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Tesamorelin

GH Secretagogue
EgriftaTH9507

Overview

Tesamorelin, also known as Egrifta or TH9507, is a synthetic peptide analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is composed of a 44-amino acid sequence that mimics the natural GHRH, stimulating the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The synthesis of Tesamorelin involves recombinant DNA technology, allowing for precise replication of the GHRH structure. Researchers have primarily investigated Tesamorelin for its effects on reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Studies have shown that Tesamorelin can significantly decrease abdominal fat, improve lipid profiles, and potentially enhance cognitive function. Its effects on body composition and metabolism have made it a subject of interest in metabolic research. Tesamorelin acts by binding to the GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland, stimulating the release of endogenous growth hormone. This increase in growth hormone levels subsequently elevates insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and body composition. The pharmacokinetic profile of Tesamorelin indicates a half-life of approximately 4 hours when administered subcutaneously. It is stable under physiological conditions, with bioavailability primarily through subcutaneous injection. Researchers have noted that Tesamorelin is not effective when taken orally due to poor bioavailability. Currently, Tesamorelin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy in the United States. It is not approved for use in other conditions, and ongoing research is exploring its potential applications in other metabolic disorders. Regulatory status varies by country, with approvals and restrictions based on local health authority guidelines.

Mechanism of Action

Tesamorelin functions by binding to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptors on the pituitary gland, stimulating the secretion of growth hormone. This leads to increased levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of the metabolic effects associated with growth hormone.

Molecular Data

FormulaC221H366N72O67S
Molecular Weight5136 g/mol
CAS Number218949-48-5
PubChem CID16137828

Half-Life

Subcutaneous~4 hours
IntranasalNot applicable
OralPoor bioavailability

Subcutaneous administration is the primary route due to its effective bioavailability.

Storage

Lyophilized

Stable for 2+ years at -20°C, 12 months at 4°C

Reconstituted

Use within 14 days when refrigerated at 4°C

Avoid

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, direct light

Solvent

Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline recommended

Solubility

Tesamorelin is soluble in water and commonly reconstituted in bacteriostatic water for injection.

Legal Status

🇩🇪DE

Not approved as a medicinal product. Not a controlled substance. Sale as research chemical is a legal grey area.

🇺🇸US

Approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Not scheduled by the DEA.

🇦🇺AU

Data limited

🇬🇧UK

Data limited

Legal status information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory changes. Always verify with official government sources before making any decisions.

6 Research Publications

Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.

Review

The American journal of sports medicine · 2026

Researchers observed that while injectable peptide therapies show promise for healing injuries and enhancing sports performance, there is a significant lack of human clinical evidence to support their use. The study highlights the need for more research to understand the safety and effectiveness of these treatments in orthopaedic medicine.

  • BPC-157 showed potential benefits for tendon and muscle repair, but evidence from human trials is lacking.
  • TB-4 and TB-500 promoted tissue repair in animal studies, yet there is no human data available, and they are banned in sports.
  • GHK-Cu demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, but clinical data supporting its use for musculoskeletal conditions is absent.
PubMed

Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors.

Human

AIDS (London, England) · 2024

Researchers studied the effects of tesamorelin, a treatment for abdominal fat accumulation, in people with HIV who are taking integrase inhibitors. They found that tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral fat, liver fat, and improved body composition without worsening blood sugar levels.

  • Tesamorelin led to a significant reduction in visceral fat compared to placebo.
  • Participants on tesamorelin experienced a notable decrease in liver fat percentage.
  • The treatment was well tolerated, with similar rates of side effects between tesamorelin and placebo groups.
PubMed

Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Review

The Annals of pharmacotherapy · 2012

Researchers evaluated tesamorelin, a medication approved for treating fat distribution issues in people with HIV. They found that tesamorelin significantly reduced waist size and improved body image over 26 weeks of treatment, with sustained benefits noted in follow-up phases.

  • Tesamorelin significantly decreased waist circumference and visceral fat in HIV patients after 26 weeks.
  • Improvements in body image were also reported by participants in the studies.
  • The treatment showed no adverse effects on blood glucose and lipid levels during the trial periods.
PubMed

Spotlight on tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Review

BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy · 2011

Researchers studied tesamorelin, a synthetic hormone, for reducing excess abdominal fat in patients with HIV-related lipodystrophy. They found that tesamorelin effectively reduced visceral fat over 26 weeks and maintained this reduction when treatment continued, although fat reaccumulated after stopping the therapy.

  • Researchers observed that tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in patients with HIV-associated central fat accumulation.
  • The reduction in VAT was maintained for up to 52 weeks in patients who continued treatment.
  • Tesamorelin was generally well tolerated, with serious side effects occurring in less than 4% of patients.
PubMed

Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Review

Drugs · 2011

Researchers reviewed the use of tesamorelin, a synthetic hormone, for reducing excess abdominal fat in patients with HIV-related lipodystrophy. They found that tesamorelin effectively decreased visceral fat over 26 weeks, with continued benefits seen in longer-term use, although stopping treatment led to fat reaccumulation.

  • Researchers observed that tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue in patients with HIV-associated central fat accumulation.
  • The reduction in visceral fat was maintained for up to 52 weeks in patients who continued treatment.
  • Tesamorelin was generally well tolerated, with serious side effects occurring in less than 4% of patients.
PubMed

Tesamorelin.

Human

Nature reviews. Drug discovery · 2011

Researchers studied tesamorelin, a medication approved in 2010 for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with a condition called lipodystrophy. This treatment is designed to help manage body fat distribution in these individuals.

  • Tesamorelin was approved by the FDA specifically for HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.
  • The medication acts as a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue.
  • Researchers observed a reduction in excess abdominal fat among patients using tesamorelin.
PubMed

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This page is for informational and research purposes only. All information is based on published scientific literature. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice or replaces consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.