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Growth hormone axis

Tesamorelin

Also called Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR, TH9507

Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of the body's growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It is an FDA-approved prescription drug used to reduce extra belly fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy. It gets attention because it raises the body's own growth hormone rather than replacing it.

FDA-approvedApproved by the FDA for at least one use after large human trials.

All printable flashcards

Drawn from its published sequence: 44 residues, one bead each.

Overview

Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of the body's growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It is an FDA-approved prescription drug used to reduce extra belly fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy. It gets attention because it raises the body's own growth hormone rather than replacing it.

How it works

Established: tesamorelin binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary and stimulates the release of the body's own growth hormone, which in turn raises IGF-1. Growth hormone promotes breakdown of fat, and in clinical trials this reduced visceral (deep abdominal) fat. The N-terminal modification is designed to make the molecule more stable than native GRF.

What research shows

  • Two 26-week phase 3 placebo-controlled trials in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy: visceral fat fell 18% vs +2% on placebo (Study 1, n=410) and 14% vs 2% (Study 2, n=396), per the label.
  • In the pooled 26-week trial data (n=543 tesamorelin vs 263 placebo), injection-site reactions and joint pain were the most common side effects.

Doses studied in people

Study or labelDose usedSource
FDA label, EGRIFTA SV (HIV-associated lipodystrophy)1.4 mg once daily, subcutaneous1
FDA label, EGRIFTA WR (HIV-associated lipodystrophy), approved March 25, 20251.28 mg once daily, subcutaneous; label states EGRIFTA WR and EGRIFTA SV are not substitutable5

Approved doses differ by formulation (SV vs WR) and are not interchangeable; doses outside the labeled HIV-lipodystrophy use have not been established.

Read this first: these are the amounts given to participants in published studies or written on official prescribing labels, reported for reference. They are not recommendations. Trial doses were chosen for specific patients under medical supervision, and a dose that is safe in one person can be harmful in another.

Weekly protocol

How the schedule looks week by week. Each chart says where it comes from: a prescribing label, a clinical trial, or a protocol commonly reported online.

Egrifta WR label dosing

Prescribing label

One week

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7

Once daily · Subcutaneous injection

Dose by week

1.28 mgwk 1+
Course
Ongoing
Note
For HIV-associated abdominal fat (lipodystrophy). Egrifta WR and Egrifta SV are not interchangeable.
Source
EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information (FDA, revised 03/2025)

Egrifta SV label dosing

Prescribing label

One week

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7

Once daily · Subcutaneous injection

Dose by week

1.4 mgwk 1+
Course
Ongoing
Note
Older formulation; not interchangeable with Egrifta WR.
Source
EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) prescribing information

Reference only, not a recommendation. Label and trial schedules were set for specific patients under medical supervision. Use the calculator only to understand the arithmetic.

Safety

  • Label adverse reactions vs placebo (26 wk): injection-site reactions 17% vs 6%, joint pain 13% vs 11%, muscle pain 6% vs 2%, swelling in legs 6% vs 2%.
  • Raises IGF-1 and can cause glucose intolerance; new diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5%) in 5% vs 1% on placebo.
  • Contraindicated with disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis, active cancer, known hypersensitivity, and pregnancy.
  • Label warnings include possible tumor growth, fluid retention, allergic reactions, and higher death risk if used in acute critical illness.
  • Label states long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established; not indicated for weight loss.

Report side effects of any drug or product to the FDA through MedWatch. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Storage and stability

Egrifta SV vials: room temperature (20–25°C), protected from light, per label. Egrifta WR: room temperature before and after reconstitution, per manufacturer.

General lab handling, not instructions for personal use. See Storage and stability.

History

Developed by Theratechnologies (Canada). FDA first approved it as Egrifta on November 10, 2010 for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. A reformulated 2 mg-vial version, Egrifta SV, followed, and on March 25, 2025 FDA approved Egrifta WR (F8 formulation), which is mixed once a week and uses less than half the injection volume.

Common questions

Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?

Yes. It was approved as Egrifta in 2010 to reduce excess belly fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy 1. A newer version, Egrifta WR, was approved in March 2025 2.

What does the research show?

In two 26-week placebo-controlled trials in adults with HIV lipodystrophy, deep belly fat fell 18% and 14% versus little or no change on placebo 1.

What doses are on the FDA label?

The Egrifta SV label lists 1.4 mg once daily under the skin, and the Egrifta WR label lists 1.28 mg once daily 15. The labels say the two versions cannot be swapped for each other 5.

What are the side effects?

Injection-site reactions (17% vs 6% on placebo) and joint pain were most common 1. It can raise blood sugar, with new diabetes in 5% versus 1% on placebo, and must not be used in pregnancy or with active cancer 1.

Is tesamorelin banned in sport?

Yes. WADA's 2026 list prohibits it at all times as a GHRH analogue and names it 3.

Can tesamorelin be compounded?

It is not on FDA's 503A bulk-substance nomination list checked for this entry 4. It is available as an approved prescription product 1.

Sold in blends and stacks

Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin

Related compounds

Growth hormone axisFDA-approvedFlashcard

Sermorelin

Sermorelin acetate · GRF 1-29 NH2

Sermorelin is a short, lab-made piece of the body's growth-hormone-releasing hormone.

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

CJC-1295

CJC-1295 with DAC · CJC-1295 without DAC

CJC-1295 is a lab-made, modified version of the active part of growth-hormone-releasing hormone.

Growth hormone axisEarly human dataFlashcard

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin acetate · NNC 26-0161

Ipamorelin is a small lab-made peptide (five building blocks) that copies the hunger hormone ghrelin to make the pituitary release growth hormone.

Sources

  1. EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) prescribing information FDA label
  2. Theratechnologies: FDA approval of EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin F8), March 25, 2025 Regulatory
  3. WADA 2026 Prohibited List (in force 1 January 2026) Regulatory
  4. FDA: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A (categories list, updated May 14, 2026) Regulatory
  5. EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information, revised 3/2025 (Drugs.com mirror of FDA label) FDA label

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 · How we research · Found an error? See our corrections policy.