Tesamorelin is a synthetic peptide that makes the pituitary gland release more of the body’s own growth hormone. As the prescription medicine Egrifta, it is FDA-approved to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-related lipodystrophy. In its trials, visceral fat (the deep fat around the organs) fell 14% to 18% over 26 weeks, but body weight barely changed.
Tesamorelin is not a weight loss drug. Its FDA label calls it “weight neutral”, and it is not approved for belly fat in people without HIV. Since 2020 it has been regulated as a biologic, so pharmacies cannot legally compound it.
This guide covers what the trials show, what happens when you stop, its side effects, how it compares with sermorelin, ipamorelin and GLP-1 medicines, and how research-grade tesamorelin vials compare. It is general information, not medical advice.
Status checked on September 27, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Approved only for HIV lipodystrophy: as Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR. The label says it is “not indicated for weight loss management as it has a weight neutral effect.”
- Belly fat, not weight: visceral fat fell 18% and 14% against placebo in two phase 3 trials, while body weight changed by -0.4kg and +0.5kg. Lean mass rose by about 1.2kg to 1.3kg.
- The fat comes back: people switched to placebo regained 16% to 22% of their visceral fat within 26 weeks.
- Outside HIV: in 60 adults with obesity and low growth hormone, tesamorelin cut visceral fat by about 19% against placebo over a year, with no change in weight.
- Side effects: mostly injection-site reactions, joint pain and swelling. 5% of people on tesamorelin reached a diabetes-range HbA1c, against 1% on placebo.
- Research-grade quality varies: 88 of 200 recent independent tests of research-grade tesamorelin failed, 23 of them because the vial’s identity could not be confirmed.
Buying for research? Jump to our verified tesamorelin vendors and discount codes, with each vendor’s lab report compared.
What Is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin (development code TH9507) is a synthetic version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the signal the brain uses to tell the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It is the full 44-amino-acid sequence of human GHRH with a small fatty chain added to one end, which protects it from breakdown in the blood.
How tesamorelin works
Tesamorelin binds the same receptors as the body’s own GHRH. The pituitary responds by releasing growth hormone in its natural pulses, which raises IGF-1, the hormone that carries many of growth hormone’s effects. In the label trials, IGF-1 rose by about 107ng/mL on tesamorelin, against little change on placebo.
This is different from injecting growth hormone itself. Because the body’s own feedback loop stays in place, growth hormone rises in pulses rather than staying high, and a 2012 trial found no worsening of blood sugar control over a year, which injected growth hormone can cause.
Egrifta SV vs Egrifta WR
Egrifta has come in three versions. They are not interchangeable, and each has its own labeled dose:
| Version | Vial | Labeled daily dose | Mixing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egrifta (original) | 1mg | 2mg | Two vials mixed daily | Approved 2010, since replaced |
| Egrifta SV | 2mg | 1.4mg | One vial mixed daily | Approved 2018 |
| Egrifta WR | 11.6mg | 1.28mg | One vial mixed weekly | Approved March 2025, available since September 2025 |
All are injected under the skin once a day. The newer versions give the same exposure as the original 2mg dose in a smaller volume.
Is tesamorelin a peptide, a steroid or HGH?
Tesamorelin is a peptide. It is not a steroid, and it is not growth hormone (HGH): it makes the body release its own. It is also not a GLP-1 medicine like Ozempic. Because it has more than 40 amino acids, the FDA classes it as a protein, and it has been regulated as a biologic since March 2020.
Tesamorelin Results: What the Trials Show
Two phase 3 trials, in 412 and 404 adults with HIV and excess belly fat, are the basis for Egrifta’s approval. Results at 26 weeks, from the Egrifta WR label:
| Measure | Study 1: tesamorelin | Study 1: placebo | Study 2: tesamorelin | Study 2: placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visceral fat | -18% | +2% | -14% | -2% |
| Waist | -3cm | -1cm | -2cm | -1cm |
| Body weight | -0.4kg | 0.0kg | +0.5kg | +0.3kg |
| Trunk fat | -1.0kg | +0.4kg | -0.8kg | +0.2kg |
| Lean body mass | +1.3kg | -0.2kg | +1.2kg | -0.03kg |
| IGF-1 | +107ng/mL | -15ng/mL | +108ng/mL | +3ng/mL |
Study 1 was also published in the NEJM in 2007, which reported the same trial with a different analysis: a 15.2% drop in visceral fat against a 5.0% rise on placebo, and triglycerides down 50mg/dL against a 9mg/dL rise.
