Tesamorelin
FDA ApprovedStrong EvidenceTesamorelin (Egrifta / Egrifta SV)
An FDA-approved GHRH analog with demonstrated visceral fat reduction in Phase 3 trials — and a notable cognitive RCT that sets it apart from all other GH secretagogues on this platform.
An FDA-approved GHRH analog specifically for HIV patients who develop belly fat as a side effect of antiretroviral drugs — and it genuinely works: Phase 3 trials showed ~15% visceral fat reduction confirmed by CT scan. The catch: the fat comes back when you stop. What makes tesamorelin stand out from other GHRH analogs is the Baker 2012 cognitive trial — 152 older adults, some with early dementia, randomized for 20 weeks. The tesamorelin group improved on executive function tests vs placebo. That's the only published human RCT of any GHRH analog tested specifically for cognitive benefit. One trial of 152 people needs replication before drawing firm conclusions, but it's a real and unique signal. Vendors sell it, it's FDA-approved as a prescription drug, and it has among the most rigorous evidence of any GHRH compound on this platform.
Half-Life
~26 minutes (subcutaneous); longer than sermorelin due to the trans-3-hexenoic acid modification reducing DPP-IV sensitivity
Molecular Weight
5135.21 g/mol
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog consisting of the full human GHRH(1-44) sequence fused to a trans-3-hexenoic acid moiety at the N-terminus, which confers resistance to DPP-IV degradation and extends activity compared to native GHRH. FDA-approved as Egrifta (2010) and Egrifta SV (reformulated, 2019) for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy — specifically, excess visceral adiposity in adults with HIV on stable antiretroviral therapy. It is the only GHRH analog currently on the US market with FDA approval. Two Phase 3 RCTs demonstrated ~15–18% visceral adipose tissue (VAT) reduction over 26 weeks, measured by CT scan. A notable secondary finding: the Baker et al. 2012 RCT demonstrated cognitive improvement in older adults (including non-HIV patients) treated with tesamorelin — an observation suggesting cognitive benefit from GH/IGF-1 normalization that is unique in the GHRH analog literature. **Tesamorelin is a prescription pharmaceutical drug.** Vendors selling it as a research chemical are outside pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks.
Also Known As
Amino Acid Sequence
trans-3-hexenoic acid-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-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-NH₂ (GHRH 1-29 with N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification)
Reconstitution
Reconstitute with provided diluent. Each vial typically contains 1 mg tesamorelin.
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