LA LABResearch Reference Document
Compound Guide
Tesamorelin — GHRH Analogue (Egrifta)
Quick Start
FDA Approved — Narrow Indication
Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analogue with FDA approval (as Egrifta and Egrifta SV/WR). The approved indication is HIV-associated lipodystrophy (excess visceral abdominal fat in adults receiving antiretroviral therapy). All other uses are investigational. This guide covers both the FDA-approved context and general research protocols.
What It Is
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino acid analogue of human Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH). It stimulates pituitary GH secretion, raising IGF-1 levels and promoting visceral fat reduction. Unlike GH itself, it maintains the pulsatile pattern of GH release, preserving natural regulatory feedback loops.
Research Dosing
2 mg SubQ once daily, no ramp-up required. No fasting requirement. FDA-approved Egrifta dose is 2 mg/day (LIPO-010 trial standard); Egrifta SV: 1.4 mg/day (0.35 mL); Egrifta WR: 1.28 mg/day (0.16 mL). Standard Phase III trial duration: 26 weeks.
Regulatory & Doping Status
FDA-approved as Egrifta (2010) for HIV lipodystrophy. All other uses are investigational. WADA prohibited list: S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors). For competitive athletes, tesamorelin is banned regardless of indication.
Dosing Protocol
Formulation Comparison
| Formulation | Dose | Volume | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research vials (lyophilised) | 2 mg/day | Reconstitute per math below | General research; requires reconstitution |
| Egrifta SV (FDA-approved) | 1.4 mg/day | 0.35 mL per injection | HIV lipodystrophy — approved clinical use |
| Egrifta WR (FDA-approved) | 1.28 mg/day | 0.16 mL per injection | HIV lipodystrophy — approved clinical use |
Supplies & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Math — 10 mg Vial (3 mL BAC)
| Target Dose | Units (U-100) | Doses / Vial |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mg | 15.0 units | 20 |
| 1 mg | 30.0 units | 10 |
| 2 mg | 60.0 units | 5 |
Reconstitute the 10 mg vial with 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water (sold separately) → 3.33 mg/mL. U-100 syringe = 100 units per mL. Swirl gently — do not shake. Refrigerate 2–8°C.
Vial Planning Guide
| Dose | Days per 10 mg Vial | Vials for 4 Weeks | Vials for 26 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg/day | 5 days | 6 vials | ~37 vials |
Reconstitution Steps
01
Warm the vial
Remove from freezer and allow to reach room temperature (10–15 min) before reconstitution.
02
Swab both stoppers
Alcohol swab both vial tops. Air-dry before inserting needle.
03
Draw BAC water
Draw the required BAC water volume (e.g. 3.0 mL).
04
Inject along the wall
Let BAC water run slowly down the inside glass wall. Do not jet onto the powder.
05
Gentle swirl
Swirl slowly until fully dissolved and clear. Do not shake or vortex.
06
Refrigerate
Store at 2–8°C, upright, for up to 30 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
Mechanism of Action
GHRH-R Agonism
Tesamorelin binds and activates pituitary GHRH receptors, stimulating GH secretion. Unlike exogenous GH, it preserves the pulsatile pattern — GH is released in physiological pulses rather than continuous elevation, maintaining natural IGF-1 feedback.
IGF-1 Elevation
Downstream GH elevation drives hepatic IGF-1 production. Phase III trials show IGF-1 elevations of approximately 90–140 ng/mL above baseline after 26 weeks at 2 mg/day.
Visceral Fat Reduction
The primary studied outcome in Phase III. GH/IGF-1 axis activation promotes lipolysis preferentially in visceral adipose tissue. Phase III trials (LIPO-010, CTR-1011) showed ~15% visceral adipose area reduction vs placebo at 26 weeks.
Cognitive Research
Investigational research in mild cognitive impairment (Baker et al., funded by NIA). No approved indication. Studies are ongoing; findings not yet published for Phase 2+ endpoints as of 2026.
