Tesamorelin

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Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
Tesamorelin cuts deep belly fat and lowers blood fats. It is approved for the fat changes that come with HIV treatment. The fat returns after treatment stops.
How it works
A stabilised copy of the natural hormone that controls growth hormone, injected daily. It raises the body's own growth hormone, which makes the body release the fat stored around the organs.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

Tesamorelin (also known as TH9507) is a modified peptide studied for its effects on growth hormone and fat loss. FDA-approved synthetic GHRH analog that reduces visceral abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy via GH/IGF-1 stimulation. Daily injection. Banned by WADA.

Tesamorelin is a synthetic form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) which is used in the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy, approved initially in 2010. It is produced and developed by Theratechnologies, Inc. of Canada. The drug is a synthetic peptide consisting of all 44 amino acids of human GHRH with the addition of a trans-3-hexenoic acid group.

Natty status
Tesamorelin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

As a growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog, it is prohibited by WADA under category S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances), banned both in and out of competition.

Mechanism of action

Stimulates growth hormone release, lowering visceral abdominal fat and triglycerides. FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Daily subcutaneous injection; fat reaccumulates when stopped.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Daily 2 mg subcutaneous dosing reduced visceral adipose tissue by 15.2% and lowered triglycerides by 50 mg/dL over 26 weeks in 412 HIV patients with antiretroviral-associated abdominal fat accumulation, versus placebo. [1] Phase III
  • Continued daily dosing sustained an 18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue and a 51 mg/dL reduction in triglycerides over 52 weeks, and the visceral fat reaccumulated after treatment was stopped. [3][2] Phase III
  • Treatment raised IGF-1 levels by 81% over 26 weeks without significant changes in glycemic measures. [1][2] Phase III
  • A meta-analysis of four randomised trials in 909 HIV patients with lipodystrophy found reduced visceral adipose tissue, waist circumference and trunk fat, increased lean body mass, and a modest total-cholesterol reduction, alongside growth-hormone-related adverse effects and a non-significant rise in discontinuation. [6] Phase III
  • Six months of treatment improved patient-rated belly appearance distress and physician-rated belly profile compared with placebo. [2] Phase III
  • In HIV patients with fatty liver or abdominal fat accumulation, daily treatment reduced liver fat over 6 to 12 months versus placebo, including a 37% relative reduction in hepatic fat fraction at 12 months, with no significant difference in fasting glucose at the end of treatment. [5][4] Phase II

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

General

  • 2 mg subcutaneous injection once daily (FDA-approved dose for HIV-associated lipodystrophy)
  • Egrifta SV / Egrifta WR: reconstituted from single-vial powder, 2 mg administered daily
  • Inject into the abdomen, rotating sites to limit lipoatrophy
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy and in active malignancy

Continued use required to maintain visceral

  • fat reduction; benefits reverse on discontinuation

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

Tesamorelin is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[7] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

3 active clinical trials on record — highest phase: Phase 2. 24 registered in total , of which 14 completed — highest phase ever: Phase 4
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 5, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 10 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

CJC-1295 Not natty
Raises growth hormone 2-10 fold and IGF-1 for over a week per injection. Weekly subcutaneous dosing. Investigational only; cardiovascular risks and product-quality concerns.
IGF-1 LR3 Not natty
Long-acting IGF-1 analog studied preclinically for muscle growth and tissue repair. No peer-reviewed human evidence of benefit. Risks include hypoglycemia, joint pain, unproven cancer concerns.
Delta-sleep-inducing peptide Not natty
A neuropeptide named for inducing delta EEG sleep activity in animals, though its own link to human sleep is weak and poorly characterized. Shows preclinical antiepileptic activity.
Epithalon Not natty
Marketed as an anti-aging peptide. In preclinical studies it boosts telomerase activity, supports the body's own melatonin production, and shows antioxidant effects. Human evidence is minimal.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tesamorelin?

FDA-approved synthetic GHRH analog that reduces visceral abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy via GH/IGF-1 stimulation. Daily injection. Banned by WADA.

What is Tesamorelin used for?

Tesamorelin cuts deep belly fat and lowers blood fats. It is approved for the fat changes that come with HIV treatment. The fat returns after treatment stops.

How does Tesamorelin work?

A stabilised copy of the natural hormone that controls growth hormone, injected daily. It raises the body's own growth hormone, which makes the body release the fat stored around the organs.

Is Tesamorelin natty?

No. Tesamorelin is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is Tesamorelin banned by WADA?

Yes. Tesamorelin is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is Tesamorelin administered?

Tesamorelin is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. a b Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV (pivotal Phase 3 RCT, N Engl J Med 2007)
  2. a b c Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation (Phase 3 RCT, J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2010)
  3. ^ Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin (Phase 3 extension, AIDS 2008)
  4. ^ Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients (RCT, JAMA 2014)
  5. ^ Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV (RCT, Lancet HIV 2019) Recent
  6. ^ Efficacy and Safety of Tesamorelin in People Living With HIV (PLWH) With Lipodystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Recent review
  7. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Growth hormone | GHRH | Fat loss | Subcutaneous

This page was last updated on October 5, 2026, at 07:31 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 5, 2026.

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