NO. 008 · STAGE 1 · Lv. 92 · HP 150
TESAMORELIN
GHRH Analog · Egrifta®
ALIASES
TH9507, Egrifta, Egrifta SV, GHRH(1-44) stabilized analog
CLASS
Synthetic stabilized GHRH(1-44) analog
FORMULA
C221H366N72O67S
HALF-LIFE
~26 min plasma
ROUTES
Subcutaneous (FDA-label, daily)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Stabilized analog of human GHRH(1-44). Binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs. FDA-approved as Egrifta® for HIV-associated lipodystrophy under separate human-prescription label.
EVIDENCE GRADES
Pooled Phase 3 (Falutz 2010, PMID 20554713; JAIDS 2010, PMID 20101189): -15.4% to -18% VAT vs placebo at 26 weeks.
Consistent dose-dependent IGF-1 increase across trials.
Off-label evidence limited. Theoretical applicability of GHRH-driven endogenous GH pulses to non-HIV-LD subjects is reasonable but not RCT-validated outside the approved label.
Stanley et al. (2019) reported reduced hepatic steatosis in HIV-NAFLD subjects on tesamorelin. Replicated subset findings; not yet a definitive Phase 3 outcome.
MECHANISM CATEGORIES
RESEARCH CONDITIONS
SAFETY
Side effects
- Injection-site reactions
- Arthralgia
- Peripheral edema
- Carpal tunnel symptoms (transient)
- Hyperglycemia (mild, in some)
Drug interactions
- Corticosteroids may blunt GH response
- Concurrent rhGH not recommended
Contraindications
- Active malignancy
- Pituitary tumor
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Hypersensitivity to mannitol
REGULATORY STATUS
FDA · FDA-approved as Egrifta® (2010) and Egrifta SV® (reformulated 2019) for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
WADA · Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics) in the GHRH-analog sub-category.
STORAGE
Lyophilized · Per branded label until expiration. Research-grade: 2–8 °C, 12+ months
Reconstituted · 2–8 °C, 28 days
PEER-REVIEWED EVIDENCE
- Falutz J, Mamputu JC, Potvin D, et al.. Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in HIV patients with excess abdominal fat: pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010. PMID 20554713. link →
- Falutz J, Potvin D, Mamputu JC, et al.. Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial with safety extension. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2010. PMID 20101189. link →
FAQ · 12 QUESTIONS
▶ What is tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a stabilized 44-amino-acid analog of human growth-hormone-releasing hormone GHRH(1-44). It is the only GHRH analog currently FDA-approved for a chronic indication (HIV-associated lipodystrophy, marketed as Egrifta® and Egrifta SV®).
▶ What is tesamorelin approved for?
Reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The branded human-prescription products (Egrifta, Egrifta SV) are FDA-approved under separate clinical pathways. Marketing rights are held by Theratechnologies Inc. (Montreal).
▶ How does tesamorelin work?
Tesamorelin binds the GHRH receptor on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs and stimulates pulsatile growth-hormone release that approximates the natural diurnal pattern. The resulting GH elevation drives hepatic IGF-1 production. The net effect in lipodystrophic patients is preferential lipolysis of visceral adipose with little change in subcutaneous adipose.
▶ Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295 — what's different?
Both are GHRH analogs. Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH(1-44) — preserves the full natural 44-aa hormone sequence. CJC-1295 is a GHRH(1-29) analog with stabilizing substitutions; the With-DAC variant adds an albumin-tethering linker that extends half-life to a week. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved; CJC-1295 is research-use only.
▶ What is the half-life of tesamorelin?
Approximately 26 minutes plasma half-life. The N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic-acid modification protects against DPP-IV cleavage and extends half-life sufficiently for once-daily clinical dosing.
▶ Can tesamorelin be used for general body composition?
Off-label evidence is limited. Theoretical applicability to non-HIV-LD body composition research is reasonable given the GHRH-mediated mechanism, but no Phase 3 trials outside the approved HIV-LD label. This wiki does not recommend any human dose.
▶ Is tesamorelin banned in sports?
Yes. Tesamorelin is prohibited at all times under WADA Section S2 in the GHRH-analog sub-category. Detectable on standard anti-doping screens.
▶ Side effects of tesamorelin?
Most common per Phase 3 data: injection-site reactions, arthralgia, peripheral edema, transient carpal-tunnel-type symptoms, and mild hyperglycemia in a minority. The trials reported no clinically meaningful changes in fasting glucose at the approved 2 mg dose.
▶ What is the difference between Egrifta and Egrifta SV?
Same active molecule. Egrifta SV (2019) is a reformulated version with smaller injection volume and updated stability, intended to improve compliance over the original Egrifta (2010). Both are 2 mg daily subcutaneous.
▶ How is research-grade tesamorelin different from Egrifta?
The active molecule is the same. Branded Egrifta is formulated, labeled, and quality-controlled to FDA pharmaceutical standards. Research-grade tesamorelin sold as a chemical reference compound is for laboratory use only and is not interchangeable with the approved product.
▶ Does tesamorelin affect NAFLD / fatty liver?
Stanley et al. (2019) reported reduced hepatic steatosis in HIV-NAFLD subjects on tesamorelin. Subset findings have been replicated; not yet a definitive Phase 3 outcome for general NAFLD.
▶ What is the molecular formula of tesamorelin?
C221H366N72O67S. Molecular weight approximately 5,196 Da.
APPEARS IN STACKS
SIGNATURE MOVES
Triggers natural GH release. No exogenous GH needed.
Slows damage to fat type. Selective visceral fat reduction.
SOURCED FROM PEPPU LABS
Reference compounds documented on this page are available as research-grade material at Peppu Studio · ≥99% purity · per-batch Certificate of Analysis. For laboratory research use only. No human dose is recommended by this wiki.
▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-19