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Comparison

HGH (Somatropin) vs Sermorelin

HGH vs Sermorelin: replacing GH directly versus stimulating natural production. Legal and risk differences.

№ 021
HGH (Somatropin)
GH-axisEvidence: Strong

HGH is the actual growth hormone protein your pituitary releases — not a peptide that nudges your body to release more. Prescription only in legitimate medicine. Carries the highest legal risk of anything in this space if used non-medically. Most users in this catalog run GH-axis *peptides* (Ipamorelin, CJC, Tesamorelin, Sermorelin) instead, which signal your own body to produce more GH naturally and carry far less regulatory exposure.

Onset
65
Documentation
75
Side intensity
100
Popularity
88
№ 014
Sermorelin
GH-axisEvidence: Moderate

Sermorelin is the older, gentler cousin in the GH-axis family. Approved decades ago. Often used by anti-aging clinics for adults with declining GH output. Daily injection at bedtime.

Onset
65
Documentation
75
Side intensity
64
Popularity
50
Side-by-side
Field
Left
Right
Category
GH-axis
GH-axis
Half-life
~3-5 hours injected
~10-20 minutes
Route
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous
Schedule
Daily
Once daily, typically before bed
Cycle length
Long-term in medical use
12-24 weeks
Dose
Medical: 1-3 IU daily. Performance use is illegal under federal law in the US (Anabolic Steroid Control Act).
200-500 mcg sub-q nightly, on an empty stomach. Some protocols use 100-300 mcg twice daily.
FDA
Approved under multiple brand names (Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Saizen, Omnitrope) for GH deficiency, AIDS wasting, Turner syndrome, short stature in children, idiopathic short stature, SHOX deficiency, and others.
Originally approved as Geref (1997) as a pediatric GH-deficiency diagnostic, later withdrawn from the market.
WADA
Banned (S2)
Banned (S2)
Natty?
Not natty
Not natty
Prescribed
Yes — by endocrinologists for the approved indications. Performance use is illegal under the U.S. Anabolic Steroid Control Act.
Some longevity / anti-aging clinics prescribe via compounding pharmacies, off-label.
Top side effects
Water retention / edema; Carpal tunnel symptoms; Insulin resistance / elevated fasting glucose
Head-rush at injection; Hunger pulse 30-60 min post-dose; Mild flushing

Which one should you pick?

Pick HGH (Somatropin) if people who already have a legitimate medical prescription (gh deficiency, aids wasting, short stature) or educational reference — most users in this space run gh-axis peptides instead.

Pick Sermorelin if beginners to gh-axis peptides or older adults with declining gh output.

Note: these two are commonly stacked together rather than chosen between. See the entries for the canonical protocol.

Full entry
№ 021 HGH (Somatropin) →
Full entry
№ 014 Sermorelin →