Tesamorelin results timeline
The trials measured results at 26 weeks, with no week-by-week data. People who kept taking tesamorelin to 52 weeks held their reduction: visceral fat changed by 0% and -5% between weeks 26 and 52. Online “before and after” timelines are not from these trials.
What happens when you stop
In both trials, people who switched from tesamorelin to placebo after 26 weeks lost the benefit within the next 26 weeks. Visceral fat rose 22% in Study 1 and 16% in Study 2, trunk fat came back, and lean mass fell by about 1.7kg to 1.8kg. Tesamorelin works only while it is being taken.
Liver fat and other studied effects
- Fatty liver in HIV: in a 2019 trial of 61 people with HIV and fatty liver, tesamorelin cut liver fat by 37% over a year. Liver scarring progressed in 10.5% on tesamorelin, against 37.5% on placebo.
- Fatty liver without HIV: a small Massachusetts General Hospital trial has posted results showing a median liver fat change of -5.3% on tesamorelin against +3.6% on placebo, but has not been published in a journal.
- Memory and thinking: a 2012 trial in 152 older adults found a small improvement in cognition. Two later, smaller trials found no effect.
Does Tesamorelin Help With Weight Loss?
No. In every placebo-controlled trial, tesamorelin reduced belly fat without changing body weight, and its label calls it weight neutral. It shifts where the body stores fat and adds a little lean mass, so the scale barely moves while the waist gets slightly smaller. It does not suppress appetite the way GLP-1 medicines do.
Tesamorelin for belly fat without HIV
The best trial outside HIV is a 2012 study in 60 adults with abdominal obesity and reduced growth hormone release, a common finding in obesity. Over 12 months on 2mg a day:
- Visceral fat fell by 16cm² against a 19cm² rise on placebo, a net difference of about 19%.
- Body weight did not differ: +0.1kg against +0.9kg on placebo.
- Lean mass rose by 1.4kg, and triglycerides fell.
- Blood sugar, including HbA1c, did not change.
A 2017 trial in 53 people with type 2 diabetes found no effect on blood sugar control over 12 weeks. Insurers do not cover tesamorelin for belly fat without HIV: Cigna’s policy calls it not medically necessary for that use.
Tesamorelin vs Ozempic, Zepbound and retatrutide
| Medicine | How it works | Average weight loss in main trial | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin (Egrifta) | Raises the body’s own growth hormone | About 0%; visceral fat down 14% to 18% | Approved for HIV lipodystrophy only |
| Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) | GLP-1 | 14.9% at 68 weeks | Approved |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | GLP-1 and GIP | 20.9% at 72 weeks | Approved |
| Retatrutide | GLP-1, GIP and glucagon | 28.3% at 80 weeks (stayed on treatment) | Not approved |
GLP-1 medicines also cut visceral fat, as part of much larger overall weight loss. No trial has tested tesamorelin together with a GLP-1 medicine or retatrutide, so the popular “stacks” have no trial evidence behind them. Our retatrutide guide and best peptides for weight loss ranking cover those medicines in detail.
Does tesamorelin build muscle?
It adds a little lean mass: about 1.2kg to 1.3kg over 26 weeks in the label trials, and 1.4kg over a year in the 2012 obesity trial. No trial has shown gains in strength or performance, and the lean mass was lost after stopping. Tesamorelin is banned in sport under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s growth hormone rules.