Key Research
| Study | Design | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|
| LIPO-010 | Phase III; HIV lipodystrophy; 26 weeks | ~15% reduction in visceral adipose area vs placebo; statistically significant |
| CTR-1011 | Phase III; HIV lipodystrophy; 26 weeks | Confirmed primary endpoint; approved basis for FDA submission |
| Cognitive MCI trials | Phase 2; ongoing NIA-funded research | Investigational; results pending as of 2026 |
Comparison: GHRH Analogues
| Compound | Half-Life | Dosing | FDA Status | WADA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | ~26 min | Daily SubQ | Approved (HIV lipodystrophy) | Banned S2 |
| Sermorelin | ~10 min | Daily SubQ or intranasal | Withdrawn (2008) | Banned S2 |
| CJC-1295 + DAC | 5.8–8.1 days | Weekly SubQ | Not approved | Banned S2 |
| CJC-1295 No DAC | ~30 min | Daily SubQ | Not approved | Banned S2 |
Storage
| State | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised (powder) | −20°C (freezer) | Up to 24 months | Protect from light and moisture |
| Reconstituted (liquid) | 2–8°C (refrigerator) | Up to 30 days | Do not freeze after reconstitution |
Disclaimer
This document is an educational research reference only. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved only for HIV-associated lipodystrophy — all other uses are investigational. It is WADA banned for competitive athletes. By purchasing from LA LAB you confirm you are 18+ and that products are for research purposes only.
Side Effects & Clinical Trial Incidence
Tesamorelin is the exception on this list: it is FDA-approved (as Egrifta, for HIV-associated lipodystrophy), so the side effects below come from proper trials with real incidence figures rather than from user reports.
| Reported in trials | Detail |
|---|---|
| Injection-site reactions | The most common finding — redness, itching, pain, bruising. |
| Joint pain (arthralgia) | A recognised GH-related effect. |
| Swelling in the limbs (peripheral oedema) | Fluid retention, a class effect of raising GH. |
| Muscle pain, tingling, numbness | Reported; often related to fluid retention. |
| Raised blood glucose | Tesamorelin raises IGF-1, which can worsen glucose control. Trials monitored this specifically. |
| Hypersensitivity reactions | Rash and urticaria were reported in a small number. |
Effects on abdominal fat reversed after stopping in the trials — the benefit was not maintained off the drug.
Who Should Avoid Tesamorelin
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Active malignancy | A contraindication on the licensed label. Tesamorelin raises IGF-1, which promotes cell growth. |
| Pregnancy | Contraindicated on the label. |
| Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis | Pituitary tumour or surgery, head irradiation or head trauma — contraindicated. |
| Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance | Requires monitoring; tesamorelin can worsen glucose control. |
| Under 18 | Not indicated; the GH axis is still developing. |
| Competing athletes | On the WADA prohibited list. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tesamorelin actually approved for?
Reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That is the only approved indication, and the trials were done in that population — not in healthy people seeking body composition changes.
Reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That is the only approved indication, and the trials were done in that population — not in healthy people seeking body composition changes.
Does it work for ordinary belly fat?
The evidence is in HIV lipodystrophy, which is a specific metabolic condition. Whether the same effect size applies to anyone else has not been established.
The evidence is in HIV lipodystrophy, which is a specific metabolic condition. Whether the same effect size applies to anyone else has not been established.
Is it the same as taking growth hormone?
No. It is a GHRH analogue — it prompts your own pituitary, keeping the feedback loop intact.
No. It is a GHRH analogue — it prompts your own pituitary, keeping the feedback loop intact.
What happens when I stop?
In the trials, visceral fat returned. The effect was not maintained after stopping.
In the trials, visceral fat returned. The effect was not maintained after stopping.
Why at night?
To line up with the body’s own overnight GH pulse. The licensed product is dosed once daily.
To line up with the body’s own overnight GH pulse. The licensed product is dosed once daily.
Do I need blood tests?
IGF-1 and glucose are the two the trials monitored. If you are going to run this for any length of time, those are the numbers to have.
IGF-1 and glucose are the two the trials monitored. If you are going to run this for any length of time, those are the numbers to have.
Tesamorelin or CJC-1295?
Both are GHRH analogues. Tesamorelin is the one with an approval and a real trial programme behind it.
Both are GHRH analogues. Tesamorelin is the one with an approval and a real trial programme behind it.
Sources & Research
Falutz J et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med 2007;357:2359–70.
Falutz J et al. Effects of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. JAMA 2010;304:272–9.
Stanley TL et al. Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation. JAMA 2014;312:380–9.
Prescribing information — Egrifta (tesamorelin for injection), including contraindications and monitoring requirements.
Regulatory status — FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Not approved by SAHPRA for supply in this form. On the WADA prohibited list.
Educational reference only
This document is a research reference, not medical advice and not a treatment plan. Tesamorelin is approved only for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and not by SAHPRA for supply in this form. Dose decisions belong to you and your prescriber. Independent certificates of analysis for every LA LAB batch are published under Research → Lab Results, with the Janoshik task number and verification key so you can check them yourself.