Sermorelin is a medication that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more human growth hormone (hGH). It’s often used to treat hGH deficiency in both adults and children, similar to CJC-1295/Ipamorelin.
Getting the right dose is important. Too little, and you won’t see the benefits. Too much, and you risk side effects.
While you can find a sermorelin dosage calculator online, it’s important to understand the principles behind the calculation. That way, you can feel confident in the dose you’re taking.
Understanding Sermorelin and Its Administration
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a peptide that encourages your pituitary gland to produce and release human growth hormone (hGH). It usually comes in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) form, which means you’ll need to mix it with bacteriostatic water before you can use it.
Reconstitution Process
Bacteriostatic water is important for reconstitution because it helps to prevent bacterial growth in the solution. The amount of bacteriostatic water you need depends on the size of the Sermorelin vial:
- 6 mg vial of Sermorelin — Mix in 3mL of bacteriostatic water
- 9 mg of Sermorelin — Mix in 4.5mL of bacteriostatic water
- 15 mg vial of Sermorelin — Mix in 7.5mL of bacteriostatic water
When mixing, gently swirl the solution instead of shaking it vigorously.
Injection Method
Sermorelin is given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin). To avoid soreness, rotate your injection sites.
Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Sermorelin Dosage
It’s so important to follow your doctor’s instructions for any medication, including Sermorelin. Dosage is usually prescribed in micrograms (mcg).
Calculating the Correct Syringe Measurement
Here’s the thing: you need to know how the units on the syringe correspond to the mcg of Sermorelin you need. Let’s walk through it.
If you have a standard concentration, ten units on the syringe equals 200 mcg of Sermorelin.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- 1 mg (1000 mcg) prescribed dosage = 50 unit mark on syringe
- 0.5 mg (500 mcg) prescribed dosage = 25 unit mark on syringe
Of course, the exact conversion depends on how you’ve reconstituted the medication. You’ll need to do a little math to convert mcg to syringe units based on the reconstituted concentration.
Example Calculation
Let’s try an example. Say you have a 9mg vial that you’ve mixed with 4.5mL of bacteriostatic water, and your doctor prescribed a dose of 300mcg. How many units on the syringe do you need? This is where you’ll need to do some math, or find a helpful online calculator, to figure it out.
Important Considerations and Safety Precautions
If your doctor prescribes sermorelin, it’s important to understand how to store it, how to administer it, and what side effects to watch out for.
Storage and Handling
- Sermorelin should be refrigerated after you mix it.
- Mixed medication should last for up to 90 days.
- Sermorelin can still be effective if it’s left out of the fridge for less than 72 hours.
Potential Side Effects
Some common side effects of sermorelin include warmth or flushing, pain at the injection site, nausea, and headache.
Contact your healthcare provider if your medication looks cloudy or has particles in it.
Precautions
- Use sermorelin exactly as prescribed and follow your provider’s instructions.
- Don’t use any other diluent unless your physician tells you to.
- Always dispose of needles and syringes properly.
Final Thoughts
Calculating the right sermorelin dosage is key to getting the results you’re looking for — and avoiding unwanted side effects.
Remember to consider your weight and the concentration of your sermorelin when you calculate your dose.
It’s always best to talk with a qualified healthcare provider who can offer guidance tailored to your specific needs and health status, and understand your insurance coverage, such as if United Healthcare covers hormone therapy.
You can contact the Defy Medical Patient Care team at [email protected] for help.