Tesamorelin is a stabilized synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) approved by the FDA under the brand name Egrifta, with a half-life of approximately 26 minutes and a once-daily subcutaneous dosing schedule. This page covers what it is, a worked reconstitution example, the standard protocol, storage, and FAQ.
Tesamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone analog approved by the FDA for reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It works by signaling the pituitary gland to produce more natural growth hormone. Tesamorelin is sold under the brand name Egrifta and is used off-label in longevity research.
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44 amino acid analog of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with a single N-terminal modification (a trans-3-hexenoic acid group) that confers resistance to degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The modification extends the half-life enough to support a clinically useful once-daily dose while preserving the natural pulsatile pattern of GH release from the pituitary somatotrophs. Like all GHRH analogs, Tesamorelin binds the GHRH receptor on the anterior pituitary and triggers endogenous GH release through the somatotroph axis.
Tesamorelin was approved by the FDA in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta for the reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. It remains the only FDA-approved GHRH analog and is the only peptide on this page list with a clinical approval as a peptide therapeutic. The visceral fat reduction effect was the basis for approval, mediated through GH-stimulated lipolysis of visceral adipose tissue.
The off-label and research use of Tesamorelin has expanded to include investigation of visceral adiposity in non-HIV populations, NAFLD, IGF-1 elevation in aging populations, and cognitive endpoints. Research-grade Tesamorelin is sold for laboratory use and is not approved for human consumption outside the approved indication.
The approved Egrifta product is reconstituted with sterile water at the time of injection and used immediately. For research-grade Tesamorelin reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for multi-day storage, the worked example below uses a 5 mg vial and 2 mL of BAC water. Use the reconstitution calculator for different vial sizes.
| Input | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vial size | 5 mg (5000 mcg) | Lyophilized powder |
| BAC water added | 2 mL | Bacteriostatic water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol |
| Resulting concentration | 2.5 mg / mL | 5 mg divided by 2 mL |
| Approved dose | 1 mg (1000 mcg) | Once daily |
| Volume to draw at 1 mg | 0.40 mL | 1 mg divided by 2.5 mg / mL |
| Units on 1 mL (100 unit) syringe | 40 units | 0.40 mL multiplied by 100 |
| Volume to draw at 2 mg | 0.80 mL (80 units) | Higher research dose |
| Doses per vial at 1 mg | 5 doses | About 5 days per vial at the approved dose |
The table below summarizes the approved protocol and common research variants. This is reference information for research contexts only and is not a recommendation for human use beyond the approved indication.
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved (Egrifta) | 1 mg (1000 mcg) | Once daily, subcutaneous abdomen | Continuous, with periodic re-evaluation |
| Standard research | 1 mg | Once daily, evening | 12 to 26 weeks |
| Cycled research | 1 mg | Once daily, 5 days on / 2 days off | 12 weeks then taper |
| Higher dose research | 2 mg | Once daily | 8 weeks maximum (IGF-1 monitoring) |
Tesamorelin has a plasma half-life of approximately 26 minutes after subcutaneous injection. The N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification provides resistance to DPP-4, which extends the half-life relative to unmodified GHRH 1 to 44 (which clears in minutes). The half-life is intentionally short: it preserves the natural pulsatile pattern of GH release without producing a sustained, non-pulsatile elevation that would risk pituitary desensitization.
Once-daily subcutaneous dosing is the standard, typically given in the evening to align with the natural overnight GH pulse during deep sleep. Steady state IGF-1 elevation is reached after roughly 4 weeks at a given dose; visceral fat reduction is detectable at 12 to 26 weeks in published trials.
Lyophilized Tesamorelin is stable for months at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and for years at -20 degrees Celsius. Keep the vial sealed and shielded from light.
Reconstituted Tesamorelin is typically stable for 7 to 14 days when refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, kept upright, and shielded from light. The approved Egrifta product specifically calls for use within hours of reconstitution with sterile water; bacteriostatic water extends the stability window. Do not freeze. Discard if the solution becomes cloudy.
Swirl gently to dissolve. Do not shake.
Unmodified 1 to 29 GHRH fragment. The original of the class.
Read reference →Another stabilized GHRH analog, in two forms.
Read reference →Run your own vial size and BAC water volume through the calculator.
Open calculator →Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and CJC-1295 side by side.
Read article →Peptide AI Stack Intelligence is free on iOS and Android. Log every dose, track IGF-1, watch visceral biomarkers.