Short answer: the biggest difference is not how they work, it is how FDA treats them. Sermorelin was once an FDA-approved drug, and FDA determined it was not withdrawn for safety reasons. Ipamorelin has never been approved, and FDA lists it among bulk substances that "may present significant safety risks" when used in compounding. This page explains both. We do not list where to obtain ipamorelin, and we do not recommend any clinic for it.
Medical note: this page summarizes published research and FDA pages read on 1 October 2026. It is not medical advice.
What each one is
Sermorelin is described in a 1999 review as "a 29 amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)." It acts like the body's own signal to the pituitary.
Ipamorelin acts on a different receptor. The research paper that introduced it says: "Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2), which displays high GH releasing potency and efficacy in vitro and in vivo." Its early appeal was selectivity: "Very surprisingly, ipamorelin did not release ACTH or cortisol in levels significantly different from those observed following GHRH stimulation." That work was done in animals, for example "In conscious swine, ipamorelin released GH with an ED50 = 2.3+/-0.03 nmol/kg and an Emax = 65+/-0.2 ng GH/ml plasma." It was not a study of people taking ipamorelin for longevity.
What FDA says
Sermorelin. FDA determined in 2013 that the approved sermorelin products "were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness." No FDA-approved sermorelin product is sold today; clinics prescribe a compounded version. See our sermorelin side effects page for the evidence.
Ipamorelin. FDA's page "Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks" (content current as of 22 April 2026) lists ipamorelin acetate twice:
- In the table of substances under category 2: "Ipamorelin acetate 503B September 29, 2023 Compounded drugs containing Ipamorelin acetate may pose risk for immunogenicity for certain routes of administration due to the potential for aggregation or peptide-related impurities." 503B refers to outsourcing facilities.
- In a second table of substances "previously in category 2 of the interim policies" whose nominations "were withdrawn by the nominators," with the note: "Ipamorelin acetate, which also appears in the table above because it is in category 2 under the 503B interim policy."
FDA's page also states: "A study published in literature identified serious adverse events including death when ipamorelin was administered intravenously for improving gastric motility."
What the categories mean, from FDA's 503A page: for category 1, "FDA does not intend to take action against a compounder for compounding drugs using bulk drug substances listed in category 1, provided that the conditions described in the guidance document are met." For category 2, "FDA has identified significant safety risks relating to the use of these substances in compounding pending further evaluation and, therefore, does not intend to adopt the policy described for the substances in category 1."
Side by side
| Sermorelin | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Ever FDA-approved | Yes (GEREF, children) | No |
| FDA compounding status (as read 1 October 2026) | Approved product withdrawn, FDA says not for safety or effectiveness | Category 2 under the 503B interim policy; 503A nomination withdrawn |
| Main human safety evidence | Small studies, flushing and injection-site pain most reported | FDA cites serious adverse events including death with intravenous use |
| Recorded as a product in our clinic database | Yes, at most clinics | No |
If a clinic offers ipamorelin
Ask which pharmacy makes it, whether that pharmacy is a 503A pharmacy or a 503B outsourcing facility, and how they reconcile it with FDA's category 2 listing. If the answers are vague, treat that as the answer.
Sermorelin prices we verified
These are sermorelin prices only. We do not publish prices for ipamorelin.
| Clinic | First month | After month one | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embody | $49 (sale) | $99 | 2026-10-14 |
| MyDrHank | $137 | $137 (flat, stated) | 2026-09-29 |
| Precision Telemed | $149.99 | $179.99/mo | 2026-09-30 |
More clinics, including those that publish only a first-month price: sermorelin prices: entry vs. ongoing.
Sources
- FDA, Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks, content current as of 04/22/2026. Read 1 October 2026.
- FDA, Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act, content current as of 05/14/2026. Read 1 October 2026.
- Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol 1998;139(5):552-61. PubMed 9849822. Read 1 October 2026.
- Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review. BioDrugs 1999;12(2):139-57. PubMed 18031173. Read 1 October 2026.
- Federal Register, 4 March 2013, document 2013-04827 (GEREF). Read 1 October 2026.
