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Peptide Profile

Tesamorelin

Egrifta · TH9507

Tesamorelin (GHRH(1-44)-trans-3-hexenoic acid; Egrifta) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone conjugated with a trans-3-hexenoic acid moiety to confer resistance to DPP-IV enzymatic…

GH / IGF AxisFDA ApprovedPrescription
Used forfat loss
Half-life
26–38 minutes
Routes
subcutaneous
Find providers View evidence

Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Overview

What Tesamorelin is

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.

Tesamorelin (GHRH(1-44)-trans-3-hexenoic acid; Egrifta) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone conjugated with a trans-3-hexenoic acid moiety to confer resistance to DPP-IV enzymatic degradation and extend its plasma stability, developed and approved as the first GHRH analog indicated for a metabolic complication of HIV antiretroviral therapy — specifically visceral adiposity from HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Tesamorelin activates GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate pulsatile GH secretion and downstream hepatic IGF-1 production; the resulting normalization of GH pulse amplitude in treated patients reduces visceral adipose tissue through lipolytic signaling in visceral fat depots, without the risk of direct supraphysiological GH administration. A pivotal Phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy demonstrated significant and sustained reductions in visceral adipose tissue area by MRI imaging versus placebo, with a favorable safety profile in this immunocompromised population, providing the pivotal evidence for FDA approval in 2010. Tesamorelin (Egrifta, Theratechnologies) is FDA-approved and requires a prescription; it is indicated specifically for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy and is not approved for general fat loss, body composition improvement, anti-aging, or GH deficiency applications outside the HIV-lipodystrophy indication. Tesamorelin dosage and where to get it: Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is administered as a once-daily subcutaneous injection of 2mg in its FDA-approved indication for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; this is the only dose and indication with established clinical evidence. In off-label research contexts examining body composition and GH axis support in non-HIV populations, tesamorelin has been studied at similar dose ranges, though no approved protocol exists for these applications. Where to find tesamorelin: as an FDA-approved prescription medication, tesamorelin is available through licensed pharmacies in the United States with a valid prescription. Compounding pharmacies may also prepare tesamorelin for off-label clinical use under physician supervision. Telehealth providers specializing in peptide therapy and hormone health sometimes offer tesamorelin consultations for eligible patients. PeptideBase maintains a directory of providers — including telehealth platforms — for those researching access to tesamorelin through supervised clinical channels.

Women's Health

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved only for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; body-composition and cognition RCTs have included women but were not conducted for, or evaluated in, any menopause or reproductive indication. Prescribing information contraindicates use in pregnancy; there is no human lactation safety data.

Tesamorelin Benefits & 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

Research Signals

Commonly researched in the context of

Calorie DeficitSedentary

Population research notes

40s50+

These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.

Pharmacokinetics

Tesamorelin half-life calculator

Compound & timing

Half-lifefrom PeptideBase data
Source: "26–38 minutes" · Tesamorelin (PeptideBase)
to show amount remaining
38 min
0%25%50%75%100%04079119158198time since dose (min)
Plasma decay curve for Tesamorelin: 36% to 50% remaining at 38 min after the dose.
range (26–38 minutes)slower half-life
36%–50%remaining in plasmaat 38 min after the dose
Half-life
26 – 38 min
~97% cleared after
3.2 h

Model: single-dose, first-order (single-compartment) estimate. Real clearance is multi-compartment and varies by individual and route.

The Research

What the evidence says about Tesamorelin

Research Evidence

based on 7 studies · 3 RCTs · most recent 2026

Regulatory Status

Availability Status
Prescription
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Effective Date
November 10, 2010
Source
View FDA source →

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

Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.

Research Sources

7 sources cited · 3 strong · 1 moderate · 3 weak

3 RCTs · 1 Case series · 2 Reviews · 1 Animal

  • Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone (tesamorelin) on cognitive function in adults with MCI and healthy older adults: a controlled trial

    Arch Neurol · 2012

    RCT of tesamorelin cognitive effects; mixed-sex cohort, not menopause-specific.

