Tesamorelin
GHRH Analog | Visceral Fat Reduction
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What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of a natural hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It's the active ingredient in an FDA-approved medication studied in clinical research for a specific fat-distribution condition, and researchers separately study its broader effects on metabolic markers in animal and human trials. Research-grade tesamorelin sold here is intended for laboratory research use only — it is not the same product as, and is not a substitute for, an approved prescription medication.
Key terms:
Tesamorelin is a synthetic ghrh analog.
Tesamorelin is a lab-made copy of GHRH (the body's own signal for releasing growth hormone). It has 44 amino acids plus a trans-3-hexenoic acid group. The FDA approved it for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. In trials it selectively reduced visceral adipose tissue, the fat around the organs, while sparing fat under the skin. That selectivity sets it apart from other growth hormone therapies.
Key research areas
- FDA-approved formulation
- Selective visceral fat targeting
- Proven clinical efficacy
- Standardized dosing
Researched dosing
This table reflects how researchers and clinical trials have structured tesamorelin dosing schedules — presented as research methodology and regulatory history, not personal usage guidance.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV lipodystrophy trials (FDA-approved) | 1.4 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection (abdomen) |
| Visceral fat-reduction studies | 2 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection (rotate sites) |
| Longevity and body-composition studies | 1-2 mg daily | 5-7 days/week | Subcutaneous injection (evening) |
| NAFLD studies | 2 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection for 12 months |
| Cognitive-performance studies | 1 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous injection for 20 weeks |
| Standard study protocol | 1-2 mg daily | Daily | Subcutaneous with cycle breaks |
Commonly cycled 52 weeks on, 0+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, tesamorelin research looks at how this GHRH analog binds pituitary receptors to trigger natural, pulsatile growth-hormone release — the term below (GHRH analog) is just the name for that molecule class.
Subcutaneous injection provides optimal bioavailability for GHRH receptor binding and pulsatile GH release stimulation.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, amino-acid sequence, chain length — are the chemistry basics researchers use to confirm a tesamorelin sample's identity and purity before a study.
- Weight
- 5135.9 Da
- Length
- 44 amino acids
- Type
- GHRH analog
His-Ala-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu
Pharmacokinetics
This chart plots how quickly a research dose of tesamorelin clears in the literature — its short half-life is part of why the FDA-approved medication built on this compound is dosed daily.
- Peak
- 0.15 hr
- Half-life
- 0.433 hrs
- Cleared
- ~2.1 hrs
FDA Egrifta Label
Research applications
This section summarizes the research areas — including a specific FDA-approved indication and broader metabolic research — that scientists have studied for tesamorelin in the clinical literature; research-grade tesamorelin sold here is intended for laboratory study only, not human use.
Weight Reduction
FDA-approved indication showing 15-20% visceral fat reduction in clinical trials. Unique mechanism spares subcutaneous fat while reducing harmful visceral adiposity. Maintained weight reduction with continuous treatment over 52+ weeks in clinical studies.
Metabolic
Landmark study demonstrating significant hepatic fat reduction and prevented fibrosis progression in HIV patients with NAFLD. Recent meta-analysis demonstrating cardiovascular risk reduction through improved metabolic parameters.
Muscle Development
Pulsatile GH release stimulation may support lean muscle mass preservation and body composition improvements.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 1.4 mg (the FDA-approved amount) or 2 mg in research protocols
- Frequency in studies
- Once daily (evening administration preferred)
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- IGF-1 elevation: 13 days; Visible fat reduction: 4-8 weeks; Peak effects: 12-26 weeks
- Storage
- Unreconstituted powder: refrigerate at 2-8°C. Reconstituted solution: room temperature (20-25°C) — do NOT refrigerate after mixing. Use SV immediately, WR stable 7 days.
- Cycle length
- Continuous treatment (effects reverse upon discontinuation)
- Break between cycles
- No breaks required for FDA-approved use; off-label may cycle 3 months on/1 month off
Interactions
This list shows which other metabolic- and growth-hormone-research peptides scientists study alongside tesamorelin, and flags pairings that call for extra caution in a research setting.
Reconstitution & storage
This describes how a research-grade tesamorelin sample is mixed and handled in the lab, based on the FDA-approved product's labeling — a chemistry-handling note, not a usage guide.
- Remove vial from refrigerator (powder should be stored at 2-8°C) and allow to reach room temperature
- Egrifta SV: Add 0.5 mL sterile water to 2 mg vial
- Egrifta WR: Add 1.3 mL bacteriostatic water to 11.6 mg vial
- Gently swirl to dissolve - do not shake vigorously to prevent protein denaturation
- Solution should be clear and colorless - do not use if cloudy or contains particles
- Withdraw appropriate dose (typically 0.35 mL for 1.4 mg from SV preparation)
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within As per manufacturer
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within SV: use immediately; WR: 7 days at room temperature (20-25°C) - do NOT refrigerate after mixing
Open the Tesamorelin reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
This section lists what to check on a lab report (COA) or product source to confirm a tesamorelin sample's purity and identity before it's used in research.
FDA-approved formulations - Egrifta SV or Egrifta WR from licensed pharmacy with proper documentation
White crystalline powder - Lyophilized powder should be white, uniform, and cake-like in appearance
Clear reconstituted solution - After mixing, solution should be clear and colorless without particles
Proper packaging integrity - Sealed vials with intact rubber stoppers and aluminum seals
Discolored or cloudy solution - Any yellow/brown color or cloudiness indicates degradation or contamination
Visible particles or precipitate - Particles indicate protein aggregation or bacterial contamination
Compounded formulations - Non-FDA approved compounded versions may have quality/potency variability
What to expect
This timeline reflects what the clinical literature reports at each study stage — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
IGF-1 levels begin to rise, possible mild water retention or joint discomfort
Early metabolic changes, slight improvements in energy and sleep quality
Visible visceral fat reduction begins, waist circumference may decrease
Peak effects achieved with significant body composition improvements
Safety notes
This section summarizes tesamorelin's regulatory status and handling notes — contraindication and monitoring data drawn from the clinical literature on the FDA-approved medication, provided as reference context for laboratory researchers, not medical guidance.
- Contraindicated in active malignancy or pituitary disorders
- Monitor blood glucose regularly - 3.3-fold increased diabetes risk documented
- IGF-1 levels should be checked monthly - 47% exceed normal range at 26 weeks
- Common side effects include injection site reactions (17%) and joint pain (13%)
- FDA approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Egrifta/Egrifta SV)
Regulatory status
- Approved by the FDA for at least one indication. That approval applies to regulated pharmaceutical products, not to research-grade material.
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved medication studied in clinical research for a specific fat-distribution condition, and researchers separately study its effects on metabolic markers. Research-grade tesamorelin sold here is intended for laboratory research use only, and is not the same product as, or a substitute for, an approved prescription medication.
What class of compound is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is classified as a synthetic GHRH analog. It is a 44-amino-acid peptide carrying a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification, with a molecular weight of about 5,136 daltons. In the research literature it is described as binding pituitary GHRH receptors to prompt pulsatile growth-hormone release. Researchers use these molecular figures to confirm a sample's identity and purity before a study.
How is Tesamorelin handled and reconstituted for research use?
Handling for research-grade tesamorelin is based on the FDA-approved product's labeling: the vial is brought from refrigeration toward room temperature, then reconstituted with sterile or bacteriostatic water added gently and swirled — not shaken — to avoid protein denaturation. The solution should be clear and colorless before use. This is a chemistry-handling note, not a usage guide for people.
How should Tesamorelin be stored in the lab?
Unreconstituted tesamorelin powder is refrigerated at 2–8°C. Storage after mixing depends on the formulation the labeling is based on — some reconstituted preparations are kept at room temperature (20–25°C) rather than refrigerated. Researchers confirm a good sample by a white, crystalline, cake-like powder and a clear, colorless, particle-free solution checked against the Certificate of Analysis.
Is Tesamorelin legal to purchase for research in Canada?
Lux BioPure sells tesamorelin in Canada strictly as a research-use-only chemical for laboratory study — it is not for human or veterinary use and is not offered as a drug or supplement. While the compound is the basis of an FDA-approved medication for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, the research-grade material sold here is not that product and is not a substitute for it.
References
Recent meta-analysis demonstrating cardiovascular risk reduction through improved metabolic parameters (0.40% reduction in 10-year ASCVD risk).
Comprehensive analysis showing reduced VEGFA, TGFB1, and CSF1 inflammatory markers beyond metabolic effects.
View StudyLandmark study demonstrating significant hepatic fat reduction (37%) and prevented fibrosis progression in HIV patients with NAFLD.
View Study