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Medical notice — For research and educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed physician before using any peptide or compound.

Tesamorelin

growth-hormonemetabolicfat-loss
Regulatory status — FDA-approved for indicated use

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce endogenous growth hormone in a pulsatile, physiologically similar pattern [1]. It is FDA-approved for the reduction of excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by visceral fat accumulation, metabolic complications, and increased cardiovascular risk [1]. The strongest evidence base supports its use in HIV populations on antiretroviral therapy, with emerging research exploring effects on hepatic steatosis, mitochondrial function, and cognition.

Evidence coverage

35/47 claims verified by independent fact-checker.

5 claims pending coverage
  • FDA prescribing-label data(3 claims)
  • Source attribution gap(2 claims)

Pepteligence regenerates entries quarterly and when new high-tier evidence appears.

Quick facts

Half-life
8 minutes
Typical dose
2mg/day SC
Route
subcutaneous
Frequency
Once daily [16] [3].
Cycle length
ongoing
Evidence strength
Phase III RCTs

Suggested labs for this peptide class — educational reference only; not medical advice.

Official prescribing information

The following sections are reproduced from the FDA-approved prescribing information. This is the authoritative clinical record — not editorial content.

Approved use(s)

EGRIFTA SV is indicated for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy. Limitations of Use: Long-term cardiovascular safety of EGRIFTA SV has not been established. Consider risk/benefit of continuation of treatment in patients who have not had a reduction…

Dosing & administration

5.5 The dosage and administration recommendations in this prescribing information only apply to EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) for injection 2 mg per vial formulation. For dosage and administration recommendations for tesamorelin for injection 1 mg per vial formulation, see the EGRIFTA prescribing informa…

Warnings & precautions

New Malignancy Carefully consider the decision to start treatment with EGRIFTA SV based on the increased background risk of malignancies in HIV-positive patients. Active Malignancy 4 EGRIFTA SV induces the release of endogenous growth hormone (GH), a known growth factor. Do not treat patients with a…

Contraindications

EGRIFTA SV is contraindicated in: Patients with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis due to hypophysectomy, hypopituitarism, pituitary tumor/surgery, head irradiation or head trauma. Patients with active malignancy. Any preexisting malignancy should be inactive and its treatment complete pr…

Drug interactions

Co-administration of tesamorelin with simvastatin, a CYP3A substrate had no significant impact on the pharmacokinetics profiles of simvastatin in healthy subjects. EGRIFTA SV stimulates GH production. Published data indicate that GH may modulate cytochrome P450 (CYP450) mediated antipyrine clearance…

Adverse reactions

The following important adverse reactions are also described elsewhere in the labeling: Increased risk of neoplasms Elevated IGF-1 levels Fluid retention Glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus Hypersensitivity reactions Injection site reactions Because clinical trials are conducted under widely va…

Source: FDA-approved prescribing information for Egrifta, last updated December 23, 2025. View original at DailyMed →

TL;DR

  • Half-life: 8 minutes — dosed once daily..
  • Administered via subcutaneous.
  • Evidence base: randomised controlled trials.
  • Primary goals: growth-hormone, metabolic, fat-loss.
EVIDENCE HIERARCHYRCTsObservationalAnimal studiesAnecdotal

Randomised controlled trials

How we evaluate evidence →

How it works

GHRH analogues stimulate pulsatile GH release from the pituitary, elevating IGF-1 and promoting fat oxidation.

Tesamorelin is a synthetic GHRH analog that binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, stimulating endogenous growth hormone (GH) secretion in an episodic, pulsatile pattern that closely resembles physiological GH release [2]. This downstream GH secretion drives a subsequent rise in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [12], which mediates many of tesamorelin's metabolic effects, including visceral fat lipolysis. Mechanistic data indicate that adiponectin levels increase in response to tesamorelin treatment and that these increases correlate with GH secretion parameters, suggesting a favorable adipokine shift [17]. In HIV-infected individuals with hepatic steatosis, tesamorelin-induced liver fat reduction is associated with a decrease in fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a marker of metabolic liver stress [18]. HIV-associated lipodystrophy is characterized by visceral fat accumulation, metabolic complications, and increased cardiovascular risks, providing the pathophysiological rationale for GHRH-axis augmentation in this population [1].

