--- title: "Tesamorelin: what sources report" url: https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides/tesamorelin site: humanpeptides.fyi last_reviewed: 2026-10-11 --- # Tesamorelin > humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own. Every statement below reports what a cited source says, with its link. Not medical advice. Tesamorelin: Stabilized synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44) that stimulates the pituitary to release endogenous GH (raising IGF-1). The sources cited here most often discuss it for: Less deep belly fat; Less liver fat in HIV; Cognition in older adults, one trial. Evidence label: Approved (specific use). ## At a glance - **Type:** Peptide - **Family:** Growth Hormone Axis - **Evidence label:** Approved (specific use) (5 of 5) - **Regulatory status:** FDA-approved since 2010 and available in two formulations, Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy; the label states it is not indicated for weight loss management. - **Goals discussed:** Fat Loss & Metabolism, Heart, Liver & Kidney, Focus & Cognition - **Also called:** Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR, TH9507, tesa, Tesa - **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-11 ## What is Tesamorelin? - Stabilized synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44) that stimulates the pituitary to release endogenous GH (raising IGF-1); FDA-approved as Egrifta/Egrifta WR to reduce excess abdominal (visceral) fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy; not approved for general weight loss. Sources: **Regulatory status:** FDA-approved since 2010 and available in two formulations, Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy; the label states it is not indicated for weight loss management. Source: ## What is Tesamorelin researched for? ### 1. Less deep belly fat - Reduces visceral adipose tissue (deep belly fat) with little change in subcutaneous fat (FDA label; pooled phase 3 RCTs in HIV) Sources: , , - Goals: [Fat Loss & Metabolism](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/fat-loss) ### 2. Less liver fat in HIV - Reduces liver fat in HIV-associated NAFLD (hepatic fat fraction -4.1 points vs placebo over 12 months; human RCT) Sources: , - Goals: [Heart, Liver & Kidney](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/organs) ### 3. Cognition in older adults, one trial - Improved executive function and overall cognition over 20 weeks in adults with MCI and healthy older adults (human RCT, n=152) Sources: , - Goals: [Focus & Cognition](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/mind) ## What do researchers and users say about Tesamorelin? > "Twenty weeks of GHRH administration had favorable effects on cognition in both adults with MCI and healthy older adults." > > Baker LD, et al., Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial. Context: Randomized placebo-controlled trial of tesamorelin in 152 adults aged 55 to 87, 66 with mild cognitive impairment (Arch Neurol, 2012). > "EGRIFTA WR is not indicated for weight loss management as it has a weight neutral effect." > > US FDA prescribing information (Egrifta WR), EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information. Context: Limitations of use in the FDA-approved label, revised March 2025. > "Better sleep for sure, deeper sleep, better pumps, nothing visual by the 8 week mark when I hopped off." > > Anonymous user, r/Peptidesource, Tesamorelin Effects. Context: Unverified self-report in a forum thread where users describe mixed felt and visual effects. ## What side effects of Tesamorelin are reported? - Injection-site reactions (25% vs 14% placebo), arthralgia, edema, myalgia, carpal tunnel symptoms, elevated IGF-1, glucose intolerance/diabetes, hypersensitivity; contraindicated in pregnancy and with active malignancy or pituitary disorders (FDA label) Sources: , - Anti-drug antibodies developed in about half of trial patients, and about 60% of those cross-reacted with the body's own GHRH; antibodies were found in 85% of people who had hypersensitivity reactions. (FDA label) Sources: - Label warns that increased mortality has been reported with growth hormone treatment in acute critical illness, such as after major surgery, trauma or respiratory failure. (FDA label) Sources: - Long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established. (FDA label) Sources: - May affect adrenal hormone (glucocorticoid) replacement needs in people with adrenal insufficiency, and may interact with drugs metabolized by CYP450 enzymes. (FDA label) Sources: ## What do peptide guides say about Tesamorelin? - **Dr. Axe:** Dr. Axe groups tesamorelin with the few research-focused peptides that are