Tesamorelin

Also known as Egrifta, TH9507, Tesamorelin acetate

Approved for some usesGrowth hormone

Last reviewed 7 July 2026 · Awaiting clinical review

Main safety concerns

It raises growth hormone and IGF-1, which can push up blood sugar, and it is not for anyone with active cancer. It is approved for one specific medical use; other uses are off label.

SeriousSerious allergic reaction
SeriousAvoid if: Active cancer or a known tumor
SeriousAvoid if: Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Educational information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact a clinician or emergency services.

What is known

A growth hormone releasing hormone analog, approved as Egrifta to reduce belly fat in HIV, and used off label for body composition.

Status:: FDA approved as Egrifta for one specific use. Other uses are off label and not approved.[1]
Strongest evidence for any claim:

See the evidence claim by claim

On this page

What it is and how it works

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.[1]

Evidence by claim

Each claim is graded on its own. Tap a grade to see what it does and does not mean.

Reduces visceral (belly) fat in people with HIV associated lipodystrophy.
Source type: Regulatory record
This is its approved use, backed by randomized human trials and FDA approval.
[1]U.S. FDA / Drugs.com 2024 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record
Raises IGF-1 and lowers liver fat.
Source type: Regulatory record, Randomized trial
Supported by human data, including for fatty liver, though outside the approved use.
[1]U.S. FDA / Drugs.com 2024 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record[2]The Lancet HIV 2019 (opens source in a new tab)· Randomized trial
Used off label for body composition, recovery, and anti aging.
Popular off label, but not studied or approved for these goals.
No source cited for this claim.

Reported side effects

SeriousSerious allergic reaction(rare)[1]Rare but can be life threatening. Seek care for swelling, trouble breathing, or hives.
WarningHigher blood sugar or insulin resistance[1]It can worsen glucose control, especially if you already have insulin resistance or diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar.
CautionFluid retention and swelling(common)[1]Common in the first weeks, and it often settles.
CautionJoint pain(common)[1]
CautionInjection site reactions(common)[1]

Interactions and combination 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.
WarningDiabetes medicines or insulin[1]
Because it can raise blood sugar, diabetes treatment may need adjusting under medical supervision.
CautionCorticosteroids[1]
Steroids can blunt the growth hormone response.

Who should avoid it

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.

Dosing

Placed after the evidence and risks on purpose. Nothing here is a recommendation for you.

Doses studied in human trials

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.

[1]

For the equipment itself, see syringes, needles, and the rest of the kit.

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.

General reconstitution technique

Units and volume arithmetic

Converts between an amount and syringe units for the vial and diluent you enter. It starts empty and does not suggest an amount. Open the full calculator

Result

Fill in steps 1 to 3 to see the arithmetic. Nothing here is a suggested amount.

Settings live in the address bar, so a pasted link reopens this calculator as you left it.

Educational arithmetic only. It does not choose an amount for you and is not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently.

Storage and stability

Dry powder (lyophilized)

Temperature	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.

After mixing

Temperature	2 to 8 (refrigerated)
Shelf life	About 1 to 2 weeks
Notes	Do not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored.

General storage and stability guide

COA and 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.

How to read a COA

Sources

[1]Tesamorelin (Egrifta) prescribing information and drug overview
U.S. FDA / Drugs.com 2024 (opens source in a new tab)· Regulatory record
[2]Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial
The Lancet HIV 2019 (opens source in a new tab)· Randomized trial

Last reviewed 7 July 2026 · editorial status: reviewed