Clinical2007
In a randomized, double-blind trial in HIV patients with lipodystrophy, tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue compared with placebo while preserving subcutaneous fat.
Visceral fat reduction
anecdotal
FDA Approved WADA Banned 18 views
Tesamorelin
GHRH analog FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
🛑 WADA BANNED - Prohibited in competitive sports as growth hormone releasing agent
Overview
Tesamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog consisting of 44 amino acids, FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for reducing excess abdominal visceral adipose tissue in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The peptide works by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce and secrete endogenous growth hormone in physiological pulsatile patterns. Clinical trials demonstrate significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) while preserving subcutaneous fat and lean body mass. Research indicates improvements in trunk fat, waist circumference, and metabolic parameters including triglycerides and cholesterol. Unlike exogenous growth hormone administration, tesamorelin maintains feedback regulation and produces more natural GH secretion patterns. The peptide requires daily subcutaneous injection. Beyond its approved indication, tesamorelin is researched for age-related body composition changes, cognitive function in aging, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is generally well-tolerated with injection site reactions being the most common adverse effect.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-18
Identity & Aliases
Also known as
Tesamorelin acetateEgriftaEgrifta SVTH9507
Status: FDA approved
CAS218949-48-5
PubChem44147413Full composition (formula, molecular weight, sequence) in Quick Facts →
Research Areas
HIV-associated lipodystrophy / visceral fatNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)Growth hormone-releasing hormone pharmacologyAging and cognition (investigational)
Available Evidence
Human
Tesamorelin is FDA approved (Egrifta, 2010) to reduce excess abdominal (visceral) fat in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. The pivotal randomized trial (NEJM 2007) showed significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue with preservation of subcutaneous fat; later randomized work found reduced hepatic fat in HIV-associated NAFLD.
Animal
Preclinical studies of GHRH analogs in animal models support the mechanism of endogenous GH stimulation and effects on fat distribution.
In Vitro
Cell-based pharmacology characterizes tesamorelin as a GHRH analog that activates the pituitary GHRH receptor to stimulate endogenous GH secretion.
Uncertain
Off-label uses — age-related body-composition changes, NAFLD in non-HIV patients, and cognitive effects in aging (e.g., in older adults with mild cognitive impairment) — remain investigational, with early-stage or mixed data.
Key Studies & Findings
Clinical2020
In HIV-associated NAFLD, analysis of liver biopsies from a randomized tesamorelin trial showed the drug shifted hepatic transcriptomic signatures, consistent with improvement of disease-related gene-expression programs.
Clinical2010
The FDA approved tesamorelin (Egrifta) in 2010 as the first treatment for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (excess abdominal fat).
Benefits & Effects
Visceral fat reduction: -34 cm² vs +8 cm² placebo (p=0.005)
clinicalbody composition
Hepatic fat reduction: -4.1% absolute reduction (p=0.018)
clinicalmetabolic
First FDA-approved treatment for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
clinicalregulatory
Side Effects & Safety
Injection site reactions
mildcommon
Arthralgia (joint pain)
mildcommon
Headache
mildcommon
Peripheral edema
mildcommon
Transient glucose elevation (9 mg/dL increase at 2 weeks)
moderatecommon
Mild side effect
mildVery common (25%) Reversible
Onset: Immediate
Management: Rotate sites
Mild-Moderate side effect
Common (>5%) Reversible
Onset: Days-weeks
Management: Analgesics
Dose-dependent
Mild-Moderate side effect
Common (4%) Reversible
Onset: Hours-days
Management: Discontinue if severe
Limitations & Open Questions
Approved only for HIV lipodystrophy; common adverse effects are injection-site reactions and joint pain, and IGF-1 levels rise with treatment. Off-label uses (aging, NASH, cognition) are investigational with limited or mixed trial data; long-term cardiovascular outcomes are not established.
Pharmacology
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid GHRH analog given by once-daily subcutaneous injection; it stimulates endogenous, pulsatile GH secretion from the pituitary (rather than supplying exogenous GH).
Reported Research Dosing
Reported values from research literature and community protocols. Educational reference only — not a dosing recommendation or medical advice.
2 mg Daily
Route: SC
Half-life: 8-37 minutes
Research Protocols
HIV Lipodystrophy (FDA Approved)
- Dose
- 1.4 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection (abdomen)
Visceral Fat Reduction
- Dose
- 2 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection (rotate sites)
Anti-aging/Body Composition
- Dose
- 1-2 mg daily
- Frequency
- 5-7 days/week
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection (evening)
NAFLD Treatment
- Dose
- 2 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection for 12 months
Cognitive Enhancement (Research)
- Dose
- 1 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection for 20 weeks
Research Protocol
- Dose
- 1-2 mg daily
- Frequency
- Daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous with cycle breaks
Research protocols are for educational purposes only. Always consult qualified medical professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tesamorelin approved for?
Reducing excess abdominal (visceral) fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy (brand name Egrifta, approved 2010).
Is tesamorelin the same as growth hormone?
No — it is a GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary to secrete the body's own growth hormone, unlike direct GH administration.
Is tesamorelin approved for weight loss in general?
No. Use for general weight loss, aging, or NASH outside the HIV indication is off-label and investigational.
Research Citations
2
Spotlight on tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Dhillon S (2011)
3
Tesamorelin.
Unknown (2012)
4
5
Tesamorelin, a human growth hormone releasing factor analogue.
Wang Y, Tomlinson B (2009)
+ 18 more citations
Related Resources
Quick Facts
Formula
C221H364N72O67S
Molecular Weight
5135.86
Sequence
MAADSQTPWLLTFSLLCLLWPQEAGAFPAMPLSSLFANAVLRAQHLHQLAADTYKEFERAYIPEGQRYSIQNAQAAFCFSETIPAPTGKEEAQQRTDMELLRFSLLLIQSWLGPVQFLSRIFTNSLMFGTSDRVYEKLKDLEEGIQALMQELEDGSPRIGQILKQTYDKFDANMRSDDALLKNYGLLSCFKKDLHKAETYLRVMKCRRFAESSCAF
Mechanism
GHRH analogue that reduces visceral fat
Safety Information
FDA approved with established safety profile for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Citations
232.Spotlight on tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Dhillon S (2011)
3.Tesamorelin.
Unknown (2012)
4.Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Dhillon S (2011)
5.Tesamorelin, a human growth hormone releasing factor analogue.
Wang Y, Tomlinson B (2009)
+ 18 more citations