From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that stimulates the body's natural production of growth hormone, typically prescribed at doses of 100-500 mcg injected subcutaneously daily, usually before bedtime when natural growth hormone pulses are highest. This medication works by binding to receptors in the pituitary gland, stimulating the release of growth hormone while maintaining the body's natural regulatory feedback mechanisms, as seen in studies such as 1. The use of sermorelin is often preferred over direct growth hormone replacement as it preserves physiological pulsatile release patterns, which is essential for maintaining normal growth and development, as noted in 2.
Key Points
- Sermorelin is used to treat growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults, as well as for anti-aging purposes in some off-label contexts, with treatment duration varying based on the condition being treated, as discussed in 1 and 3.
- Side effects are generally mild and may include injection site reactions, headache, flushing, dizziness, or hyperactivity, as reported in 1 and 4.
- Regular monitoring of IGF-1 levels and other parameters by a healthcare provider is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness, as emphasized in 2 and 3.
- The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in adults is based on provocative testing of GH secretion, with the GHRH/GHRP-6 test being a convenient, safe, and reliable test, as shown in 4.
Important Considerations
- The GHRH/GHRP-6 test is not confounded by clinical factors known to alter GH secretory patterns, making it a useful diagnostic tool, as noted in 4.
- Long-acting forms of growth hormone-releasing hormone and growth hormone have been developed to extend the half-life of GH and GHRH, allowing for less frequent administration, as discussed in 3.
- The precise efficacy and safety assessments to use in monitoring long-term GH administration have not been definitively established, highlighting the need for ongoing research and monitoring, as mentioned in 3.