Tesamorelin Side Effects
From the Egrifta WR label, over 26 weeks:
| Side effect | Tesamorelin | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Injection-site reactions (redness, itching, pain) | 17% | 6% |
| Joint pain | 13% | 11% |
| Muscle pain | 6% | 2% |
| Swelling of the hands or feet | 6% | 2% |
| Tingling or numbness | 5% | 2% |
| Rash | 4% | 2% |
| Vomiting | 3% | 0% |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | 1% | 0% |
In the original trials, 9.6% of people stopped because of side effects, against 6.8% on placebo. About half developed antibodies to tesamorelin, which did not change how well it worked.
Blood sugar and diabetes risk
Growth hormone can raise blood sugar. In the label trials, 5% of people on tesamorelin developed an HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, the diabetes range, against 1% on placebo. The trials excluded people with poorly controlled diabetes, and the label advises monitoring blood sugar.
IGF-1 and cancer risk
Tesamorelin raises IGF-1, a growth factor, and its label says it must not be used by people with active cancer. At 26 weeks, 47% of people had IGF-1 above the normal range, and the label advises monitoring IGF-1 and considering stopping if it stays very high. The long-term effect of raised IGF-1 on cancer risk is unknown: a 10-year safety study the FDA required was terminated without posting results.
Who should not use tesamorelin
According to its label, tesamorelin must not be used by people who:
- Are pregnant
- Have active cancer
- Have a disrupted pituitary system, for example after pituitary surgery, a pituitary tumor, head radiation or head injury
- Are allergic to tesamorelin
Its long-term effects on heart health have not been established.
Tesamorelin Dosage on the Label
These are the doses on Egrifta’s FDA labels. They are not dosing guidance for research products, which have no labeled dose.
- Egrifta WR: 1.28mg injected under the skin of the abdomen once a day.
- Egrifta SV: 1.4mg once a day.
- The original Egrifta: 2mg once a day. Online sources that quote “2mg” are using this outdated version.
The labels say Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR cannot be swapped for each other. Research-grade vials come in sizes such as 5mg, 10mg and 20mg, with no human dosing data behind them.
Tesamorelin half-life
Tesamorelin clears the blood within minutes: its half-life is about 8 minutes for Egrifta SV and 11 minutes for Egrifta WR in healthy adults. The 26 to 38 minutes often quoted online comes from the original 2010 label. The effect lasts longer than the peptide, because it triggers growth hormone release and raises IGF-1.
Tesamorelin vs Sermorelin, Ipamorelin and CJC-1295
Tesamorelin is the only growth-hormone-releasing peptide with phase 3 trials showing a reduction in visceral fat:
| Peptide | How it works | FDA status | Human fat loss evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | Full-length GHRH copy | Approved for HIV lipodystrophy | Two phase 3 trials: visceral fat down 14% to 18% |
| Sermorelin | Shorter GHRH fragment | Approved in 1990 and 1997 for growth hormone testing and childhood deficiency; discontinued in 2008, not for safety reasons | No trial showing fat loss |
| CJC-1295 | Long-acting GHRH copy | Never approved | None; a phase 2 trial was stopped in 2006 after a participant died of a heart attack |
| Ipamorelin | Ghrelin-receptor agonist | Never approved | None; its only efficacy trial, for bowel recovery after surgery, failed |
| MK-677 | Oral ghrelin mimic (not a peptide) | Never approved | No change in visceral fat, and worse glucose tolerance |
The FDA lists ipamorelin and MK-677 among compounding substances with significant safety risks. All five are banned in sport.
Tesamorelin and ipamorelin together
Several vendors sell tesamorelin and ipamorelin blends, but no trial has tested the combination. Its effects and risks are unknown.
Is Tesamorelin Legal? FDA Status, Compounding and Cost
Egrifta by prescription
Egrifta WR is a prescription medicine for adults with HIV and excess belly fat. Insurers typically require prior approval: Cigna, for example, asks for waist and waist-to-hip measurements above set thresholds, stable HIV treatment and a specialist prescriber. Without insurance, a 28-day kit costs about $11,000 to $13,000, according to Rx.com’s cash price estimates.
