Is Geref (sermorelin) still available?

No, Geref (sermorelin) has been [discontinued](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/03/04/2013-04827/determination-that-geref-sermorelin-acetate-injection-05-milligrams-basevial-and-10-milligrams) as of 2008 and is no longer available in the United States.

Why was Geref (sermorelin) discontinued?

The manufacturer (EMD Serono) voluntarily discontinued Geref (sermorelin) due to [manufacturing difficulties](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rco2.9#:~:text=difficulties%20in%20the%20manufacturing%20process). It wasn't taken off the market for [safety concerns or lack of benefit](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=020443).

What other medications can my child use instead of Geref (sermorelin)?

Your provider will help guide you to an alternative treatment for your child's growth problems. There are several alternative medications for slow growth in children, including [Omnitrope (somatropin)](https://www.goodrx.com/omnitrope/what-is) and [Increlex (mecasermin)](https://www.goodrx.com/increlex/what-is). Both of these medications are injected under the skin. They're recombinant medications, which means that they're engineered (created) in a lab to be just like the natural human hormone. Talk with your provider to determine which treatment is best for your child.

Geref

Q: What is Geref (sermorelin)?

Geref (sermorelin) is an injectable medication used for the treatment of slow growth in children. It's a man-made version of the human [growth hormone-releasing hormone](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2691) (GHRH). Geref (sermorelin) mimics GHRH and causes the pituitary gland to release [growth hormone](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279056/) (GH), which helps to promote growth in children.

sermorelin acetate

Used for Growth Hormone Deficiency

Geref (sermorelin) is a man-made hormonal medication used for growth problems in children. It can be injected either under the skin or into a vein. Geref (sermorelin) was approved by the FDA in 1997. It has since been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Ally Tsai, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Last reviewed on June 29, 2022

What is Geref (sermorelin)?

What is Geref (sermorelin) used for?

Slow growth in children

Are you looking for information on Omnitrope (somatropin) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Geref(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	Growth hormone releasing factor analog
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Geref(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

Growth hormone releasing factor analog

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Geref

Geref is an injectable medication used for the treatment of slow growth in children. It's a man-made version of the human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Geref mimics GHRH and causes the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH), which helps to promote growth in children.

No, Geref has been discontinued as of 2008 and is no longer available in the United States.

The manufacturer (EMD Serono) voluntarily discontinued Geref due to manufacturing difficulties. It wasn't taken off the market for safety concerns or lack of benefit.

Your provider will help guide you to an alternative treatment for your child's growth problems. There are several alternative medications for slow growth in children, including Omnitrope (somatropin) and Increlex (mecasermin). Both of these medications are injected under the skin. They're recombinant medications, which means that they're engineered (created) in a lab to be just like the natural human hormone. Talk with your provider to determine which treatment is best for your child.

Geref (sermorelin) dosage

Typical dosage for Geref (sermorelin)

What are alternatives to Geref (sermorelin)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Geref (sermorelin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Geref (sermorelin)

Used for:

Slow growth in children

View prices

Omnitrope (somatropin)

Used for:

Certain growth-related conditions in children (e.g., low growth hormone, Turner Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome)
Low growth hormone in adults

$1,227.03Lowest GoodRx priceView prices

Increlex (mecasermin)

Used for:

Improving growth in children who are very short for their age because of severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or growth hormone (GH) deletion and have developed antibodies that attack GH

View prices

What is Geref (sermorelin)?

What is Geref (sermorelin) used for?

Are you looking for information on Omnitrope (somatropin) instead?

Drug facts

Common questions about Geref

What is Geref?

Is Geref still available?

Why was Geref discontinued?

What other medications can my child use instead of Geref?

Geref (sermorelin) dosage

Typical dosage for Geref (sermorelin)

What are alternatives to Geref (sermorelin)?

Common questions about Geref

What is Geref?

Is Geref still available?

Why was Geref discontinued?

What other medications can my child use instead of Geref?