Tesamorelin
Growth hormoneAlso known as: Egrifta, TH9507, Tesamorelin acetate
A growth hormone releasing hormone analog, approved as Egrifta to reduce belly fat in HIV, and used off label for body composition.
2.What it is / mechanism
Tesamorelin is a stabilized form of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). It signals the pituitary gland to release your own growth hormone in natural pulses, which in turn raises IGF-1. Unlike taking growth hormone directly, it works with the body's own feedback loop. It is approved by the FDA as Egrifta to reduce excess visceral belly fat in people with HIV associated lipodystrophy. Its blood is short, under an hour, but the growth hormone pulse it triggers is what carries the effect.s1
3.What the evidence supports
- Strong human dataReduces visceral (belly) fat in people with HIV associated lipodystrophy.s1
This is its approved use, backed by randomized human trials and FDA approval.
Supported by human data, including for fatty liver, though outside the approved use.
- Anecdotal onlyUsed off label for body composition, recovery, and anti aging.
Popular off label, but not studied or approved for these goals.
4.Dosing
| Route(s) | subcutaneous |
|---|---|
| Typical range | The approved dose is 2 mg once daily. Some off label schedules use 5 days on and 2 off. |
| Frequency | Once daily, often before bed to match the natural growth hormone rhythm |
| Cycle guidance | Used continuously in its approved use. Off label cycles vary. |
| Notes | The blood is short, under an hour, so tesamorelin itself does not build up. It works by triggering pulses of your own growth hormone. It is commonly combined with ipamorelin or CJC-1295 in growth hormone stacks. Note that stacking two GHRH type peptides, such as tesamorelin plus CJC-1295, largely overlaps, while adding ipamorelin works through a different receptor. |
5.Reconstitution
| Vial sizes | 5 mg, 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Diluent | Sterile or bacteriostatic water. The approved product (Egrifta) comes as a kit with its own mixing steps. |
| Concentration | Example: a 10 mg vial plus 2 mL of water gives 5 mg/mL, so a 2 mg dose is 0.4 mL, which is 40 units on a U-100 syringe. |
| Notes | The prescription product Egrifta comes as 1 mg or larger kits with its own instructions. Research vials are commonly 5 mg or 10 mg. |
Reconstitution calculator
Pick your vial size and how much water you add to see the draw volume and syringe units for a dose. Open the full calculator →
Inputs
Reminder: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
Total amount stated on the vial, e.g. 5 mg.
How much diluent you draw into the vial.
Target dose per injection, in mcg. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg.
Result
Draw to
10 units
= 0.1 mL on your syringe
- Concentration
- 2,500 mcg/mL
- Per unit
- 25 mcg / unit
- Doses per vial
- 20
Educational estimate only. Not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently before use.
6.Storage & stability
Lyophilized (dry)
| Temp | Freeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Many months when frozen |
| Notes | If you have the Egrifta product, follow its own storage instructions. |
Reconstituted
| Temp | 2 to 8 (refrigerated) |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | About 1 to 2 weeks |
| Notes | Do not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored. |
7.Reported side effects
- SeriousSerious allergic reaction(rare)s1Rare but can be life threatening. Seek care for swelling, trouble breathing, or hives.
- WarningHigher blood sugar or insulin resistances1It can worsen glucose control, especially if you already have insulin resistance or diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar.
- CautionFluid retention and swelling(common)s1Common in the first weeks, and it often settles.
- CautionJoint pain(common)s1
- CautionInjection site reactions(common)s1
8.Interactions & stacking risks
- InfoIpamorelin or CJC-1295 (growth hormone stacks)
Very commonly combined with these. Stacking tesamorelin with CJC-1295 overlaps, since both act like GHRH, while ipamorelin adds a different mechanism. Combining raises growth hormone more but also stacks the side effects.
Because it can raise blood sugar, diabetes treatment may need adjusting under medical supervision.
Steroids can blunt the growth hormone response.
9.Contraindications / who should avoid
- SeriousActive cancer or a known tumor
Raising growth hormone and IGF-1 could in theory feed a tumor. Not for anyone with active cancer.
- SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
- SeriousPituitary problems or active diabetic retinopathy
Contraindicated when the pituitary gland is disrupted or with active diabetic eye disease.
10.COA & purity notes
| Common adulterants | underdosed or mislabeled research vials, research tesamorelin sold without the quality controls of the approved product |
|---|---|
| Mislabeling | There is an approved product (Egrifta) made to pharmaceutical standards. Research vials are not held to the same controls, so a COA matters. |
| Notes | Unlike most peptides here, tesamorelin has an FDA approved version for one specific use. Research or off label material is not the same product. |
11.Sources
- [s1]U.S. FDA / Drugs.com (2024). Tesamorelin (Egrifta) prescribing information and drug overview. regulatory link
- [s2]The Lancet HIV (2019). Tesamorelin and liver fat in people with HIV (randomized trial). rct
Last reviewed 2026-07-07 · status: reviewed