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Tesamorelin

Metabolic & Weight Loss

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of GHRH, FDA-approved for reducing visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It stimulates endogenous GH secretion, leading to significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and improvements in body composition. Outside this use, it has been studied in research settings for its effects on growth hormone release, body composition, and metabolic function. In research settings when stacked with Ipamorelin or GHRP-based peptides, it creates sustained GH elevation with improved metabolic outcomes.

Reconstitute
3 mL BAC + 20mg vial
67 mcg/unit
Daily Range
2–2 mg Subcutaneous (SQ)
daily
Standard Dose
2 mg
Cycle
4–8 weeks
then reassess
Growth hormone-releasing hormoneGHRHabdominal fatHIVlipodystrophy

Dosing & Reconstitution Guide

The FDA-approved dose is 2 mg subcutaneously once daily for HIV-related lipodystrophy. All other uses remain investigational and are not FDA-approved.

Standard / Gradual Approach

20mg Vialstandard
PhaseDoseVolume
Week 11 mg / 1000 mcg15 units (0.15 mL)
Weeks 2–12+2 mg / 2000 mcg30 units (0.30 mL)

Standard / Gradual Approach

10mg Vialstandard
PhaseDoseVolume
Week 11 mg / 1000 mcg30 units (0.30 mL)
Weeks 2–12+2 mg / 2000 mcg60 units (0.60 mL)

Standard / Gradual Approach

5mg Vialstandard
PhaseDoseVolume
Week 11 mg / 1000 mcg50 units (0.50 mL)
Weeks 2–12+2 mg / 2000 mcg100 units (1.00 mL)

Protocol Summary

Subcutaneous (SQ): daily · Dose range 2–2 mg with gradual titration
Cycle Length: 4–8 weeks typical; reassess before extending

Frequency & Cycling

SubQ Injection

Administer 2 mg SubQ once daily for up to 60 days. Typical off-label use includes 4–6 weeks on, followed by a 2–4 week break. Can be combined with Ipamorelin or CJC-1295 for amplified GH response. Monitor IGF-1 levels and glucose tolerance during extended use.

🧪 Quick Start

Vial Size
20 mg
BAC Water
3 mL
Concentration
6.67 mcg/unit
Starting Dose
1 mg / 1000 mcg (15 units (0.15 mL))
Maintenance Dose
2 mg / 2000 mcg (30 units (0.30 mL))

Potential Benefits & Use Cases

Tesamorelin is only approved for HIV-related lipodystrophy. All other uses discussed reflect research findings only.
Reduces visceral adipose tissue by ~20% over 26 weeks in clinical trials (human trial)
Improves lipid profiles and reduces hepatic fat by 37% relative reduction in NAFLD (human trial)
Enhances cognitive function — increases frontal GABA, improves executive function and delayed verbal recall (human trial)
Well-tolerated with maintained benefits during continuous use up to 52 weeks (human trial)
Prevents fibrosis progression in NAFLD patients (human trial)
Clinical data Strong preclinical Limited data

Mechanism of Action

→Stimulates the pituitary gland to increase growth hormone secretion, which in turn affects adipose tissue metabolism, particularly reducing visceral fat.

Lifestyle & Optimization

timing

Evening injection to align with natural GH rhythms.

diet

Protein-forward diet to support GH/IGF-1 effects.

exercise

Resistance and aerobic training.

sleep

Sleep 7–9 hours. Stress management.

Peptide Research & Preclinical Studies

Evidence-Based Research Findings

Study TitleType
Tesamorelin – LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury — National Institutes of HealthReference
Tesamorelin (Subcutaneous route) – Drug Information — Mayo ClinicReference
Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fatReference
Safety and metabolic effects of tesamorelin in patients with type 2 diabetesReference
Tesamorelin can improve cognitive function (Research Highlight) — Nature Reviews EndocrinologyReference
Tesamorelin Injection – MedlinePlus Drug InformationReference
EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) – Full Prescribing Information — FDA LabelReference
Tesamorelin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings — Drugs.comReference

Side Effects & Safety

Common Side Effects

• Joint pain (arthralgia), muscle aches, peripheral edema
• Carpal tunnel symptoms (dose-dependent, reversible)
• IGF-1 elevation requires monitoring; small HbA1c increases observed

Contraindications & Warnings

• Contraindicated in active malignancies, pregnancy, hypersensitivity to tesamorelin/mannitol

🧮 Dose Calculator

Concentration
66.7
mcg/unit
Draw Volume
7
units (0.070 mL)
For a 500 mcg dose, draw 7 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
🧬

Bioavailability & Absorption

SubQ Injection
Tesamorelin is administered subcutaneously with bioavailability around 75% after a 2 mg dose.
Oral Administration
Tesamorelin does not have oral bioavailability as it is degraded in the gastrointestinal tract.
Half-Life
Approximately 26 minutes
Degradation
Metabolized primarily in the liver.
Tissue Specificity
Targets abdominal adipose tissue to reduce fat.
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Peptide Details

Molecular Weight
5135.8
Formula
C221H366N72O67S
Sequence
Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ser-Ser-Val-Leu-Ser-Ser-Leu-Leu-Gln-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Lys-Glu-Arg-Asp-Glu-Ile-NH2
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Legal Status & Regulatory

RegionStatus
FDAApproved
EUApproved
AustraliaNot Approved
CanadaApproved

Storage Instructions

Lyophilized (Powder)
Store at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); newer formulations (Egrifta SV) stable at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) before reconstitution
Reconstituted (Mixed)
refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F)