Tesamorelin
2 mg · Daily
Robert
Founder, F*CK Getting Old — independent researcher, not a medical professional.
Last reviewed · 2 cited sources
Evidence
- Human Studies
- 25
- Animal Studies
- 15
- Clinical Status
- FDA Approved
- Confidence
- Moderate
- Long-Term Safety
- Well-established for the approved indication through Phase 3 trials and post-approval use; off-label general use in men without HIV-lipodystrophy is far less studied
What this score is: a measure of how much research exists and how far along it is (animal-only vs. human trials, research-stage vs. FDA approved) — not how safe, effective, or worth trying a compound is. A low score usually means “early stage” or “understudied,” not “bad.” A high score doesn’t mean “better” for your goals than a lower-scored one.
This is not my personal rating of the compound, not a recommendation, and not medical advice. It’s a general research synthesis for informational purposes only, not a live literature count. See the linked research and talk to a licensed clinician before making decisions based on it.
Mechanism
Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH analogue that stimulates pituitary GH release. It is FDA-approved (as Egrifta) specifically for reducing excess visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and is one of the few GH secretagogues with real Phase 3 trial data — though not for general anti-aging or fat-loss use in men without that condition.
Common Protocols
- 2 mg subcutaneous daily per approved labeling for its indicated use
- Off-label use for general visceral fat reduction is common but outside what the trials studied
Side Effects
- Injection site reactions (common)
- Joint pain, swelling in extremities from fluid retention
- Can raise blood glucose — monitor if pre-diabetic or diabetic
Interactions
- May reduce effectiveness of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 — flag any other prescription medications to a clinician
Practical Details
- Cost
- $$$
- Typical Vial Size
- 10 mg
- Storage
- Refrigerate after reconstitution
Key Studies & Reviews
- Falutz J et al. (2010). Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. PMID 20554713.
- Adrian S et al. (2019). Tesamorelin decreases muscle fat and increases muscle area in adults with HIV. J Frailty Aging. PMID 31237318.
Search the Research
Tesamorelin FAQ
What is the typical Tesamorelin dosage?
Commonly reported protocols: 2 mg subcutaneous daily per approved labeling for its indicated use; Off-label use for general visceral fat reduction is common but outside what the trials studied. Our reference entry uses 2 mg, Daily. These reflect protocols reported in research and user communities, not a medical recommendation — dosing should be decided with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Tesamorelin?
Reported side effects include: Injection site reactions (common); Joint pain, swelling in extremities from fluid retention; Can raise blood glucose — monitor if pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for specific medical indications (described in the summary above). Use for anything else is off-label and should be supervised by a prescriber.
How much research is there on Tesamorelin?
Our evidence profile counts roughly 25 human and 15 animal studies, with moderate overall confidence. Long-term safety: Well-established for the approved indication through Phase 3 trials and post-approval use; off-label general use in men without HIV-lipodystrophy is far less studied.
Does Tesamorelin interact with other drugs or supplements?
May reduce effectiveness of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 — flag any other prescription medications to a clinician.
How do I reconstitute Tesamorelin?
A common setup is a 10 mg vial mixed with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, which puts a 2 mg dose at about 40 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Use the reconstitution calculator with your own vial and dose to get exact numbers. Storage: Refrigerate after reconstitution.
Related compounds
GHRH analogue; FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy