Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin (Egrifta)
An FDA-approved GHRH analogue with strong clinical trial data for visceral fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as Egrifta for the treatment of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. This page discusses the compound in a research context. The approved form is prescription-only and should be used under physician supervision. Research-grade tesamorelin sold by compound vendors is not the same as the FDA-approved product and is not approved for human use in that form.
What it is
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of GHRH, modified with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group to increase stability. It received FDA approval in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta for treatment of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
It has more robust human clinical trial data than most peptides on this platform, given its FDA approval pathway, and is widely used off-label for visceral fat reduction and GH optimization.
What research shows
- Significant visceral adipose tissue (VAT) reduction in multiple randomized controlled trials
- Sustained IGF-1 elevation with once-daily dosing
- Improvements in triglycerides and lipid profiles in HIV lipodystrophy trials
- Cognitive function data — reduced amyloid accumulation in a small Alzheimer's trial
- Better tolerability than exogenous GH due to pituitary self-regulation
What remains unknown
- Long-term benefit beyond clinical trial windows in non-HIV populations
- Optimal dosing for healthy aging vs. lipodystrophy indications
- Sustainability of fat loss after discontinuation
Administration basics
Common use cases
Visceral fat reduction, GH optimization, healthy aging, body composition.
Half-life
~26 minutes, but once-daily dosing sustains IGF-1 elevation.
Administration
Subcutaneous injection once daily, typically in the abdomen.
Research Protocols & Common Usage
Doses used in research
- FDA-approved dose is 2mg subcutaneously once daily for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
- Clinical trials for visceral fat reduction used the same 2mg/day dose
Administration routes studied
Typical protocol duration
Clinical trials ran 26–52 weeks. The FDA indication supports ongoing use with monitoring.
Common stacking protocols
- Tesamorelin is generally studied and used as a standalone compound given its clinical indication
Contraindications & combinations to avoid
- Active malignancy — contraindicated per FDA label
- Pregnancy — contraindicated per FDA label
- Known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol
- Should not be combined with other GHRH analogues — redundant and potentially excessive GH stimulation
Dosing information reflects doses used in published research and commonly reported community protocols only. This is not a personal recommendation. These compounds are not FDA-approved for human use in the contexts described. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.
Considering stacking?
See the stacking guide for common combinations with Tesamorelin and what to avoid.
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Community Reviews
Reviews reflect individual user experiences with research compounds and are not medical advice. Results vary. These compounds are not FDA approved for human use. Peptelligent does not verify reported experiences.
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