An FDA-approved GHRH analog specifically indicated for HIV-associated lipodystrophy and visceral fat reduction.
Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is a synthetic analog of the full 44-amino acid GHRH, stabilized by the addition of a trans-3-hexenoic acid group that protects it from dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) degradation and extends its activity. It was FDA-approved in 2010 for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy — a condition characterized by excess visceral fat accumulation caused by antiretroviral therapy. Tesamorelin is more potent than sermorelin due to its full-length GHRH sequence and enhanced stability. The LIPO-010 trial demonstrated a 15.2% reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) compared to placebo over 26 weeks. Beyond its approved indication, tesamorelin is increasingly used off-label for general body composition optimization, anti-aging, and cognitive enhancement (emerging data suggests GH optimization may improve cognitive function in aging populations).
* Benefits based on preclinical/animal research unless otherwise noted.
Tesamorelin binds to GHRH receptors (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotroph cells with high affinity, activating the Gs-cAMP-PKA pathway to stimulate GH gene transcription and pulsatile GH secretion. The trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus protects the peptide from DPP-IV cleavage at the His-Ala bond, extending its half-life to approximately 26 minutes (compared to ~7 minutes for native GHRH). Elevated GH then stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, and both GH and IGF-1 promote lipolysis in visceral adipose tissue through hormone-sensitive lipase activation and adipocyte triglyceride lipase upregulation. GH also has direct anti-lipogenic effects in visceral fat through GH receptor signaling that is independent of IGF-1. The selective reduction of visceral (rather than subcutaneous) fat by tesamorelin reflects the higher GH receptor density and lipolytic sensitivity of visceral adipocytes compared to subcutaneous adipocytes.
Protocol Notes: Administer in the morning or before bed on empty stomach. Research dose is typically 2 mg daily. Often combined with Ipamorelin for enhanced GH pulsatility.
Add 2.2 mL sterile water to 2 mg vial → ~1 mg/mL. Use immediately after reconstitution.
When sourcing Tesamorelin for research purposes, the following quality benchmarks should be verified before use.
Lyophilized: refrigerate. Reconstituted: use immediately.
The statements made within this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The products and information provided are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is intended for educational and research purposes only. Many peptides described on this site are not approved by the FDA for human therapeutic use and are classified as research chemicals. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice.
Strong Evidence — Multiple randomized controlled trials with high confidence in efficacy and safety data.
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