Tesamorelin
Also known as: Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR, TH9507
Tesamorelin (also called Egrifta or Egrifta SV) is an FDA-approved GHRH analog in the Growth Hormone Secretagogue class. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog consisting of the GRF(1-44) sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to the N-terminus, a modification that protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage and extends its half-life.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 218949-48-5
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 5135.9 g/mol
- Half-life
- 26-38 minutes
- FDA status
- Approved
- Evidence level
- FDA Approved
- Human dose established
- Yes
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Last updated
- Sep 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- GHRH receptor
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor counts once, at the median price per mg of its own listings; the typical range is the middle half of vendors. From public vendor listings collected between Dec 2025 and Oct 2026, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 44
- Listed offers
- 116
- Median price per mg
- $7.00/mg
- Typical $6.12–$9.00/mg
Research summary
FDA-approved GHRH analog (Egrifta) to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. WADA still prohibits tesamorelin (S2) in sport.
Peptide Library's Tesamorelin profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Tesamorelin dosage chart
Tesamorelin has an FDA-approved human dosage: 1.4 mg reconstituted and injected subcutaneously into the abdomen once daily, approved only for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is not approved for general growth-hormone or body-composition use, and the phase 3 evidence behind the label was generated in that HIV population.
| Human dosing established | Yes |
|---|---|
| Studied dose range | 1.4 mg once daily (2 mg once daily in earlier phase 3 formulation) |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Frequency | Once daily |
| Duration studied | Continuous; the label sets no fixed course length |
| Titration | None. The approved dose is fixed, with no escalation schedule. |
| Evidence level | FDA Approved |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-05 |
Research-reported dosing
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA label — EGRIFTA SV, HIV-associated lipodystrophyFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat | 1.4 mg (0.35 mL of the reconstituted solution) | Subcutaneous, into the abdomen with site rotation | Once daily | Not fixed by the label | Reduction of excess abdominal fat | EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) for injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| NCT00123253 — phase 3, HIV-associated lipodystrophyClinical trial · Phase 3 randomised placebo-controlled trial | Patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy (n=412) | 2 mg (TH9507) | Subcutaneous | Once daily | 26 weeks | Visceral adipose tissue | NCT00123253 — TH9507 in Patients With HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy |
| NCT00608023 — phase 3 extensionClinical trial · Phase 3 extension trial with posted results | Patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy (n=263) | 2 mg (TH9507) | Subcutaneous | Once daily | Extension beyond the initial 26 weeks | Durability of visceral fat reduction and safety | NCT00608023 — TH9507 Extension Study in Patients With HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy |
| NCT02572323 — phase 2, cognition in ageing HIVClinical trial · Phase 2 trial with posted results | Ageing adults with HIV (n=73) | Per trial protocol | Subcutaneous | Once daily | Per trial protocol | Cognition | NCT02572323 — Phase II Trial of Tesamorelin for Cognition in Aging HIV-Infected Persons |
Where sources disagree
- The approved 1.4 mg dose applies to the EGRIFTA SV formulation. The earlier phase 3 programme used 2 mg daily of the original TH9507 formulation; the two are not interchangeable, because the reformulation changed the delivered amount rather than the regimen.
- Every approved and trialled use of tesamorelin is in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Dosing quoted for general growth-hormone, anti-ageing or body-composition purposes has no approved indication and no phase 3 evidence in that population behind it.
Reconstitution
Common research vial sizes: 1.4 mg, 2 mg.
| Vial | Bacteriostatic water | Concentration | Per 0.01 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 mg (EGRIFTA SV) | 0.5 mL diluent supplied | 4 mg/mL | 40 mcg per 0.01 mL |
| 2 mg | 2 mL | 1 mg/mL | 10 mcg per 0.01 mL |
These figures are arithmetic only — they convert a vial and a volume into a concentration. They are not a recommendation to take any dose.
Calculate reconstitution & dose →Handling & administration
- Reconstitution Guide
- 3 mL BAC for 10 mg vial
- Injection Sites
- Abdomen
- Concentration Example
- 10 mg / 3 mL = ~3.33 mg/mL
- Timing Notes
- Bedtime
- Expected Onset
- 1-3 months for VAT
How to reconstitute Tesamorelin
- Check the vial size and diluent volume. The profile example for Tesamorelin is: 3 mL BAC for 10 mg vial.
- Swab both vial stoppers and draw the bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Add the water slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial so it does not jet onto the powder, then swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake.
- Record the resulting concentration: 10 mg / 3 mL = ~3.33 mg/mL.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, refrigerate it (see Storage & stability below), and use the calculator preset to convert a dose in mcg into syringe units.
Sequence & molecular data
| Amino acid sequence | trans-3-hexenoyl-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-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C221H366N72O67S |
| Molecular weight | 5135.9 g/mol |
| CAS number | 218949-48-5 |
| Half-life | 26-38 minutes |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 16137828 |
| FDA UNII | MQG94M5EEO |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog consisting of the GRF(1-44) sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to the N-terminus, a modification that protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage and extends its half-life. It binds the pituitary GHRH receptor, raising cyclic AMP and stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release with a downstream rise in IGF-1. Because release remains under normal somatostatin and IGF-1 feedback, the pattern is closer to physiological secretion than exogenous growth hormone produces. Its approved use targets visceral adipose tissue, which is more sensitive to growth-hormone-driven lipolysis than subcutaneous fat, and the effect reverses when treatment stops.
