Growth-Hormone-Releasing Peptides: Sermorelin, CJC-1295, Ipamorelin and Tesamorelin

Quick summary

These four peptides all aim to raise the body's own growth hormone (GH). They are not interchangeable. Tesamorelin is an approved medicine (FDA) for one specific use. Sermorelin was approved in the past and its approval was withdrawn in 2009. CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are investigational compounds with small studies. Each has its own page linked below, and this page compares them.

Two routes to the same hormone

Drugs of this type prompt the pituitary gland to release GH, which raises IGF-1 in the blood. [1][2] Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid analogue of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). [3] CJC-1295 and tesamorelin are also GHRH-type analogues. [2][1] Ipamorelin works differently: it is a ghrelin-receptor agonist. [4] A review of these "secretagogues" notes they promote pulsatile GH release that remains subject to negative feedback, but few long-term controlled studies exist, and some studies raise concern for higher blood glucose through reduced insulin sensitivity. [5] For the hormone system itself, see growth hormone and IGF-1 signaling, and for how this differs from GH itself, peptides vs growth hormone.

Sermorelin

Sermorelin was used mainly as a diagnostic test for GH deficiency and, in limited data, to treat some children with idiopathic GH deficiency. [3] Its brand product was approved by FDA in 1990 and 1997, its maker discontinued it, and FDA withdrew the approvals effective June 18, 2009, determining this was not for reasons of safety or effectiveness. [6] No approved sermorelin use in healthy adults was found in the sources read, so "anti-aging" claims are a marketing claim. See sermorelin.

CJC-1295

A long-acting GHRH analogue. In two placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults, single or a few injections raised GH 2- to 10-fold and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold, with no serious adverse reactions reported. [2] That is a hormone effect, not a health benefit. A registered phase 2 trial in HIV-related visceral fat was terminated with no results posted. [7] "With DAC" and "without DAC" products should not be treated as the same. Label: insufficient evidence. See CJC-1295.

Ipamorelin

In a phase 2 trial of 117 bowel-surgery patients it was well tolerated but did not differ significantly from placebo on the main result. [4] Label: no good evidence of benefit for that use. See ipamorelin.

Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin (a 44-amino-acid GHRH analogue with an added chemical group) is an approved medicine: the FDA label for EGRIFTA SV is for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy, and it is not indicated for weight loss management. [1] In a 6-month randomized trial of 404 people, visceral fat fell 10.9% with tesamorelin versus 0.6% with placebo, and the gain was lost when people switched to placebo. [8][9] The label contraindicates it in pregnancy, active malignancy and disrupted pituitary function, warns about glucose intolerance, and reports anti-drug antibodies in about half of treated patients in trials. [1] FDA has also treated tesamorelin offered by an online seller as an unapproved new drug. [10] This page gives no prescribing guidance; see tesamorelin.

Compared