FDA-approved for a specific use, here a single HIV-related belly fat condition, and notes it is banned in tested sports. - **PepEdHub:** PepEdHub describes tesamorelin as a GHRH analog with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification for stability, cutting visceral fat through growth-hormone-driven fat breakdown while leaving fat under the skin largely unchanged. - **Seek Peptides:** Seek Peptides frames tesamorelin as more targeted at belly (visceral) fat than general weight-loss peptides, noting HIV-associated lipodystrophy was its original approved use. - **PubMed:** In the same cognition trial, tesamorelin raised IGF-1 by 117% while staying in the normal range and cut body fat by 7.4%, but mild adverse events were reported by 68% vs 36% on placebo. ## What does the research say, system by system? ### Body & tissues - Targets visceral abdominal fat and liver fat (human RCTs) )30338-8/abstract Sources: - Joint pain, limb pain, peripheral edema and myalgia are common (FDA label) Sources: ### Hormones & physiology - Raises endogenous GH and IGF-1 (IGF-1 +117% in older-adult trial) while preserving pulsatile GH Sources: - Can cause glucose intolerance; monitor IGF-1 and glucose (FDA label) Sources: ### Brain, mood & sleep - Improved executive function in MCI/older adults (human RCT) Sources: - No significant cognitive benefit in people with HIV and abdominal obesity at 6 months (phase 2 trial) Sources: - Users report better sleep and recovery (anecdotal Reddit) Sources: ### Weight & metabolism - Reduces VAT ~15-18% over 26-52 weeks but not intended for weight loss (FDA label, phase 3) Sources: - Body fat decreased 7.4% in older adults over 20 weeks Sources: - Users report tighter midsection after 4-8 weeks, though often confounded by GLP-1s/diet (anecdotal) Sources: , ### Muscle - Increased lean body mass in HIV phase 3 trials (pooled analysis) Sources: ### Also notable - VAT reductions reverse after stopping treatment (FDA label) Sources: ## How strong is the evidence for Tesamorelin? **Approved (specific use)** (5 of 5). FDA-approved, strong human RCT data for visceral fat in HIV; human RCT evidence for liver fat and cognition; off-label body-composition use mostly anecdotal _Approved by the FDA (or a major regulator) for at least one specific use. Approval covers that use only, not the other benefits listed._ ## Street names and stacks - Street names: [Tesa](https://humanpeptides.fyi/street-names#nick-tesa) ## Questions about Tesamorelin ### What is Tesamorelin? Stabilized synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44) that stimulates the pituitary to release endogenous GH (raising IGF-1). ### Is Tesamorelin FDA-approved? FDA-approved since 2010 and available in two formulations, Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy; the label states it is not indicated for weight loss management. ### What is Tesamorelin researched for? The sources cited on this page most often discuss three outcomes: Less deep belly fat; Less liver fat in HIV; Cognition in older adults, one trial. Each line above shows what the source reports and how strong that evidence is. ### What side effects of Tesamorelin are reported? Reported in the cited sources: Injection-site reactions (25% vs 14% placebo), arthralgia, edema, myalgia, carpal tunnel symptoms, elevated IGF-1, glucose intolerance/diabetes, hypersensitivity; contraindicated in pregnancy and with active malignancy or pituitary disorders; Anti-drug antibodies developed in about half of trial patients, and about 60% of those cross-reacted with the body's own GHRH; antibodies were found in 85% of people who had hypersensitivity reactions; Label warns that increased mortality has been reported with growth hormone treatment in acute critical illness, such as after major surgery, trauma or respiratory failure. The list is not complete, and few listed risks does not mean a compound is safe. ### How strong is the evidence for Tesamorelin? Evidence label: Approved (specific use). FDA-approved, strong human RCT data for visceral fat in HIV; human RCT evidence for liver fat and cognition; off-label body-composition use mostly anecdotal. ### What else is Tesamorelin called? Names used for it include Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR, TH9507, tesa, Tesa. ### Does humanpeptides.fyi recommend Tesamorelin? No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims and no recommendations of its own. It summarizes and links to what others have published and posted. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to a licensed clinician. --- Family: [Growth Hormone Axis](https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides?cat=gh-axis). HTML version: . Disclaimer: