FDA ApprovedFDA Approved

Tesamorelin

GHRH Analog | Visceral Fat Reduction

Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog designed for treating HIV-associated lipodystrophy. This 44-amino acid peptide with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification selectively reduces visceral adipose tissue while preserving subcutaneous fat, making it unique among growth hormone therapies.

Daily dose

1.4-2 mg

Frequency

Once daily

Cycle length

Continuous

Storage

Powder: 2-8°C | Reconstituted: 20-25°C

Key benefits

FDA-approved formulation, selective visceral fat targeting, proven clinical efficacy, standardized dosing

How it works

Subcutaneous injection provides optimal bioavailability for GHRH receptor binding and pulsatile GH release stimulation

Dosage protocols

Goal

HIV Lipodystrophy (FDA Approved)

Dose

1.4 mg daily · Once daily

Route

Subcutaneous injection (abdomen)

Goal

Visceral Fat Reduction

Dose

2 mg daily · Once daily

Route

Subcutaneous injection (rotate sites)

Goal

Anti-aging/Body Composition

Dose

1-2 mg daily · 5-7 days/week

Route

Subcutaneous injection (evening)

Goal

NAFLD Treatment

Dose

2 mg daily · Once daily

Route

Subcutaneous injection for 12 months

Goal

Cognitive Enhancement

Dose

1 mg daily · Once daily

Route

Subcutaneous injection for 20 weeks

Goal

Research Protocol

Dose

1-2 mg daily · Daily

Route

Subcutaneous with cycle breaks

Research indications

weight Loss

HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy — FDA-approved indication showing 15-20% visceral fat reduction in clinical trials

Selective Visceral Fat Targeting — Unique mechanism spares subcutaneous fat while reducing harmful visceral adiposity

Sustained Fat Loss — Maintained weight loss with continuous treatment over 52+ weeks in clinical studies

metabolic

Triglyceride Reduction — 12.3% triglyceride reduction demonstrated in pooled analysis of clinical trials

Cholesterol Profile Improvement — 7.2% improvement in cholesterol/HDL ratio with daily 2mg dosing

NAFLD Treatment — 37% liver fat reduction over 12 months in HIV patients with fatty liver disease

muscle Growth

Lean Muscle Mass Preservation — Maintains muscle mass during fat loss, unlike conventional weight loss methods

Muscle Density Enhancement — Improved muscle composition and density through IGF-1 mediated mechanisms

IGF-1 Elevation — 26% increase in IGF-1 levels supporting muscle growth and recovery processes

Administration

injectable

Interactions

Monitor Combination

Ipamorelin — Synergistic GH stimulation possible. Monitor IGF-1 levels closely and consider dose adjustments to prevent excessive growth hormone elevation.

Use Caution

CJC-1295 — Both bind to pituitary GHRH receptors. Combining saturates receptors without amplifying GH release, risking receptor desensitization and blunted pulsatility. Choose one based on your protocol goals.

Avoid Combination

CJC-1295 with DAC — Both target GHRH receptors but with conflicting release patterns. Tesamorelin promotes pulsatile GH release while DAC provides continuous stimulation, disrupting natural GH rhythms and accelerating receptor downregulation.

Dose Dependent

Sermorelin — Similar GHRH mechanism but Tesamorelin has longer half-life. Low doses may be complementary, but higher doses risk excessive GH stimulation.

Monitor Combination

Insulin — Tesamorelin increases diabetes risk (3.3-fold). Monitor blood glucose closely and adjust insulin doses as needed during treatment.

Compatible

Metformin — No direct interactions reported. May help mitigate glucose intolerance risk associated with Tesamorelin therapy.

Use Caution

Prednisone — Decreases corticosteroid effectiveness. Consider increasing steroid doses or using alternative anti-inflammatory therapy.

Avoid Combination

Octreotide — Somatostatin analog directly blocks GH release, completely negating Tesamorelin's therapeutic effects.

Avoid Combination

Growth Hormone — Redundant and potentially dangerous combination. Risk of acromegaly and metabolic complications from excessive GH exposure.

Safety notes

Monitor blood glucose regularly - 3.3-fold increased diabetes risk documented

IGF-1 levels should be checked monthly - 47% exceed normal range at 26 weeks

Contraindicated in active malignancy or pituitary disorders

Common side effects include injection site reactions (17%) and joint pain (13%)

Research studies

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (2025)

Humans | 2 mg daily | 26 weeks | 0.40% reduction in 10-year ASCVD risk

Recent meta-analysis demonstrating cardiovascular risk reduction through improved metabolic parameters

View study →

Anti-inflammatory Effects Study (2021)

Humans | 2 mg daily | 12 months | Reduced pro-inflammatory mediators

Comprehensive analysis showing reduced VEGFA, TGFB1, and CSF1 inflammatory markers beyond metabolic effects

View study →

NAFLD Treatment Trial (2019)

Humans | 2 mg daily | 12 months | 37% liver fat reduction

Landmark study demonstrating significant hepatic fat reduction and prevented fibrosis progression in HIV patients with NAFLD

View study →

Cognitive Enhancement Study (2012)

Humans | 1 mg daily | 20 weeks | Improved executive function and verbal memory

Randomized controlled trial showing favorable cognitive effects in both healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment using 1mg daily dose

View study →

CTR-1011 Extended Safety Study (2011)

Humans | 2 mg daily | 26-52 weeks | 69% achieved ≥8% VAT reduction

Long-term safety and efficacy study showing sustained visceral fat reduction with 69% responder rate vs 33% placebo

View study →

LIPO-010 FDA Approval Trial (2010)

Humans | 2 mg subcutaneous daily | 26 weeks | 15.4% VAT reduction vs placebo

Pivotal Phase III trial demonstrating significant visceral adipose tissue reduction (-24 ± 41 cm² vs +2 ± 35 cm² placebo, p < 0.001) in HIV patients with lipodystrophy

View study →

Related compounds

Sermorelin CJC-1295 with DAC CJC-1295 (no DAC) / Ipamorelin Protocol HGH (Somatropin)