How Tesamorelin works
A peptide approved for deep abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy.
Also called: TH9507, TH-9507, Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR.
GHRH analogues · Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor agonist · Evidence: Approved drug.
It prompts growth hormone release from the pituitary gland. This raises IGF-1, a growth signal, and helps break down fat. HIV lipodystrophy trials showed less fat deep inside the abdomen.
- GHRH receptor on pituitary cells: Stimulates the body’s own growth-hormone pulses.
- GH and downstream IGF-1 signaling: Changes fat breakdown and tissue-growth signals.
Half-life: Egrifta WR: mean 11 minutes after one injection under the skin in healthy adults. Original repeated-dose estimates differ.
Related to Tesamorelin
- CJC-1295 without DAC: A peptide intended to trigger growth hormone release, with no human dosing study found.
- Sermorelin: An experimental short-acting peptide that triggers growth hormone release, with limited evidence of adult benefits.
- CJC-1295 with DAC: An experimental long-acting peptide that triggers growth hormone release, with no proven muscle or recovery benefit.
- Tirzepatide: A weekly GIP/GLP-1 injection with strong diabetes and weight-loss evidence and common stomach side effects.
- Retatrutide: An experimental weekly injection with phase 3 weight-loss results.
- Ipamorelin: An experimental peptide that triggers growth hormone release.
Sources
- Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Purple Book Search, FDA · 2026
- Search results summary, Health Canada · 2026
- The 2026 Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA · 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—October 2026) Instrument 2026, Australian Government · Australian Government · 2026
- EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) for injection, for subcutaneous use, U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA · 2025
- Supply unlicensed medicinal products (specials), MHRA · 2025
- EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) for injection, for subcutaneous use, 2024
- Egrifta, 2012
- EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection) for Subcutaneous Use, 2010
- EGRIFTA: Chemistry Review, NDA 22-505, 2010
- EGRIFTA: Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmaceutics Review, NDA 22-505, 2010
- EGRIFTA: Clinical Review, NDA 22-505, 2010
- Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials., Badran AS et al. · Obesity research & clinical practice · 2026
- Differing Presentations of Excess Visceral Abdominal Fat in People Living With HIV: Two Clinical Cases Highlighting Distinct Therapeutic Pathways With Tesamorelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists., Beach R et al. · Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2026
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
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