What the research says

Research summary content coming soon. Check the references section for indexed studies.

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Approximate plasma concentration over 4 half-lives (0h × 4 = 0h)

Protocol lifecycle

BeforeDuringAfter

Before — Pre-cycle readiness

Readiness checklist

Diagnosis and indication
  • Confirmed HIV-associated lipodystrophy with excess visceral adipose tissue
  • Stable antiretroviral therapy regimen; INSTI-based regimens specifically studied [3]
Baseline labs
  • Fasting glucose and HbA1c
  • IGF-1 level
  • Liver function tests
  • Fasting lipid panel
Safety screening
  • No active malignancy
  • No pituitary or hypothalamic pathology
  • Not competing in sports governed by WADA anti-doping rules [9]
  • Diabetes status documented; monitoring plan in place if applicable [6]
Imaging
  • CT or MRI measurement of visceral adipose tissue for baseline documentation and response monitoring
  • Confirm HIV-associated lipodystrophy diagnosis with clinical and imaging assessment of visceral adiposity.
  • Establish baseline metabolic panel including fasting glucose, insulin, and IGF-1 levels.
  • Confirm current antiretroviral regimen; a phase 3 RCT demonstrated efficacy and safety specifically in individuals on integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based antiretroviral regimens [3].
  • Screen for contraindications including active malignancy, disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and competitive sports participation subject to WADA rules [9].

During — Active protocol

Protocol notice — The following describes common protocols reported in research and community sources. This is not medical advice. Dosing, frequency, and duration should be determined with a licensed physician familiar with peptide research.
  • Administer 2 mg subcutaneously once daily as used in clinical trials [16] [3].
  • Monitor IGF-1 levels during treatment, as tesamorelin reliably increases IGF-1 [12] [2].
  • Monitor fasting glucose and HbA1c, particularly in patients with pre-existing glucose dysregulation or type 2 diabetes [6].
  • Assess for injection-site reactions and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome during the treatment course [15].
  • In patients with HIV-associated hepatic steatosis (MASLD), baseline and follow-up liver imaging may be informative, given phase 3 trial data showing reduction in hepatic fat and attenuation of fibrosis progression over 1 year [4].

After — Post-cycle

  • Clinical trial evidence does not define a standard cycling protocol; duration of therapy should be guided by clinical response and the prescribing label.
  • VAT reduction observed in trials may be sustained with continued therapy; long-term data beyond one year are limited.

Stacks it appears in

Tesamorelin is typically used as a standalone compound. Stack data coming soon.

Related peptides

Other compounds indexed on Pepteligence that share research tags with Tesamorelin. Educational context only.

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Safety

Common side effects

  • ·Injection-site reactions (erythema, pain, pruritus) — reported in clinical trials [16]
  • ·Edema and fluid retention — consistent with GH-axis stimulation [12]
  • ·Arthralgia and myalgia — consistent with GH-axis stimulation

Rare side effects

  • ·Carpal tunnel syndrome — flagged in pharmacovigilance data for growth hormone-axis agents; not quantified specifically for tesamorelin [15]
Safety notice — Serious / theoretical risks:
  • Glucose dysregulation — clinical trials suggest acceptable glucose control at 1–2 mg daily over 12 weeks in type 2 diabetes patients, but monitoring is required [6]
  • Potential for IGF-1 elevation above normal range — requires monitoring during therapy [2]

Contraindications

  • ·Active malignancy (theoretical, based on IGF-1 elevation and cell growth promotion)
  • ·Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (e.g., hypophysectomy, pituitary tumor, cranial irradiation)
  • ·Competitive sports governed by WADA anti-doping regulations — GHRH analogs including tesamorelin are prohibited [9] [10] [11]
  • ·Pregnancy (potential risk based on GH-axis activity; use is not established)
  • ·Known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol (excipient)

Community experiences

Community content — User-submitted experiences are self-reported and have not been verified. They do not constitute medical advice. Pepteligence aggregates community data under Section 230 protections.

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Tesamorelin — at a glance

PropertyTesamorelin—
Half-life8 minutes—
Routesubcutaneous—
Typical dose2mg/day SC—
MechanismTesamorelin is a synthetic GHRH analog that binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, stimulating endogenous growth hormone (GH) secretion in an episodic, pulsatile pattern that closely resembles physiological GH release. This downstream GH secretion drives a subsequent rise in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of tesamorelin's metabolic effects, including visceral fat lipolysis. Mechanistic data indicate that adiponectin levels increase in response to tesamorelin treatment and that these increases correlate with GH secretion parameters, suggesting a favorable adipokine shift. In HIV-infected individuals with hepatic steatosis, tesamorelin-induced liver fat reduction is associated with a decrease in fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a marker of metabolic liver stress. HIV-associated lipodystrophy is characterized by visceral fat accumulation, metabolic complications, and increased cardiovascular risks, providing the pathophysiological rationale for GHRH-axis augmentation in this population.—
Evidence strengthrctanecdotal
Primary goalgrowth-hormone—

Frequently asked questions

What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce endogenous growth hormone in a pulsatile, physiologically similar pattern. It is FDA-approved for the reduction of excess visceral adipose tissue in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy and is sold as Egrifta SV.
How does Tesamorelin work?
Tesamorelin binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, stimulating endogenous growth hormone secretion in an episodic, pulsatile pattern that closely resembles physiological GH release. This downstream GH secretion drives a subsequent rise in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of its metabolic effects.
What is Tesamorelin FDA-approved for?
Tesamorelin (Egrifta SV) is FDA-approved for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. This is its only approved indication. Use outside this indication is off-label and not supported by regulatory approval.
What is the brand name for Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is sold as Egrifta SV, used for management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
What is the typical dosage of Tesamorelin?
The approved dose is 2 mg administered subcutaneously once daily, based on prescribing information and clinical trial protocols.
How is Tesamorelin administered?
Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneously once daily, based on the prescribing information and the clinical trial data supporting its approved indication.
How long is a Tesamorelin course?
Tesamorelin is indicated for ongoing, continuous use in its approved indication. Clinical data document ongoing administration for management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
What are common side effects of Tesamorelin?
Side effects in the approved indication include injection-site reactions and fluid retention consistent with GH pathway stimulation. The prescribing information for Egrifta SV is the authoritative source for the full adverse event profile for the FDA-approved indication.
Who should not take Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is contraindicated in people with active malignancy (based on theoretical IGF-1-mediated cell growth promotion) and in those with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (e.g., hypophysectomy, pituitary tumor, or cranial irradiation). It is also prohibited in competitive sport by WADA.
Is Tesamorelin prohibited in sport?
Yes. Tesamorelin, as a GHRH analog, is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should not use tesamorelin without an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption.
How does Tesamorelin differ from Sermorelin?
Both tesamorelin and sermorelin are synthetic GHRH analogs that stimulate pituitary growth hormone secretion subcutaneously. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for visceral fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Sermorelin's approved use is diagnostic assessment of growth hormone deficiency in children. Tesamorelin has a substantially larger controlled clinical evidence base for its approved indication.
How does Tesamorelin differ from CJC-1295?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved and has established clinical trial evidence for its approved indication. CJC-1295 is a research compound with no approved clinical use. Both are GHRH analogs, but their evidence bases and regulatory statuses differ substantially.

References

  1. [1]

    Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Badran Ahmed Samy, Helal Abdulrhman, Shata Karim Samir et al.

    Obesity research & clinical practice · 2026 · PMID 41545261

    View on PubMed →
  2. [2]

    Population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients and healthy subjects.

    González-Sales Mario, Barrière Olivier, Tremblay Pierre Olivier et al.

    Journal of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics · 2015 · PMID 25895899

    View on PubMed →
  3. [3]

    Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors.