    RCTn=152StrongPMID 22869065

  • Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials

    Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes · 2010

    A pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials found that tesamorelin reduced visceral adipose tissue by 10.9% compared with a 0.6% increase in placebo-treated HIV patients with lipodystrophy over 26 weeks, with significant improvements in trunk-to-limb fat ratio and patient-reported body image outcomes.

    RCTn=404StrongPMID 20101189

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

    J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2010

    Pooled Phase 3 RCT data supporting FDA approval for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; includes female participants but not a women's-health-specific endpoint.

    RCTn=806StrongPMID 20554713
Show 4 more sources ↓

  • Differing Presentations of Excess Visceral Abdominal Fat in People Living With HIV: Two Clinical Cases Highlighting Distinct Therapeutic Pathways With Tesamorelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists.

    Clin Infect Dis · 2026

    # Summary Research found that excess visceral abdominal fat in people living with HIV presents heterogeneously and may respond differentially to targeted therapies—tesamorelin selectively reduced visceral fat in a nonobese patient with central adiposity, while a combination approach proved more effective in an obese patient with persistent abdominal fat despite GLP-1 receptor agonist use. This study demonstrated that individualized management strategies informed by fat distribution patterns, rather than weight-based assessments alone, may better address this metabolic complication in HIV-positive individuals.

    Case seriesModeratePMID 42139091

  • Combined antiretroviral therapy with low- or normal-protein, high-calorie diets appears to induce significant deleterious electrocardiographic changes in a rodent model.

    Braz J Med Biol Res · 2026

    # Research Summary This study demonstrated that in a rodent model, combination antiretroviral therapy regimens paired with calorie-dense, low- or normal-protein diets induced significant electrocardiographic abnormalities and myocardial fibrosis. Research found that tesamorelin co-administration prevented these cardiac effects, suggesting that growth hormone pathway dysfunction may contribute to the cardiovascular complications observed with certain antiretroviral and dietary combinations.

    AnimalWeakPMID 42018810

  • Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives.

    Int J Mol Sci · 2026

    # Summary This research found that therapeutic peptides show promise as treatment options for metabolic and endocrine conditions, including type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as applications in skin rejuvenation and hormone replacement therapies. The study demonstrated that while several peptide drugs have undergone rigorous safety and efficacy evaluation, many novel peptides lack sufficient research to ensure their safe use in human populations.

    ReviewTheoreticalPMID 42123471

  • Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications.

    JBJS Rev · 2026

    # Summary Research found that tesamorelin, a growth hormone axis secretagogue, remains investigational for musculoskeletal applications with uncertain safety profiles and product quality concerns. This study demonstrated that among injectable peptides reviewed for sports medicine use, tesamorelin and similar growth hormone secretagogues lack sufficient clinical evidence and face widespread antidoping restrictions, distinguishing them from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which showed reproducible evidence in knee osteoarthritis treatment.

    ReviewTheoreticalPMID 42160466

Tesamorelin Side Effects & Safety Considerations

Contraindications below are derived from the compound’s FDA label. Educational only — not medical advice.

Absolute contraindications

Situations where this compound should not be used. Educational only — not medical advice.

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

Common monitoring markers in research protocols

Under clinical review

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

Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.

Compare

VS

Tesamorelin

Third-party testing data

14 verified COAs

Median tested purity

99.5%

Median tested purity of 99.5% across 14 verified third-party lab COAs (interquartile range 99.3%–99.7%), as reported by the independent testing labs below. PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product.

Independent labs
Freedom Diagnostics, Janoshik Analytical, TrustPointe Analytics LLC
Most recent test
July 2026

PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Certificates of Analysis

Cross-vendor verified48 COAs on record for Tesamorelin

PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Confirmed by lab results were matched against the issuing laboratory's own records — either the lab served the document, or its own hosted copy matches ours byte for byte. For every other result the badge states what is known about the lab: that it can be checked and no result is recorded yet, that it can't be checked, or that we have not reviewed it.

PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.

Community Experience

What people report about Tesamorelin

n=99high confidence

Self-reported, anecdotal experiences aggregated from public Reddit discussions — community sentiment, not clinical evidence or medical advice.

Attribution note: many of these reports describe stacking Tesamorelin with other compounds, so outcomes may not be attributable to it alone.

