What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin — sold under the brand name Egrifta — is a synthetic peptide that mimics a hormone your body already makes: growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). In plain terms, it nudges your pituitary gland (a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain) to release more growth hormone.[3] It is one of the few research peptides that has actually cleared the full regulatory approval process, making it a useful benchmark when comparing it to the many unapproved compounds in this space.[5]
On this site, Tesamorelin is catalogued under the Growth Hormone category. Its one-line research summary: a growth hormone–releasing hormone analog studied primarily for visceral fat reduction.
How Tesamorelin Works
Think of your pituitary gland as a factory that makes growth hormone. Normally, a signal molecule called GHRH arrives and tells the factory to start production. Tesamorelin is a lab-built copy of that signal — it docks onto the same receptors and sends the same "start production" message.[2]
More growth hormone in the bloodstream then triggers a cascade of metabolic effects. One of the most studied is lipolysis — the breakdown of stored fat, particularly the deep belly fat called visceral adipose tissue (VAT).[2] Researchers also group Tesamorelin alongside other growth hormone secretagogues (compounds that stimulate GH release) such as ipamorelin and sermorelin, noting that these peptides activate IGF-1 signaling pathways involved in tissue metabolism.[4]
What the Research Shows
The bulk of clinical evidence for Tesamorelin centers on HIV-associated lipodystrophy — a condition where people living with HIV, especially those on older antiretroviral drugs (particularly protease inhibitors), develop excess visceral fat around the abdomen.[2] This fat accumulation affects body image and quality of life, and it is poorly addressed by diet and exercise alone.[1]
Canadian health technology reviewers evaluated trials measuring VAT by CT scan. A "complete response" was defined as a reduction in VAT of 8% or more. Patients who achieved that threshold were found to have lower risks of lipodystrophy-related complications and better adherence to their HIV medications.[1] The same review confirmed the standard research dose: 2 mg injected under the skin once daily.[1]
On the safety side, the NIH's LiverTox database notes that Tesamorelin does affect glucose and lipid metabolism — important considerations in any research context — but has not been linked to liver enzyme elevations or clinically apparent liver injury during therapy.[3]
Researchers in sports medicine and orthopaedics have reviewed Tesamorelin as part of broader peptide surveys. One 2026 review in Sports Medicine highlighted it as a fully approved peptide with a clear safety and efficacy record, contrasting it with many unapproved "gray market" compounds that lack comparable human data.[5] A separate 2026 review in the American Journal of Sports Medicine confirmed that, outside its approved indication, Tesamorelin currently has no supporting evidence for orthopaedic or musculoskeletal applications.[6]
What Tesamorelin Is Being Studied For
- HIV-associated lipodystrophy (visceral fat reduction) — the primary and approved research application, targeting excess VAT confirmed by CT scan.[1][2]
- Metabolic effects on glucose and lipid pathways — Tesamorelin's influence on these systems is documented, though researchers note the need for monitoring.[3]
- Growth hormone secretagogue comparisons — scientists studying GH-related peptides use Tesamorelin as a reference compound alongside ipamorelin, sermorelin, and CJC-1295 when exploring IGF-1 signaling and tissue metabolism.[4]
How Tesamorelin Is Dosed in Research
In the clinical trials that led to regulatory approval, researchers used a single daily subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection for periods ranging from 26 to 52 weeks. The specific dose and schedule used in those trials are captured in the dosage chart on this page. If you want to explore weight-based or protocol-based calculations, use the calculator also available on this page. All dosing information here is provided strictly for educational and research reference — this is not medical advice, and Tesamorelin is not approved for general use outside its specific indication.
Mixing and Storing Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is supplied as a lyophilized powder — a freeze-dried solid — that must be reconstituted (mixed back into liquid) before injection. In clinical use, each vial is mixed with sterile water for injection. The approved product comes as two 1 mg vials combined to reach the 2 mg dose.[1] Once reconstituted, the solution should be used promptly and not shaken vigorously, as peptides can degrade with rough handling. Unreconstituted vials should be kept refrigerated and protected from light; always follow the storage instructions provided with the specific product being used in research. Discard any reconstituted solution that appears cloudy or contains visible particles.
Sources
- — , 2016. PMID 30896905.
- — , 2016. PMID 30920787.
- Tesamorelin. — , 2012. PMID 31644039.
- Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. — Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews, 2026. PMID 41490200.
- Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. — Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026. PMID 41966639.
- Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians. — The American journal of sports medicine, 2026. PMID 41476424.
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