Tesamorelin (tesamorelin acetate) is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and the only FDA-approved medication for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy, marketed as Egrifta. It stimulates endogenous GH and IGF-1 production. Egrifta WR, a new weekly-reconstitution formulation, was FDA-approved in March 2025. Phase 3 trials demonstrated significant visceral fat reduction with a generally well-tolerated safety profile over 26 weeks of therapy.
Category: Growth Hormone Secretagogue. Evidence rating: A (strong human clinical data).
Clinical status: FDA-approved (Egrifta SV 2019, Egrifta WR March 2025) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Tesamorelin binds to and stimulates human GRF (growth hormone-releasing factor) receptors on the anterior pituitary with similar potency as endogenous GRF, stimulating synthesis and release of endogenous growth hormone. This increases IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels, leading to increased lipolysis and…
Research base: 9 registered clinical trials and 24 indexed publications reference Tesamorelin.
Safety considerations: Common: injection site reactions (17%), arthralgia (13%), myalgia (6%), peripheral edema (6%); Headache, nausea, and flu-like symptoms reported; May increase blood glucose -- monitoring recommended in diabetics.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-08-12.
Related peptides: Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Sermorelin.
Compare: Tesamorelin vs Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295, Tesamorelin vs Sermorelin.
No. Per FDA labeling, tesamorelin is not a weight-loss medication and should not be used to treat obesity. It is approved only for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy.
Egrifta SV requires daily reconstitution. Egrifta WR (approved March 2025) requires less than half the administration volume and only weekly reconstitution. They have different recommended dosages and are not substitutable.
Fat reduction begins in weeks 1-2, with significant changes at 4-6 weeks and full benefits at 8-12 weeks. Phase 3 trials demonstrated efficacy over 26 weeks of therapy.
Some practitioners use tesamorelin off-label for its GH-stimulating effects on body composition and skin quality (GH and IGF-1 are important in collagen synthesis). However, it is only FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Yes, it may increase blood glucose levels. Monitoring is recommended, especially in patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Hyperglycemia frequency was similar between treatment and control groups in clinical trials.