    Russo Samuel C, Ockene Mollie W, Arpante Allison K et al.

    AIDS (London, England) · 2024 · PMID 38905488

    View on PubMed →
  4. [4]

    Effects of tesamorelin on hepatic transcriptomic signatures in HIV-associated NAFLD.

    Fourman Lindsay T, Billingsley James M, Agyapong George et al.

    JCI insight · 2020 · PMID 32701508

    View on PubMed →
  5. [5]

    Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in people with HIV.

    Gattu Arijeet K, Fourman Lindsay T

    Current opinion in HIV and AIDS · 2025 · PMID 40397552

    View on PubMed →
  6. [6]

    Safety and metabolic effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

    Clemmons David R, Miller Sam, Mamputu Jean-Claude

    PloS one · 2017 · PMID 28617838

    View on PubMed →
  7. [7]

    Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity.

    Ellis Ronald J, Vaida Florin, Hu Keren et al.

    The Journal of infectious diseases · 2025 · PMID 39813152

    View on PubMed →
  8. [8]

    Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial.

    Baker Laura D, Barsness Suzanne M, Borson Soo et al.

    Archives of neurology · 2012 · PMID 22869065

    View on PubMed →
  9. [9]

    Analysis of growth hormone releasing hormone and its analogs in urine using nano liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry.

    Uçaktürk Ebru, Nemutlu Emirhan

    Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2026 · PMID 41138283

    View on PubMed →
  10. [10]

    Cationic exchange SPE combined with triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS/MS for detection of GHRHs in urine samples.

    Cristea Cătălina-Diana, Radu Mihai, Toboc Ani et al.

    Analytical biochemistry · 2023 · PMID 37806509

    View on PubMed →
  11. [11]

    An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS.

    Coppieters Gilles, Deventer Koen, Polet Michaël et al.

    Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2022 · PMID 35298973

    View on PubMed →
  12. [12]

    Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in obese subjects with reduced growth hormone secretion: a randomized controlled trial.

    Makimura Hideo, Feldpausch Meghan N, Rope Alison M et al.

    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2012 · PMID 23015655

    View on PubMed →
  13. [13]

    The effects of tesamorelin on phosphocreatine recovery in obese subjects with reduced GH.

    Makimura Hideo, Murphy Caitlin A, Feldpausch Meghan N et al.

    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2014 · PMID 24178787

    View on PubMed →
  14. [14]

    Effect of tesamorelin in people with HIV with and without dorsocervical fat: Post hoc analysis of phase III double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

    Rahman Farah, McLaughlin Taryn, Mesquita Pedro et al.

    Journal of clinical and translational science · 2023 · PMID 36845310

    View on PubMed →
  15. [15]

    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Attributed to Medication Use: A Pharmacovigilance Study.

    Mihalache Andrew, Volfson Emily, Huang Ryan et al.

    Cureus · 2025 · PMID 40510111

    View on PubMed →
  16. [16]

    Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV.

    Falutz Julian, Allas Soraya, Blot Koenraad et al.

    The New England journal of medicine · 2007 · PMID 18057338

    View on PubMed →
  17. [17]

    Relationship of adiponectin to endogenous GH pulse secretion parameters in response to stimulation with a growth hormone releasing factor.

    Makimura H, Stanley T L, Chen C Y et al.

    Growth hormone & IGF research · 2011 · PMID 21531600

    View on PubMed →
  18. [18]

    Fibroblast growth factor 21 decreases after liver fat reduction via growth hormone augmentation.

    Braun Laurie R, Feldpausch Meghan N, Czerwonka Natalia et al.

    Growth hormone & IGF research · 2017 · PMID 29031905

    View on PubMed →
  19. [?]

    Effects of a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog on endogenous GH pulsatility and insulin sensitivity in healthy men.

    Stanley Takara L, Chen Cindy Y, Branch Karen L et al.

    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2011 · PMID 20943777

    View on PubMed →

Compare Tesamorelin with…

Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin

Sermorelin · Tesamorelin

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