Sermorelin is a Category 1 compounded peptide — prescribed through licensed US compounding pharmacies — and most patients receive it in standardised vial sizes (3 mg, 5 mg, 9 mg, or 15 mg). The reconstitution math is simple, but the optimal injection timing (pre-bed, aligned with natural GH pulsatility) and the typical dose range (200–500 mcg per injection) differ from other peptides in this reference set. This page covers the per-vial-size math with a free calculator pre-filled for the standard protocol.
Key Takeaways
- —Sermorelin ships in 3 mg, 5 mg, 9 mg, or 15 mg lyophilised vials from compounding pharmacies. 2 mL BAC water is the standard reconstitution volume.
- —At 5 mg + 2 mL, the concentration is 2,500 mcg/mL. The typical 300 mcg pre-bed dose = 0.12 mL = 12 units on a U-100 insulin syringe.
- —Sermorelin is typically dosed once daily pre-bed to align with natural nocturnal GH pulse. Some protocols split to twice daily (morning + pre-bed).
- —A 5 mg vial yields ~16 doses at 300 mcg each; a 15 mg vial yields ~50. Typical 12-week cycles need 1–3 × 5 mg vials or one 15 mg vial.
- —Sermorelin's IGF-1 response is capped by pituitary reserve — see sermorelin vs HGH for the mechanism ceiling and when exogenous HGH might be more appropriate.
| Vial Size | BAC Water | Concentration | Typical Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mg | 1 mL | 3 mg/mL (3,000 mcg/mL) | Small starter vial |
| 3 mg | 2 mL | 1.5 mg/mL (1,500 mcg/mL) | Lower concentration; larger draw volume |
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL (2,500 mcg/mL) | Most common compounded protocol |
| 9 mg | 2 mL | 4.5 mg/mL (4,500 mcg/mL) | Higher-concentration option |
| 15 mg | 3 mL | 5 mg/mL (5,000 mcg/mL) | Long-cycle supply; matches Category 1 compounding defaults |
The 5 mg + 2 mL reconstitution gives convenient syringe marks for 200–500 mcg doses without any fractional unit complications.
Using 5 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water (2,500 mcg/mL):
| Protocol | Dose | Draw Volume | U-100 Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | 200 mcg | 0.08 mL | 8 units |
| Low-moderate | 250 mcg | 0.10 mL | 10 units |
| Standard | 300 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 units |
| Moderate-high | 400 mcg | 0.16 mL | 16 units |
| High | 500 mcg | 0.20 mL | 20 units |
For the 15 mg + 3 mL (5,000 mcg/mL) concentration (common for 3-month supply vials), halve every unit count above: 300 mcg = 6 units, 500 mcg = 10 units.
Sermorelin cycles are longer than most research peptides — typically 12–24 weeks, sometimes continuous:
| Cycle Length | Daily Dose | Total mg | 5 mg Vials | 15 mg Vials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 weeks | 300 mcg | ~25 mg | 5 | 2 |
| 24 weeks | 300 mcg | ~50 mg | 10 | 4 |
| 12 weeks | 500 mcg | ~42 mg | 9 | 3 |
| 24 weeks (twice daily 250 mcg) | 500 mcg/day | ~84 mg | 17 | 6 |
The 15 mg vial is the practical cost-per-mg winner for cycles of 12+ weeks — buying quarterly-supply vials from a compounding pharmacy typically runs $150–400/month.
Open the dosing calculator pre-filled with the standard sermorelin protocol (5 mg vial, 2 mL BAC water, 300 mcg pre-bed dose).
Other common presets:
Sermorelin from a compounding pharmacy often ships with specific stability labelling (typically 30 days refrigerated after reconstitution; some preservative-free formulations have shorter windows). Always follow the pharmacy's specific labelling rather than the general 28-day rule — Category 1 compounded products sometimes have formulation-specific stability data.
For a 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL BAC water (2,500 mcg/mL): the typical 300 mcg pre-bed dose = 0.12 mL = 12 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. 200 mcg = 8 units; 500 mcg = 20 units.
GHRH-stimulated GH release is additive with natural nocturnal GH pulse. Pre-bed dosing times the exogenous stimulus to coincide with the endogenous peak, maximising net IGF-1 response. Morning-only dosing is significantly less effective per injection.
2 mL is the standard, producing 2,500 mcg/mL — convenient syringe marks for 200–500 mcg doses. 1 mL reconstitution doubles the concentration (5,000 mcg/mL); some protocols use this to reduce draw volume, but below ~4 units the measurement becomes imprecise on standard insulin syringes.
Sermorelin is GHRH(1-29) — binds the GHRH receptor only. Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 stacks two independent receptors (ghrelin + GHRH), producing a larger combined GH pulse. Sermorelin alone is simpler (one compound, one injection per day); the ipamorelin stack is more potent mechanistically. Full comparison in the sermorelin vs HGH guide and the ipamorelin + CJC-1295 stack guide.
Sermorelin was previously FDA-approved as Geref (pediatric GH deficiency diagnosis), withdrawn from the US market in 2008. Currently not FDA-approved for any indication, but available via Category 1 compounding pharmacy with a physician prescription. Details in the where-to-buy sermorelin guide.
This article is for research and informational purposes only. Sermorelin is a compounded prescription medication in the US and requires a licensed prescriber. Consult a healthcare professional before considering any sermorelin protocol.
Research Disclaimer. All content on Next Pep is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before considering any peptide protocol.
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