Is HGH (Somatropin) legal?
HGH (Somatropin) is an FDA approved drug. For drug-tested athletes it is WADA banned (S2). Yes, by endocrinologists for the approved indications. Performance use is illegal under the U.S. Anabolic Steroid Control Act.. Legal status depends on your country and changes over time. This reflects US status at the time of writing and is not legal or medical advice.
Regulatory status
- 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.
- WADA: Banned (S2)
- Prescription: Yes, by endocrinologists for the approved indications. Performance use is illegal under the U.S. Anabolic Steroid Control Act.
References
- Growth Hormone Treatment in Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency (clinical practice guideline) — Molitch ME et al., JCEM, 2011
- The effects of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone on body composition and metabolism in adults with growth hormone deficiency — Salomon F, Cuneo RC, Hesp R, et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1989
- Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old — Rudman D, Feller AG, Nagraj HS, et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1990
Pepdex is an editorial reference, not medical advice. Peptides vary in legal and approval status by country, many are research compounds without full human safety data. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting anything.
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Last updated 2026-06-06.