What is the difference between Ipamorelin and Tesamorelin?

Ipamorelin: Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates dose-dependent GH release with a clean hormonal profile. Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding GHRH receptors.

Is Ipamorelin FDA approved?

Ipamorelin is not FDA approved and restricted from compounding. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?

Tesamorelin is FDA approved (FDA status current as of 2010-11-10). This regulatory status is provided for research and educational context only.

How is Ipamorelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Ipamorelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Tesamorelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Tesamorelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin

Peptide Comparison

Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin

Name: Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.

Ipamorelin

NNC 26-0161

PerformanceBanned from CompoundingResearch Only

Half-life: 2 hours

470 providers listed

Full Ipamorelin profile →

Tesamorelin

Egrifta

Fat LossFDA ApprovedPrescription

Half-life: 26–38 minutes

242 providers listed

Full Tesamorelin profile →

Bottom line

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved, while Ipamorelin is banned from compounding — the clearest structural difference between them.

Quick Verdict

Ipamorelin

Evidence

Emerging Clinical

Half-life

2 hours

Tesamorelin

Evidence

Established Clinical

Half-life

26–38 minutes

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Stronger clinical evidence	Tesamorelin
Further along in FDA review	Tesamorelin
Less frequent dosing (longer half-life)	Ipamorelin
Lower typical price per mg	Ipamorelin
More provider options (470 vs 242)	Ipamorelin

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Ipamorelin

Tesamorelin

Mechanism Family

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

2 hours

26–38 minutes

FDA Status

banned from compounding

approved

Admin Routes

subcutaneous

Availability

Research Only

Prescription

Providers

470 listed

242 listed

FDA Update

Sep 2023

Nov 2010

Avail. Notes

Selective GH secretagogue pentapeptide. Phase 2 by Helsinn (postoperative ileus) discontinued for lack of efficacy. No FDA approval. Not on FDA 503A bulks list. Research chemical.

FDA-approved GHRH analog. Brand: Egrifta SV (NDA 022505, Nov 2010). Indicated for excess abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy. Prescription only. Daily subcutaneous injection.

Research Evidence

Ipamorelin

Emerging ClinicalRCT · 5 key studies · most recent 2026

Tesamorelin

Established ClinicalRCT · 7 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

Ipamorelin

Review2026 · J Sports Med Phys Fitness

A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodyb…

Review2026 · Int J Mol Sci

Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications…

Review2026 · JBJS Rev

Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Imp…

RCT2014 · International Journal of Colorectal Disease

Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the managem…

+1 more

Tesamorelin

RCT2010 · Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in HIV-infected patients with exce…

RCT2010 · J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: pooled analysis of two phase 3 RCTs

Review2026 · Int J Mol Sci

Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications…

Cohort2026 · Braz J Med Biol Res

Combined antiretroviral therapy with low- or normal-protein, high-calorie diets appears to induce significant…

+3 more

About Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin binds to the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) and stimulates dose-dependent GH release with a clean hormonal profile. Unlike GHRP-6 or hexarelin, it does not significantly stimulate appetite-related pathways or cortisol secretion at standard research doses. This selectivity makes it a frequently studied peptide for protocols where hormonal side-effect profiles are a consideration.

Research Areas

selective GH release without cortisol or prolactin co-stimulationpulsatile GH secretion — synergistic with CJC-1295 in combination protocolslean mass support and fat metabolism via GH/IGF-1 axis modulationsubcutaneous injection 100–300 mcg; minimal receptor desensitization vs other GHRPs

About Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding GHRH receptors. Its stabilisation protects it from rapid enzymatic cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase IV, extending the effective half-life compared to unmodified GHRH. Downstream effects on visceral adiposity are mediated through elevated IGF-1 and direct lipolytic signalling.

Research Areas

FDA-approved GHRH analog for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Egrifta / Egrifta SV)visceral fat reduction via GH/IGF-1 axis — strongest clinical evidence of any fat-targeted peptide2 mg/day subcutaneous injection — structured monthly dosing in approved indicationIGF-1 elevation monitoring relevant — considered in metabolic syndrome and diabetes contexts

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Ipamorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.

Suggested Monitoring

IGF-1Fasting glucoseHbA1cInsulin

Research protocols routinely measure IGF-1 to track GH axis activity before and during use. Fasting glucose and insulin are monitored because GH elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity over time.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source

Tesamorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (hypophysectomy, hypopituitarism, pituitary tumor/surgery, head irradiation, or head trauma)Active malignancy (any prior cancer must be inactive and treatment complete)PregnancyKnown hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol

Warnings & Cautions

Elevated IGF-1Glucose intolerance / new or worsening diabetesFluid retentionNot for use in children with open epiphyses

Source: FDA label

Suggested Monitoring

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display monitoring guidance for this peptide.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source

Used Together?

Ipamorelin

CJC-1295
Research suggests Ipamorelin and CJC-1295 may produce enhanced growth hormone release effects when combined. CJC-1295 provides sustained GHRH receptor stimulation while Ipamorelin provides pulsatile ghrelin receptor stimulation — complementary pathways studied in GH secretion research.
Mod GRF 1-29
Research suggests Ipamorelin and Mod GRF 1-29 may produce enhanced growth hormone pulse effects when combined. Ipamorelin acts via ghrelin receptors (GHSR) while Mod GRF 1-29 acts via GHRH receptors — distinct pathways that research suggests may amplify GH secretion when activated together.
Sermorelin
Research suggests Sermorelin and Ipamorelin may produce complementary growth hormone release effects when combined. Sermorelin acts as a GHRH analogue via pituitary receptors, while Ipamorelin acts via ghrelin receptors — dual-pathway stimulation studied in GH optimization research.

Price (per mg)

Ipamorelin

$7.00/mg

$5.00 – $9.60 range

69 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Tesamorelin

$8.93/mg

$7.00 – $11.90 range

57 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Ipamorelin

470 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Tesamorelin

242 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More GH / IGF Axis Comparisons

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Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated July 20, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/ipamorelin/tesamorelin

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