Tesamorelin
Muscle & Strength · Stabilized GHRH analog
Tier B-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Tesamorelin as B- (5.8/10) based on strong evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a med-high-risk safety profile.
Only FDA-approved GHRH analog for metabolic indication.
Typical use: 1. — Rx (Egrifta/Egrifta SV) for HIV lipodystrophy; off-label for visceral fat reduction.
What this is
Only FDA-approved GHRH analog for metabolic indication. Stanley 2014 NEJM showed liver fat reduction in HIV patients with NAFLD. Notable worsening of insulin sensitivity limits cohort applicability. Expensive at list price; becoming more common in off-label metabolic/longevity prescribing.
Mechanism
Synthetic trans-3-hexenoic acid-modified GHRH(1-44); FDA-approved (Egrifta) 2010 for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; reduces visceral adipose tissue
Dose & route
1.4 mg (Egrifta SV) or 2 mg (Egrifta) subQ daily
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25089071/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25289682/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20554977/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28400207/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39731401/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36727674/
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Common questions
- Does Tesamorelin work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Tesamorelin as Strong and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B- (5.8/10). Only FDA-approved GHRH analog for metabolic indication.
- Is Tesamorelin safe?
- Tesamorelin has a med-high risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx (Egrifta/Egrifta SV) for HIV lipodystrophy; off-label for visceral fat reduction. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Tesamorelin?
- 1.4 mg (Egrifta SV) or 2 mg (Egrifta) subQ daily
- How does Tesamorelin work?
- Synthetic trans-3-hexenoic acid-modified GHRH(1-44); FDA-approved (Egrifta) 2010 for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; reduces visceral adipose tissue
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.