Tesamorelin

Egrifta, TH9507

A synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone analog used to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.

Molecular Profile

Formula C₂₂₁H₃₆₆N₇₂O₆₇S

Mol. Weight 5135.8 g/mol

Sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro...

Clinical Data Trials

Scientific Data Studies

Route	Dosage	Bioavailability
Subcutaneous (SC) 2 mg daily	2 mg daily	Low (4%)	SUB

How It Works

How It Works: Tesamorelin acts as a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), binding to receptors in the pituitary gland to stimulate the production and release of endogenous growth hormone.

Receptor Binding: Binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, activating adenylate cyclase and increasing cAMP levels.
Hormone Release: Prompts the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary.
Downstream Effects: Elevates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, promoting lipolysis and reducing visceral adipose tissue.

Pairs Well With

Latest Clinical Trials

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Terminated PHASE2 NCT01388920

Efficacy and Safety Study of Tesamorelin in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Subjects With Muscle Wasting

Theratechnologies

INTERVENTIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Terminated NCT01579695

Long-term Observational Study in HIV Subjects Exposed to EGRIFTA®

Theratechnologies

OBSERVATIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

Completed NCT03826160

Growth Hormone Dynamics and Cardiac Steatosis in HIV

Massachusetts General Hospital

OBSERVATIONAL

Updated Dec 15, 2025

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Latest Studies

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Utility 2

pubmed Jun 2, 2025

Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity.

Ellis. Ronald J RJ; Vaida. Florin F; Hu. Keren K; Dube. Michael M; Henry. Brook...

In a small 6‑month trial, the peptide tesamorelin helped people with HIV and belly fat lose a few centimeters around the waist, but it didn’t show a clear improvement in brain function compared to standard care. The study was short, had few participants, and lacked a placebo, so the cognitive benefit remains uncertain.

Utility 3

pubmed May 21, 2025

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in people with HIV.

Gattu. Arijeet K AK; Fourman. Lindsay T LT

People living with HIV often develop a liver condition called MASLD, which can get worse faster than in people without HIV. The disease is driven by both the usual causes of fatty liver and HIV‑specific issues like changes in body shape, chronic inflammation, leaky gut, and some HIV medicines. Early studies suggest that the growth‑hormone‑releasing peptide tesamorelin may help improve liver health in this group, but more research is needed.

Utility 3

pubmed May 12, 2025

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Attributed to Medication Use: A Pharmacovigilance Study.

Mihalache. Andrew A; Volfson. Emily E; Huang. Ryan R; Zuo. Kevin K; Persitz. Jon...

A big database of drug side‑effects shows that people taking tesamorelin report carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) far more often than expected – about 20 times higher than the average drug. For DIY health enthusiasts using tesamorelin to boost growth‑hormone effects, this means you should watch out for hand numbness, tingling, or wrist pain.

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