What is the difference between Ipamorelin and Sermorelin?

Ipamorelin is classified as: Growth hormone secretagogue; ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor agonist (pentapeptide). Sermorelin is classified as: Synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone comprising its first 29 amino acids (GHRH 1-29); formerly FDA-approved (Geref), later withdrawn from the US market. Ipamorelin is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Sermorelin does not have a settled approval status and is not an approved medicine for general clinical use.

Is Ipamorelin or Sermorelin approved?

Ipamorelin is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Sermorelin does not have a settled approval status and is not an approved medicine for general clinical use. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.

How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for Ipamorelin and Sermorelin?

Peptide Science Daily tracks 2 registered clinical trials for Ipamorelin (evidence grade C) and 35 for Sermorelin (evidence grade C).

Compound comparison

Ipamorelin vs Sermorelin

This page sets Ipamorelin and Sermorelin side by side using the data recorded on Peptide Science Daily: drug class, mechanism of action, regulatory status by region, the evidence grade assigned here, and the number of clinical trials tracked. It is a neutral, factual comparison and does not rank either compound or recommend one over the other.

Side-by-side comparison

Class: Ipamorelin
Growth hormone secretagogue; ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor agonist (pentapeptide)
Sermorelin
Synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone comprising its first 29 amino acids (GHRH 1-29); formerly FDA-approved (Geref), later withdrawn from the US market
Mechanism: Ipamorelin
In plain terms it acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin to switch on growth-hormone release.
Sermorelin
In plain terms, sermorelin prompts the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
United States (FDA): Ipamorelin
Not approved for any indication. FDA removed ipamorelin acetate from Category 2 of the interim 503A bulks list (September 2024) after the nomination was withdrawn and did not add it to the compoundable 503A list; PCAC review did not support inclusion.
Sermorelin
Previously approved as Geref (sermorelin acetate) for the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency; the product was discontinued and withdrawn from the US market around 2008 for commercial reasons, not because of safety or efficacy concerns. No FDA-approved sermorelin product is currently marketed; it is available in the US only through pharmacy compounding.
European Union (EMA): Ipamorelin
No EMA marketing authorization; not an approved medicine in the EU.
Sermorelin
No current EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the European Union.
Australia (TGA): Ipamorelin
Not on the ARTG; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue. Supply for human therapeutic use is restricted (prescription-only class) with no approved indication.
Sermorelin
Not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); no approved sermorelin product. Supply for human therapeutic use would be prescription-only or via compounding.
WADA: Ipamorelin
Prohibited at all times under Section S2; growth hormone secretagogues including ipamorelin are explicitly listed.
Sermorelin
Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth-hormone-releasing factors, including GHRH and its analogues such as sermorelin, are prohibited.
Evidence grade: Ipamorelin
C
Sermorelin
C
Tracked clinical trials: Ipamorelin
2
Sermorelin
35
Full profile: Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin profile
Sermorelin
Sermorelin profile

Comparison of Ipamorelin and Sermorelin by class, mechanism, regulatory status by region, evidence grade, and number of tracked clinical trials.
Attribute	Ipamorelin	Sermorelin
Class	Growth hormone secretagogue; ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor agonist (pentapeptide)	Synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone comprising its first 29 amino acids (GHRH 1-29); formerly FDA-approved (Geref), later withdrawn from the US market
Mechanism	In plain terms it acts like the hunger hormone ghrelin to switch on growth-hormone release.	In plain terms, sermorelin prompts the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
United States (FDA)	Not approved for any indication. FDA removed ipamorelin acetate from Category 2 of the interim 503A bulks list (September 2024) after the nomination was withdrawn and did not add it to the compoundable 503A list; PCAC review did not support inclusion.	Previously approved as Geref (sermorelin acetate) for the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone deficiency; the product was discontinued and withdrawn from the US market around 2008 for commercial reasons, not because of safety or efficacy concerns. No FDA-approved sermorelin product is currently marketed; it is available in the US only through pharmacy compounding.
European Union (EMA)	No EMA marketing authorization; not an approved medicine in the EU.	No current EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine in the European Union.
Australia (TGA)	Not on the ARTG; an unapproved growth hormone secretagogue. Supply for human therapeutic use is restricted (prescription-only class) with no approved indication.	Not registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG); no approved sermorelin product. Supply for human therapeutic use would be prescription-only or via compounding.
WADA	Prohibited at all times under Section S2; growth hormone secretagogues including ipamorelin are explicitly listed.	Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics); growth-hormone-releasing factors, including GHRH and its analogues such as sermorelin, are prohibited.
Evidence grade	C	C
Tracked clinical trials	2	35
Full profile	Ipamorelin profile	Sermorelin profile

Common questions

What is the difference between Ipamorelin and Sermorelin?: Ipamorelin is classified as: Growth hormone secretagogue; ghrelin (GHS-R1a) receptor agonist (pentapeptide). Sermorelin is classified as: Synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone comprising its first 29 amino acids (GHRH 1-29); formerly FDA-approved (Geref), later withdrawn from the US market. Ipamorelin is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Sermorelin does not have a settled approval status and is not an approved medicine for general clinical use.
Is Ipamorelin or Sermorelin approved?: Ipamorelin is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Sermorelin does not have a settled approval status and is not an approved medicine for general clinical use. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.
How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for Ipamorelin and Sermorelin?: Peptide Science Daily tracks 2 registered clinical trials for Ipamorelin (evidence grade C) and 35 for Sermorelin (evidence grade C).