Outcome distribution

52%improved
Improved
51 · 52%
Mixed
20 · 20%
No clear effect
15 · 15%
Worse
13 · 13%

Outcomes by goal · improved % · reports

Visceral fat loss47% improved · 38 reports
Body composition66% improved · 32 reports
Recovery & wellbeing56% improved · 18 reports
Sleep quality33% improved · 6 reports

Side effects people mention

Counts are mentions across reports, not incidence rates.

Numbness tingling13
Fatigue12
Injection site reaction12
Water retention12
Decreased appetite6
Vivid dreams5
Joint pain4
Mood changes4
Nausea3
Diarrhea2

Most reported

What they wish they'd known

  • Early fatigue and sleep disruption often faded with time or timing adjustments, not permanent problems12×thread 1thread 2thread 3
  • Nerve tingling and numbness can persist well beyond stopping and are easy to misattribute to other causes10×thread 1thread 2thread 3
  • Serious allergic reactions, including near-anaphylaxis, can occur even after prior uneventful use5×thread 1thread 2thread 3
  • Visible fat changes take considerably longer to appear than many users initially expect11×thread 1thread 2thread 3
  • IGF-1 levels can rise substantially and tracking bloodwork matters for catching overreach early9×thread 1thread 2thread 3

Based on 99 community reports · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions — Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin (GHRH(1-44)-trans-3-hexenoic acid; Egrifta) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of endogenous growth hormone-releasing hormone conjugated with a trans-3-hexenoic acid moiety to confer resistance to DPP-IV enzymatic degradation and extend its plasma stability, developed and approved as the first GHRH analog indicated for a metabolic complication of HIV antiretroviral therapy — specifically visceral adiposity from HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Tesamorelin activates GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate pulsatile GH secretion and downstream hepatic IGF-1 production; the resulting normalization of GH pulse amplitude in treated patients reduces visceral adipose tissue through lipolytic signaling in visceral fat depots, without the risk of direct supraphysiological GH administration.

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 peptide, 2 mg/day subcutaneous injection — structured monthly dosing in approved indication, IGF-1 elevation monitoring relevant — considered in metabolic syndrome and diabetes contexts.

Research on Tesamorelin primarily documents effects related to FDA-approved GHRH analog for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Egrifta / Egrifta SV) and visceral fat reduction via GH/IGF-1 axis — strongest clinical evidence of any fat-targeted peptide and 2 mg/day subcutaneous injection — structured monthly dosing in approved indication and IGF-1 elevation monitoring relevant — considered in metabolic syndrome and diabetes contexts. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.

Reported contraindications and considerations for Tesamorelin include 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), Pregnancy. 5 additional considerations are noted in the safety profile above. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

For Tesamorelin, its FDA status is FDA-approved, and it is available by prescription. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.

194 providers in the directory currently offer Tesamorelin.

Across 48 research vendors tracked on PeptideBase, Tesamorelin has a median price of about $7.78 per mg, typically ranging $6.68–$9.99 per mg. This reflects research-use vendor pricing, not clinical or prescription costs.

RCT of tesamorelin cognitive effects; mixed-sex cohort, not menopause-specific.

Tesamorelin is featured in the following research stacks on PeptideBase: Semaglutide + Tesamorelin: Targeted Fat Loss.

Access

How to get Tesamorelin

Market Pricing

48 vendors
$6.68/mgBudget
$7.78/mgMedian
$9.99/mgPremium
$6.68
$7.78
$9.99

Price per mg varies by quantity, vendor type, and formulation. Research use only.

Data verified August 2026 · Tesamorelin price intelligence

Compare 48 vendors →
Compare all 48 vendors →

Where to buy Tesamorelin

194 providers
●136 Clinics●10 Telehealth●3 Pharmacies●42 Online Vendors●3 Physicians243 in stock2 on request
View all 194 providers →

Research stacks

Browse all →

Commonly stacked with

Semaglutide

Questions to ask your provider

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Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

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

PeptideBase. (2026). Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Benchmark. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/tesamorelin
https://peptidebase.io/peptides/tesamorelinMethodologyLicenseDownload JSONDownload CSV

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