For informational and research purposes only. Not medical advice. Content is aggregated from public sources. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Tesamorelin

Performance

Also known as: Egrifta, TH9507, GHRH analog

While tesamorelin (Egrifta) is FDA-approved for HIV lipodystrophy, use outside this indication is off-label. Research vials are not pharmaceutical grade. For informational purposes only.

Overview

Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is the only GHRH peptide with an approved clinical indication — reduction of excess visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Researchers also study it for body composition and cognitive effects.

Research Summary

Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH release from the pituitary, leading to downstream IGF-1 elevation. FDA-approved trials showed significant visceral fat reduction. Separate studies suggest potential cognitive benefits in older adults including improved executive function and verbal memory, possibly linked to IGF-1's neuroprotective effects.

Dosing Range

low

1mg

moderate

2mg

high

2mg

Units: mg · Frequency: once daily (evening)

Dosing ranges are aggregated from preclinical research and community protocols. Not medical dosing guidance.

Administration Routes

Subcutaneous injection

Reconstitution Notes

Reconstitute with 0.5mL of supplied sterile water. Do not use bacteriostatic water — Egrifta is formulated for single-use. Research vials: reconstitute with 1–2mL BAC water.
Step-by-step reconstitution guide →

Reported Side Effects

  • Injection site reactions (erythema, pruritus)
  • Peripheral edema
  • Arthralgia (joint pain)
  • Myalgia
  • Elevated glucose (monitor in pre-diabetics)

Research Papers

Tesamorelin and visceral adiposity in HIV (NEJM 2010)
New England Journal of Medicine2010
Cognitive effects of tesamorelin in older adults
JAMA Neurology2012

Community Experiences

Aggregated from public forums. Anecdotal — not clinical evidence.

r/Peptides

Community logs on tesamorelin for body composition and sleep quality.

View original thread

Overview

Tesamorelin is unique among GHRH peptides — it is the only one with an FDA-approved indication (Egrifta, approved 2010). This means more robust clinical data exists for tesamorelin than for any other growth hormone secretagogue.

Mechanism

As a GHRH analog, tesamorelin binds to pituitary GHRH receptors and stimulates pulsatile GH release. Unlike exogenous GH, this preserves the natural pulsatile pattern and feedback loops, with lower risk of pituitary desensitization.

Key Research Areas

  1. Visceral fat: Multiple Phase 3 trials confirmed significant VAT reduction in HIV+ patients
  2. Cognition: A 20-week RCT (Friedman et al., 2013) showed improved executive function in cognitively normal older adults
  3. Body composition: Lean mass preservation with visceral fat reduction

vs. CJC-1295

Tesamorelin has the advantage of real clinical data. CJC-1295 has a longer half-life but no equivalent clinical trial backing. Many researchers prefer tesamorelin for its validated mechanism and predictable dosing.

Want to calculate your dose? Use the dosing calculator →