What is the difference between Sermorelin and Tesamorelin?

Sermorelin: Sermorelin is a synthetic analogue of the first 29 amino acids of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding GHRH receptors.

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 Sermorelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Sermorelin 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›Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin

Peptide Comparison

Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin

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

Both are GH / IGF Axis peptides.

Sermorelin

GHRH 1-29

PerformanceUnder clinical reviewPrescription

Half-life: 10–20 minutes

449 providers listed

Full Sermorelin profile →

Tesamorelin

Egrifta

Fat LossFDA ApprovedPrescription

Half-life: 26–38 minutes

245 providers listed

Full Tesamorelin profile →

Bottom line

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved, while Sermorelin is not evaluated — the clearest structural difference between them.

Quick Verdict

Sermorelin

Half-life

10–20 minutes

Tesamorelin

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)	Tesamorelin
More provider options (449 vs 245)	Sermorelin

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

Side-by-Side Comparison

Sermorelin

Tesamorelin

Mechanism Family

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

10–20 minutes

26–38 minutes

FDA Status

Under clinical review

approved

Admin Routes

subcutaneous

Availability

Prescription

Providers

449 listed

245 listed

FDA Update

Under clinical review

Nov 2010

Avail. Notes

Previously FDA-approved for pediatric GH deficiency (Geref); approval withdrawn 2008. Its bulk substance appears on the FDA 503B outsourcing-facility list (Category 1) but not the 503A pharmacy bulk-substances list; compounded-product availability historically rested on the former approved-drug status.

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

Sermorelin

RCT · 3 key studies · most recent 2026

Tesamorelin

RCT · 7 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

Sermorelin

RCT2000 · European Journal of Endocrinology

The GH response to low-dose bolus growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH(1-29)NH2) is attenuated in patients…

RCT1999 · Clinical Endocrinology

The relative roles of continuous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH(1-29)NH2) and intermittent somatostat…

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…

Tesamorelin

RCT2012 · Arch Neurol

Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone (tesamorelin) on cognitive function in adults with MCI and health…

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

Case series2026 · Clin Infect Dis

Differing Presentations of Excess Visceral Abdominal Fat in People Living With HIV: Two Clinical Cases Highli…

+3 more

About Sermorelin

Sermorelin is a synthetic analogue of the first 29 amino acids of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile GH secretion in a physiological pattern that preserves the natural hypothalamic-pituitary feedback axis — contrasting with direct GH administration. Downstream IGF-1 elevation mediates many of its body composition, tissue-repair, and sleep quality effects.

Research Areas

pulsatile GH release via direct GHRH receptor agonism at the pituitaryendogenous GH axis restoration — preserves natural pulse patterns unlike exogenous GHlean mass, sleep quality, and metabolic improvements in anti-aging clinical researchsubcutaneous injection — widely available through telehealth anti-aging providers

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.

Sermorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Under clinical review

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

Suggested Monitoring

IGF-1Fasting glucoseHbA1cInsulin

Sermorelin clinical protocols measure IGF-1 as the primary marker of GH axis response. Fasting glucose and insulin are standard baseline assessments given GH's effect on insulin sensitivity.

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?

Sermorelin

Ipamorelin
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)

Sermorelin

$8.00/mg

$6.15 – $9.54 range

43 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Tesamorelin

$7.78/mg

$6.68 – $9.99 range

48 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Sermorelin

449 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Tesamorelin

245 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 August 26, 2026

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

PeptideBase. (2026). Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/sermorelin/tesamorelin

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