Tesamorelin
Egrifta · TH9507
The one FDA-approved GHRH analogue — proven to reduce visceral fat in clinical trials.
Class
Growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue
Half-life
~26–38 minutes
Evidence
Randomized human trials
Randomized human trials
Supported by randomized controlled trials in humans. Several compounds at this level are FDA-approved for specific indications.
Overview
Tesamorelin is a stabilised GHRH analogue and the only compound in the GH-secretagogue family with FDA approval — specifically for reducing excess visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That approval means it has real randomized human data behind it, unlike the research-only secretagogues.
In pivotal trials it reduced visceral adipose tissue by roughly 15–18% over 26 weeks without the subcutaneous fat loss that would look like wasting. It has also drawn research interest for reducing liver fat in NAFLD and for cognitive effects in older adults, where a controlled trial showed modest improvement in executive function.
It works the same way as CJC-1295 — amplifying GH pulse amplitude — but comes with genuine trial evidence for a specific outcome (visceral fat) that the research-only GHRH analogues can only claim anecdotally.
How it works
- Binds pituitary GHRH receptors, increasing GH pulse amplitude and downstream IGF-1.
- Elevated GH preferentially mobilises visceral adipose tissue via lipolysis.
- Preserves pulsatile secretion and pituitary feedback.
- Reduces hepatic fat in parallel with visceral fat in NAFLD studies.
What the research shows
Researched effects
- 15–18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue at 26 weeks (pivotal HIV-lipodystrophy trials)
- Reduced hepatic fat fraction in NAFLD cohorts
- Modest improvement in executive function in a controlled trial of older adults
- Improved lipid profile (reduced triglycerides)
Limitations & what it won't do
- Approved indication is narrow (HIV lipodystrophy); other uses are off-label.
- Visceral fat regains after discontinuation.
- Raises IGF-1 with the same glucose and tumour cautions as the class.
- Daily injection required.
Dosing protocols
These ranges reflect published trials and community protocols. They are reference information, not a prescription. Doses are per injection unless noted.
FDA-approved dose (Egrifta)
2 mgThe approved dose is a flat 2 mg daily. This is one of the few peptides here with a label-defined dose.
Reconstitution & measuring your dose
Handling
- Typical vial sizes
- 10 · 20 mg
- Suggested BAC water
- 2 mL
- Storage
- Lyophilised powder refrigerated at 2–8 °C, protected from light.
- After reconstitution
- Reconstituted: use promptly; the branded product is reconstituted immediately before each dose. Research vials ~14–28 days refrigerated.
Why 2 mL? HTX carries tesamorelin as 10 mg and 20 mg vials. A 10 mg vial in 2 mL yields 5 mg/mL — a 2 mg dose lands on 40 units of a U-100 syringe.
Dose calculator
Draw to
20units
= 0.2 mL · 100 mcg per unit
Concentration
10000 mcg/mL
Doses per vial
10
Side effects
Common
- Injection-site reactions (most common in trials)
- Arthralgia / joint pain
- Fluid retention and peripheral edema
- Flushing
- Myalgia
Serious / rare
- Reduced glucose tolerance / new-onset hyperglycemia
- Fluid retention worsening heart failure
- Theoretical tumour stimulation via IGF-1
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Contraindications & interactions
Do not use if you have
- Active cancer or current oncology treatment
Contraindicated on the label during active malignancy — raises IGF-1.
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
Contraindicated in pregnancy per labelling.
Use caution if you have
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
Can reduce glucose tolerance; the label advises monitoring.
- Type 1 diabetes
Requires close glucose management.
- Cardiovascular disease
Fluid retention can worsen heart failure.
- Past cancer diagnosis (in remission)
IGF-1 elevation warrants oncology clearance.
- Carpal tunnel or nerve compression
Fluid retention aggravates nerve compression.
Medication interactions
- monitorInsulin — May increase insulin requirements as glucose tolerance falls.
- cautionGrowth hormone (rhGH) — Redundant and additive on IGF-1.
- monitorCorticosteroids — Blunts GH response and worsens glucose.
What to monitor
- Fasting glucose and HbA1c
- IGF-1 levels
- Weight and fluid status
- Lipid panel
Commonly combined with
References
- Falutz J et al. — Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV visceral adiposityNEJM 2007;357:2359-2370
- Stanley TL et al. — Tesamorelin and hepatic fat in HIV / NAFLDJAMA 2014;312:380-389
Research & educational information only — not medical advice.
You must be 18 or older to use this site. The peptides described are presented as research chemicals intended for research purposes only. Most are not approved by the FDA for human use. Dosing ranges reflect what has appeared in the scientific literature or community protocols and are not prescriptions. Nothing here replaces evaluation by a licensed physician who knows your full medical history.
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