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Tesamorelin: the complete guide

Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog of human GHRH, FDA approved for reducing excess visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is studied for broader visceral fat and metabolic effects.

Written by Peptide Protocol Editorial Medically reviewed per our review process Last reviewed
ClassGHRH analog
Half-lifeApproximately 30 minutes
Typical dose1–2 mg daily subcutaneous
CategoryGrowth hormone axis
Research useVisceral fat research, lipodystrophy, GH axis
FDA statusFDA approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (visceral fat reduction).

How Tesamorelin works

Tesamorelin binds pituitary GHRH receptors, increasing GH and IGF-1 pulsatile secretion. This drives lipolysis preferentially in visceral adipose depots.

Typical Tesamorelin dosage

Commonly reported research ranges: 1–2 mg daily subcutaneous.

Dose should always be individualized. Factors that influence it include bodyweight, research goal, tolerance, and specific compound batch. The information below is educational, not a prescription.

How to reconstitute Tesamorelin

A widely used reconstitution for a 5 mg vial is 2 ml of bacteriostatic water. With a typical 2000 mcg dose this works out to the unit count shown in the calculator below.

Open the Tesamorelin reconstitution calculator →

Pre-filled with the common 5 mg + 2 ml ratio. Adjust for your own vial.

Half-life and administration frequency

Approximately 30 minutes.

This half-life informs how often Tesamorelin is typically dosed. Shorter half-lives usually mean more frequent dosing to maintain plasma levels; longer half-lives allow daily, weekly, or less-frequent administration depending on the compound.

Reported side effects

This list reflects effects reported in available literature or user logs. It is not exhaustive. Adverse reactions should be discussed with a qualified clinician.

Common Tesamorelin stacks

Full editorial stack guides featuring Tesamorelin:

Semaglutide + Tesamorelin

Recomposition alongside GLP-1 fat loss, targeting visceral fat, users losing too much lean mass on Semaglutide alone.

Fat lossRecomposition

Ipamorelin + Tesamorelin

Users wanting the cleanest clinically-documented GHRH/GHRP pair, reducing visceral fat, long-horizon anti-aging protocols.

GH axisClinical

CJC-1295 + Tesamorelin

Experimental protocols only. Most users are better served running Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin or CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin.

GH axisAdvanced

Storage and handling

Lyophilized refrigerated. Reconstituted: refrigerated, use within 28 days.

FDA and regulatory status

FDA approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (visceral fat reduction).

Tesamorelin clinical trials and evidence

For clinical-trial and primary-literature context, start with the sources below. We prioritize official drug labels, ClinicalTrials.gov records, and PubMed-indexed literature when available.

Track your Tesamorelin protocol on iPhone

Peptide Protocol logs every dose, calculates reconstitution for you, and keeps your full protocol on one calm screen.

See the app →

Frequently asked questions

What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog of human GHRH, FDA approved for reducing excess visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is studied for broader visceral fat and metabolic effects.

How does Tesamorelin work?

Tesamorelin binds pituitary GHRH receptors, increasing GH and IGF-1 pulsatile secretion. This drives lipolysis preferentially in visceral adipose depots.

What is a typical Tesamorelin dose?

Commonly reported ranges are 1–2 mg daily subcutaneous. This is research information, not a recommendation — dosing should be individualized under clinical guidance.

What is the half-life of Tesamorelin?

Approximately 30 minutes. This influences how often it is administered.

How do you reconstitute Tesamorelin?

A common approach is to add 2 ml of bacteriostatic water to a 5 mg vial. Use the reconstitution calculator for exact unit counts.

What are the side effects of Tesamorelin?

Injection-site reactions; Arthralgia; Peripheral edema; Hyperglycemia in susceptible individuals.

Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?

FDA approved as Egrifta for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (visceral fat reduction).

Are there clinical trials for Tesamorelin?

Registered or published clinical-trial sources for Tesamorelin are listed in the references section below. Evidence depth varies widely by compound, so check the cited trial registries and primary literature before relying on any claim.

References

  1. Tesamorelin (Egrifta) — FDA Drugs@FDA label — U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Approval label for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; dosing, mechanism, safety data
  2. Falutz et al. — Effects of tesamorelin on visceral fat and body composition — PubMed. Pivotal trials establishing visceral adipose reduction in HIV-lipodystrophy
  3. Tesamorelin clinical trial records — ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered human studies across metabolic indications

Sources listed above were used to verify the claims on this page. See our editorial policy for how we source information.

Educational use only. Peptide Protocol is an informational tool. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice. Many peptides are prescription-only or restricted in your jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before injecting any compound.