mild and well-tolerated 1
Important Clinical Pitfalls
Diagnostic vs. Treatment Dosing: Be careful not to confuse the diagnostic testing dose (1 μg/kg IV) with the treatment dose (30 μg/kg SC)
Efficacy Limitations: Sermorelin may be less effective than direct growth hormone (somatropin) therapy in some patients 2
- Consider switching to somatropin if inadequate response after 6 months
Administration Timing: Bedtime administration is optimal due to the natural pulsatile pattern of growth hormone release
Patient Selection: Sermorelin appears to work best in patients with hypothalamic rather than pituitary causes of growth hormone deficiency 1
Response Variability: Not all patients respond equally - approximately 5 out of 9 patients may show significant growth improvement 4
Sermorelin represents a physiologic approach to growth hormone stimulation by working through the body's natural GHRH pathway, potentially offering advantages over direct growth hormone replacement in selected patients.