Why pharmacies can’t compound tesamorelin
Many clinics advertise “compounded tesamorelin”, but since March 2020 tesamorelin has been regulated as a biologic. The FDA says licensed biologics are not eligible for either pharmacy compounding pathway, 503A or 503B. The only legal US source for human use is Egrifta itself, by prescription.
What “research use only” means
Research-grade tesamorelin is sold as freeze-dried powder labeled for laboratory research use only, not for human use. It is not Egrifta, and the trial results above do not apply to it. On August 24, 2026, the FDA sent warning letters to five online sellers of tesamorelin products, including Royal Peptides, treating them as unapproved drugs.
Why the lab report matters
Independent testing shows how much research-grade tesamorelin varies. Of the 200 most recent tesamorelin tests on Finnrick, a commercial testing service (March to September 2026), 88 failed. Most failed its strict 99.5% purity bar, but 23 failed identity testing, meaning the lab could not confirm the vial contained tesamorelin.
A certificate of analysis (COA) from a named third-party lab, matching the batch number on the vial, is the best check available. Our guide to reading a peptide COA explains what to look for.
Where to Buy Research-Grade Tesamorelin
If you are sourcing tesamorelin for laboratory research, these seven vendors from our directory stock it. On September 27, 2026, we checked each one’s tesamorelin lab report and prices, and matched reports against the testing lab’s own records where the lab allows it. None of them is among the five sellers the FDA warned about tesamorelin in August 2026.
| Vendor | Sizes | 10mg price | Discount | Latest tesamorelin lab report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPeptides | 10mg vial, plus a spray | $99.99 | Code NOW10OFF: 10% off, stacks with 2- and 3-vial bundle savings |
North American Diagnostics, August 2026: 9.76mg in a 10mg vial, 99.97% pure. Endotoxin, heavy metals and fentanyl screens passed, and the reports match the lab’s own records |
| American Peptides | 10mg, 20mg | $120.00 | Code ABRAR10: 10% off; volume pricing up to 16% off |
Bioviridian, August 2026: 10.18mg in a 10mg vial, 99.79% pure, with endotoxin and heavy metals tested. Matches the lab’s own records |
| Alera Research | 10mg, plus a tesamorelin and ipamorelin blend | $49.99 | Sitewide sale, plus bulk discounts | Freedom Diagnostics, March 2026: 10.15mg in a 10mg vial, 99.36% pure. Matches the lab’s own records |
| Peptide Confidential | 10mg | C$85 (about US$60) | No code needed: 10% off each vial at 3 vials, 20% at 5 | Peptide Test Canada, September 2026: 9.18mg in a 10mg vial, 99.5% pure. Matches the lab’s own records |
| Arizen BioLabs (as Tesa) | 10mg, plus a tesamorelin and ipamorelin blend | $89.99, or $62.99 with FALL30 |
Code FALL30: 30% off during its fall sale (backup code QUICK: 10% off) |
Janoshik, March 2026: three vials held 10.3mg to 10.9mg, 99.2% to 99.3% pure. The report has no verification key |
| 99 Purity Peptides | 10mg, 20mg, kits, a spray and blends | $74.99 | Code PPEPTIDESPC10: 10% off sitewide |
Eagle Analytical, June 2026: sterility and endotoxin passed. No published purity or content test |
| Healius Peptides | 5mg only | 5mg: $69.95 | Code abrar10: 10% off sitewide |
Healius’s own report, February 2026: 5.8mg in a 5mg vial, 99.15% pure. No third-party lab named |
At the 10mg size, research-grade tesamorelin cost $49.99 to $120, or $5 to $12 per mg, before discount codes, against $11,000 or more a month for Egrifta. Prices and sales change often, so check the store before you order. Our PSPeptides promo code guide shows how NOW10OFF stacks with its bundle pricing. Full terms for each code are on the vendor’s listing: PSPeptides, American Peptides, Alera Research, Peptide Confidential, Arizen BioLabs, 99 Purity Peptides and Healius Peptides.
Research-grade tesamorelin is not Egrifta. It is sold for laboratory research use only, not for human use. The store links above are referral links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it never affects which vendors we list.
