Important: Sermorelin and other peptide therapies discussed in this article are prescription medications. Compounded formulations are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy. This content is for educational purposes only. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before starting any prescription peptide therapy.
Most coverage of MadeMed focuses on its GLP-1 weight-loss programs, which makes sense — that's where patient volume and search interest are highest. But MadeMed also offers sermorelin-based peptide therapy in both injectable and oral formats, and that category deserves the same research-depth treatment this site applies to every telehealth program we review. This article covers what sermorelin is, what the clinical evidence actually supports, how MadeMed's peptide programs are structured, and the regulatory context you need to understand before enrolling.
What Is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone, or GHRH. Rather than introducing exogenous growth hormone directly — as growth hormone replacement therapy does — sermorelin stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone via the body's natural regulatory feedback mechanisms. This distinction matters clinically. Because sermorelin operates upstream of growth hormone production rather than bypassing the regulatory system entirely, it preserves the pituitary's own feedback controls to a greater degree than direct growth hormone administration.
Sermorelin was previously FDA-approved under the name Geref for the evaluation and treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children. That approval was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer — not due to a safety finding, but for commercial reasons. Sermorelin prescribed through telehealth platforms today is compounded, meaning it is formulated by a licensed compounding pharmacy for specific patients and is not an FDA-approved finished drug product.
What the Research Supports — and What It Doesn't
The evidence base for sermorelin is meaningful but narrower than its marketing footprint might suggest. Published research has examined sermorelin's effects on growth hormone secretion, IGF-1 levels, body composition, and sleep quality in specific populations, primarily adults with documented growth hormone deficiency or age-related growth hormone decline. Studies have shown that sermorelin can stimulate measurable increases in growth hormone output in appropriate patient populations when administered via injection. The clinical rationale for its use exists.
What the research does not support: sermorelin as a general anti-aging treatment, as a performance enhancement tool for individuals with normal growth hormone levels, or as a guaranteed approach to improving body composition or energy in non-deficient adults. Sermorelin is not approved for these applications. No legitimate medical provider can guarantee outcomes from peptide therapy, and claims that sermorelin will produce specific effects on body composition, energy, or longevity in unselected patient populations exceed what peer-reviewed evidence supports.
The more difficult research question applies specifically to oral sermorelin. Peptides face significant challenges with oral bioavailability. The gastrointestinal tract contains proteases that degrade peptides before they reach systemic circulation, which is why most established peptide therapies use injectable delivery routes. The clinical evidence base for oral sermorelin formulations — including any sublingual or swallowed tablet format — is substantially more limited than for injectable sermorelin. This is not unique to MadeMed; it applies to oral peptide delivery across the telehealth market.
How MadeMed's Peptide Therapy Programs Are Structured
MadeMed offers sermorelin in both injectable and oral formats. The enrollment process follows the same telehealth model as the platform's GLP-1 programs: prospective patients complete an online medical intake, which is reviewed by a licensed clinician affiliated with Xpedicare, LLC. Prescribing is at the clinician's sole discretion. There is no guarantee that a prescription will be issued. Medication is dispensed through AbsoluteRx, MadeMed's licensed pharmacy partner, and shipped directly to the patient.
Sermorelin is typically administered at night, before sleep, because growth hormone secretion follows a circadian pattern with peak release during slow-wave sleep. Injectable sermorelin is administered subcutaneously — the same delivery method as injectable GLP-1 medications. Dosing and titration protocols are determined by the prescribing clinician based on individual patient assessment.
The subscription and billing structure for peptide therapy follows the same terms as MadeMed's other programs: recurring billing (30 or 90 day cycles), no prorated refunds, cancellation available via email or through the patient portal. Review the full Terms of Use at mademed.com before enrolling.
NAD+ Therapy: MadeMed's Other Longevity Category
MadeMed also offers NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) therapy in injectable and nasal spray formats, priced up to $269 per month for the nasal spray at higher tiers. NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism, and there is ongoing research interest in NAD+ precursors and direct NAD+ supplementation in the context of aging and metabolic health. As with sermorelin, the clinical evidence base for NAD+ therapy in healthy, non-deficient adults — and specifically for injectable and nasal spray formats at the doses used in telehealth programs — is substantially more limited than the marketing language around “longevity medicine” typically conveys. Discuss the evidence with your provider before starting any NAD+ program.
Who Peptide Therapy May Be Appropriate For
Sermorelin may be clinically appropriate for adults with documented growth hormone deficiency confirmed through lab testing, or for individuals where a licensed clinician determines it may be medically indicated after reviewing individual health history and goals. It is not a general wellness product and is not appropriate as a self-directed supplement or as a substitute for lifestyle interventions in growth-hormone-sufficient adults. Clinical evaluation before prescribing — including a thorough health history review — is the baseline standard for any responsible peptide therapy program.
If you're researching MadeMed primarily for weight loss support, the GLP-1 programs are the more evidence-anchored starting point. See our full MadeMed platform review for a complete breakdown of all programs, pricing, and what to verify before enrolling. For comparison with other telehealth platforms that offer peptide therapy alongside GLP-1 programs, see our review of TeleHealth Med, which covers a comparable care model.
What to Ask Your Provider Before Starting Sermorelin
Has your growth hormone status been evaluated through lab testing? What IGF-1 levels would indicate you're a candidate for sermorelin therapy? Will you receive a baseline lab assessment before prescribing? What does dose titration look like and how is response monitored over time? What is the compounding pharmacy's accreditation status and quality assurance process for the specific formulation? How long is a reasonable trial period before evaluating whether the therapy is producing any measurable response? Are there contraindications given your current medications or health history?
These are not difficult questions — they're the baseline clinical due diligence any responsible provider should be prepared to answer. A platform or provider that can't or won't engage with them is a signal to seek a different clinical relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sermorelin and how does it work?
Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It works by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone through the body's natural regulatory pathways, rather than introducing exogenous growth hormone directly. It requires a licensed provider evaluation and is not approved for anti-aging or general wellness use. Clinical applications have included evaluation for growth hormone deficiency under physician supervision.
Is MadeMed's sermorelin FDA-approved?
Sermorelin was previously FDA-approved as Geref for pediatric growth hormone deficiency, but that approval was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer. Sermorelin prescribed through telehealth platforms today is typically compounded, meaning it is not an FDA-approved finished drug product and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy in its compounded form.
What is the difference between injectable and oral sermorelin at MadeMed?
MadeMed offers both injectable and oral sermorelin formats. Injectable sermorelin is administered subcutaneously and is the more established delivery route in clinical literature. Oral peptide delivery faces significant bioavailability challenges due to degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical evidence base for oral sermorelin formulations is substantially more limited than for injectable formats. Discuss which format is appropriate for your situation with a licensed provider before starting.