Origin
Trans-3-hexenoyl GHRH analog.
Targets
Studies
- Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity
- Effects of tesamorelin on hepatic transcriptomic signatures in HIV-associated NAFLD
- Tesamorelin
- Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
- Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Regulatory & research status
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Banned in Sport |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
Tesamorelin side effects
The effects below are drawn from Tesamorelin's prescribing information, which lists the full adverse-reaction data.
Side Effects
- Arthralgia
- Edema
- Hyperglycemia
- Injection reactions
Contraindications
- Cancer history
Stacking
Common stacking partners
Combinations that include Tesamorelin, with the proposed rationale, an evidence grade and what is not established, are catalogued in the peptide stacks directory.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Tesamorelin: frequently asked questions
What is Tesamorelin?
FDA-approved GHRH analog (Egrifta) to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. WADA still prohibits tesamorelin (S2) in sport. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog consisting of the GRF(1-44) sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to the N-terminus, a modification that protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage and extends its half-life. It binds the pituitary GHRH receptor, raising cyclic AMP and stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release with a downstream rise in IGF-1.
What are the side effects of Tesamorelin?
Side effects recorded for Tesamorelin from its prescribing information include arthralgia, edema, hyperglycemia and injection reactions. Cautions recorded on this profile: cancer history. It is on the WADA Prohibited List for athletes. Research-grade vials sold online are not the licensed product. This is reference information, not medical advice.
How does Tesamorelin work?
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog consisting of the GRF(1-44) sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to the N-terminus, a modification that protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage and extends its half-life. It binds the pituitary GHRH receptor, raising cyclic AMP and stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release with a downstream rise in IGF-1.
Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?
Yes. Tesamorelin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What is the half-life of Tesamorelin?
Reported half-life for Tesamorelin is 26-38 minutes. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
What is the amino acid sequence of Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin has the sequence trans-3-hexenoyl-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-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2, giving a chain of 44 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C221H366N72O67S.
Is Tesamorelin banned in sport?
Tesamorelin is recorded here as prohibited in sport. Athletes subject to anti-doping rules should check the current WADA Prohibited List directly, since it is revised annually and classifications change.
How long does Tesamorelin take to show effects in research protocols?
The research protocol on this profile lists an expected onset of 1-3 months for visceral adipose tissue (VAT). This is a protocol note describing when studies and researchers report observing changes, not a measured clinical outcome, and it varies with the model, dose and endpoint studied.
Where is Tesamorelin administered in research protocols?
Research protocols on this profile use subcutaneous administration, with recorded sites including abdomen. Site rotation and sterile technique are standard practice in the research literature; this describes protocol conditions and is not guidance for use.
Is tesamorelin the same as sermorelin?
No. Both are growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogues, but tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid sequence with a stabilising modification that resists enzymatic breakdown, while sermorelin is the shorter 1-29 fragment. Tesamorelin remains FDA-approved as Egrifta; sermorelin’s branded product was withdrawn.
Why is tesamorelin discussed outside its approved use?
Its approval is narrow: reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, measured by CT over 26 to 52 weeks in monitored trials. Interest extends further because visceral fat is not unique to that population, but that is an inference by analogy, not a trial finding. The trial population, imaging endpoint and IGF-1 monitoring do not transfer to unmonitored use of research-grade material.
Why is tesamorelin given daily when CJC-1295 is weekly?
Half-life. Tesamorelin is labelled for once-daily administration, while CJC-1295 with DAC binds albumin and circulates for days, so it is discussed on a weekly cadence. Both are GHRH analogues; the schedule difference comes from how long each stays in circulation, not from different mechanisms.
References
- FDA label — Egrifta WRExternal reference
- WADA Prohibited List 2026External reference
- Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity — J Infect Dis, 2025External reference
- Effects of tesamorelin on hepatic transcriptomic signatures in HIV-associated NAFLD — JCI Insight, 2020External reference
- Tesamorelin, 2012External reference
- Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy — Ann Pharmacother, 2012External reference
- Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy — Drugs, 2011External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
- CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin: Why the Pairing Exists and What the Vial Math Looks Like
- Sermorelin Dosage: A Discontinued Drug With a Second Life
- Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin: Two Receptors, One Approved Drug
- Tesamorelin vs CJC-1295: Same Receptor, Different Clock
- Tesamorelin vs. Sermorelin: Same Family, Different Standing
- Sermorelin Side Effects: What the Label Recorded
- FDA-Approved Peptides: The Complete List
- Sermorelin Before and After: What Results Are Plausible and What Photos Hide
- Sermorelin Tablets: Why Oral and Sublingual Forms Are a Hard Sell
- Sermorelin
- CJC-1295
- Peptide stacks: combinations by research goalStacks
- Peptide dosage chart: dose, route and frequencyCategory
- Tesamorelin calculator: reconstitution and syringe units
- How to store peptides before and after reconstitution
Related peptides
Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Sep 26, 2026 · Version 7
This Tesamorelin profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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