Peptides
Tesamorelin
What is it?
Tesamorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing-hormone analog. The FDA-approved Egrifta products treat excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. This is a specific medical use, not a general weight-loss or physique indication. [1]
How does it work?
It stimulates the body's release of growth hormone, increasing IGF-1 and changing visceral-fat metabolism. Visceral fat is the fat around internal organs; it is different from all body fat or the layer directly under the skin. [1]
What have human studies found?
In a randomized trial of 412 adults with HIV and excess abdominal fat, visceral fat decreased 15.2% with daily tesamorelin and increased 5.0% with placebo over 26 weeks. A pooled analysis of two controlled trials also found about a 15% treatment effect. These results support the approved use; they do not show the same effect in otherwise healthy bodybuilders. [2,3]
What should you know before considering it?
The current Egrifta WR label says it is not indicated for weight-loss management and has a weight-neutral effect. Active malignancy, pregnancy, and some pituitary conditions are contraindications. Clinicians monitor IGF-1, fluid retention, and glucose. [1]
APPROVED EGRIFTA WR DOSE
How much?
FORM & SCHEDULE
What it refers to
subcutaneous once daily for HIV lipodystrophy
A clinician monitors IGF-1 and glucose. Active cancer, pregnancy, and certain pituitary conditions are contraindications.
1.28 mg — Egrifta WR subcutaneous injection once daily for the approved HIV-associated lipodystrophy indication. Egrifta SV is a different formulation with a different dose; they are not substitutable. [1]
Read detailed dosing notes
The 2 mg daily amount in older trials and the 1.28 mg Egrifta WR label dose should not be treated as interchangeable formulations. This is prescription-label context, not a bodybuilding protocol. [1–3]
Sources & further reading
- FDA/DailyMed. Egrifta WR prescribing information (opens in a new tab)dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- Falutz et al. (2007). Metabolic effects of tesamorelin in patients with HIV (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Moyle et al. (2010). Pooled analysis of tesamorelin phase 3 trials (opens in a new tab)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov