If sermorelin is part of your peptide therapy stack, you may experience some side effects during the first few weeks of treatment. These side effects often fade as your body adjusts to the treatment or when you change your dosing.
Mild side effects are common and nothing to worry about, but some side effects merit immediate attention. Here’s what is and isn’t normal for sermorelin peptide side effects and when you should contact your provider.
What Is Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide that mimics growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRH), which stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland. Primarily administered to children who aren’t growing properly due to a lack of GH, sermorelin has been used off-label to treat low GH in adults.
It was originally sold under the brand name Geref. The manufacturer discontinued sermorelin production in 2008 for business — not safety — reasons, but you can still get it from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription.
While the use of sermorelin in adults hasn’t been extensively studied, users have reported an improvement in their:
- Lean muscle mass and body fat loss
- Libido
- Insulin sensitivity
- Overall well-being
- Sleep quality
Is Sermorelin Peptide Therapy Safe?
Sermorelin works by imitating your body’s natural process, sending a signal to the pituitary gland to release more GH. It sounds similar to human growth hormone (HGH) therapy, but there’s a distinct difference.
In HGH therapy, you’re adding GH to your body, and in some cases, that’s necessary. For example, adults with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) may benefit from the direct introduction of HGH. However, high levels of HGH could lead to long-term complications like:
- Cardiovascular issues
- Insulin resistance
- Excessive hormone levels
- Abnormal tissue growth
Sermorelin peptide therapy works differently. Instead of adding HG to your body, sermorelin stimulates your pituitary gland to release more HG into your body. But it can’t stimulate the pituitary gland to release more than you need, making it less likely you have too much HG in your system.
Common Side Effects of Sermorelin Peptide Therapy
Mild side effects are common and often disappear in a few days. They generally occur at the injection site and happen because sermorelin injections are subcutaneous, meaning they’re injected into the fatty tissue just under your skin. Side effects may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itching
- Mild bruising
- Achy or tender feeling at injection site
Less Common Side Effects of Sermorelin
Sermorelin also has some less common side effects you may experience for as much as two weeks after your injection, likely due to the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activity and hormonal shifts.
While not serious and usually temporary, you should still let your practitioner know if you experience:
- Itching
- Trouble swallowing
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Being overtired
- Mood changes
- Trouble sitting still
- Headaches
- Changes in taste
- Drowsiness
Rare Side Effects of Sermorelin
Some people may experience some of the more rare side effects of sermorelin. If these side effects occur, you should contact your provider immediately:
- Vivid dreams or insomnia
- Swollen hands or feet, or other symptoms of water retention
- New joint pain and stiffness, particularly in your knees or ankles
- Tingling or numbness in your arms and legs.
Serious Side Effects of Sermorelin
If you experience any of the below after your sermorelin injection, seek immediate medical attention:
- Symptoms of allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, severe itching, difficult breathing, or swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest tightness or chest pain
- Visual changes, like blurred vision or feeling pressure behind your eyes
- Severe reactions at the injection site, including rapid swelling, spreading redness, or severe pain
- Fever
Possible Drug Interactions With Sermorelin
Some of your medications may interact with sermorelin and cause other side effects that need attention. If you’re on any of the below, let your provider know before you start sermorelin peptide therapy:
- Thyroid medications like levothyroxine (Synthroid or Euthyrox)
- Cyclooxygenase inhibitors like (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Glucocorticoids (prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone)
- Insulin
- Levodopa
- Oral estrogen
What Causes Sermorelin Side Effects?
While there’s no way to know how you’ll react to sermorelin or if you’ll even experience side effects, some factors can increase the odds you have side effects:
- Dosage and frequency. Too high a dose or using sermorelin too often can overwhelm your body’s natural processes.
- General health. If you have diabetes, thyroid disorders, or sleep apnea, your body may not respond as expected to sermorelin peptide therapy.
- Lifestyle factors. Drinking alcohol, high stress levels, and poor sleep can impact how well you react to sermorelin peptides.
Achieve Optimal Wellness
Sermorelin peptide therapy can help you achieve your wellness goals. It may support lean muscle mass development, encourage fat loss, and help you feel better in general. Side effects are common, but if something feels off or you aren’t sure what’s normal, contact us immediately.
The team at Complete Wellness and Aesthetics is here to support your wellness goals. Every peptide therapy treatment we designed is customized to your unique needs. Whether your plan includes sermorelin or not, all of our peptides are sourced from manufacturers with strict quality standards.
Schedule your free consultation today to learn how peptide therapy can help you achieve optimal wellness.