Before you order, match the batch number on the lab report to the vial you are buying. Our guides to peptide testing labs and spotting peptide scams explain what to check, and the buyer’s guide covers how we vet suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?
Yes, but only for one use. As Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, it is approved to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-related lipodystrophy. It is not approved for weight loss or for belly fat in people without HIV.
Does tesamorelin cause weight loss?
No. In its trials, tesamorelin cut visceral belly fat by 14% to 18% while body weight changed by less than a kilogram, and its label calls it weight neutral. It reduces deep belly fat and adds a little lean mass, so the scale barely moves.
How long does tesamorelin take to work?
The trials measured results at 26 weeks, when visceral fat had fallen 14% to 18%. People who kept taking it to 52 weeks held that reduction. There is no trial data on earlier, week-by-week changes.
Does belly fat come back after stopping tesamorelin?
Yes. In the label trials, people switched to placebo regained 16% to 22% of their visceral fat within 26 weeks, and lost the lean mass they had gained.
Is tesamorelin the same as Ozempic?
No. Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 medicine that reduces appetite and leads to large weight loss. Tesamorelin raises the body’s own growth hormone and reduces belly fat without weight loss.
Does tesamorelin build muscle?
It adds a little lean mass, about 1.2kg to 1.4kg in trials, but no trial has shown gains in strength. The lean mass was lost after stopping, and tesamorelin is banned in sport.
Does tesamorelin cause cancer?
There is no evidence that it does, but it has not been ruled out. Tesamorelin raises IGF-1, a growth factor, so its label forbids use in people with active cancer. A long-term safety study was stopped without posting results.
Who should not take tesamorelin?
According to its label, people who are pregnant, have active cancer, have a disrupted pituitary system (such as after pituitary surgery or head radiation), or are allergic to it. People with diabetes need their blood sugar monitored.
Is tesamorelin better than sermorelin?
For belly fat, it has far better evidence. Tesamorelin has two phase 3 trials showing a 14% to 18% fall in visceral fat. Sermorelin, a shorter GHRH fragment, has no trial showing fat loss and was discontinued in 2008.
Do you need a prescription for tesamorelin?
Yes. The only legal US source for human use is Egrifta, by prescription, and pharmacies cannot compound it because it is regulated as a biologic. Research-grade tesamorelin is sold for laboratory research use only.
Where can I buy research-grade tesamorelin?
Seven verified vendors in our directory sell research-grade tesamorelin for laboratory research use. PSPeptides and American Peptides publish the most complete lab testing. Our codes take 10% off at PSPeptides (NOW10OFF), American Peptides (ABRAR10), 99 Purity Peptides (PPEPTIDESPC10) and Healius Peptides (abrar10), and 30% off at Arizen BioLabs (FALL30) during its fall sale.
For the wider picture, see our ranking of the best peptides for weight loss.
Sources
Labels and regulation
- Egrifta WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information (DailyMed, revised March 2025)
- Egrifta SV (tesamorelin) prescribing information (DailyMed)
- List of approved NDAs for biological products deemed to be BLAs on March 23, 2020 (FDA)
- Notice to compounders: changes that affect compounding on March 23, 2020 (FDA)
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (FDA)
- FDA warning letter to Royal Peptides (August 2026)
- Cigna coverage policy IP0209: tesamorelin (August 2026)
- World Anti-Doping Code 2026 Prohibited List (WADA)
Trials and studies
- Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV (NEJM, 2007)
- Tesamorelin in abdominally obese adults with reduced growth hormone secretion (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2012)
- Tesamorelin in people with type 2 diabetes (2017)
- Tesamorelin and liver fat in HIV-associated fatty liver disease (Lancet HIV, 2019)
- Tesamorelin in adults with obesity and fatty liver (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03375788)
- Growth-hormone-releasing hormone and cognition in older adults (Arch Neurol, 2012)
- Tesamorelin stability and preclinical safety (2007)
- Tesamorelin long-term safety cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01579695)
- MK-677 and body composition in obese men (1998)
Market and testing