Education only · provider review required
Tesamorelin · Growth-hormone pathway, with an FDA approval
The one GHRH analogue with an approved indication — and what that approval does and does not cover.
Medically reviewed by Bernard Garcia, MD
What it is
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Unlike most peptides discussed on this site, it is an FDA-approved prescription medicine under the brand name Egrifta, approved in 2010 for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
That approval is narrow. It is what makes tesamorelin unusual — a real safety and efficacy file exists — and also what people tend to misread: approval for one condition is not evidence for others.
How it works
In pharmacology studies tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary's own growth-hormone release, which in turn raises IGF-1. The approved trials measured visceral fat by CT scan in a specific patient population over 26–52 weeks. Any use outside that population is off-label and is a prescriber's decision, with monitoring of IGF-1 and glucose typically discussed.
Research status
| Research area | Status |
|---|---|
| HIV-associated abdominal fat | FDA-approved (Egrifta) |
| Growth-hormone / IGF-1 pharmacology | Human data from approval program |
| Cognition, general body composition | Small or early studies · off-label |
| Long-term use in healthy adults | Not established |
Status reflects published research context only and is not a statement of safety, efficacy, or suitability for any person.
Is it legal?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (Egrifta / Egrifta SV / Egrifta WR) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Use for any other purpose is off-label. It is a prescription-only medicine; compounded versions exist in a grey area that a provider will explain. This is a general note, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is tesamorelin the same as sermorelin?
No. Both are GHRH analogues, but tesamorelin holds a current FDA approval for a specific condition, while sermorelin's approval was withdrawn for commercial reasons. They have different formulations and evidence files.
Can it be prescribed for weight loss?
Not as an approved use. Any such prescription would be off-label and a licensed provider's decision after review; this site does not recommend it.
What monitoring is discussed in the label?
The approved label discusses IGF-1 levels, glucose, and contraindications including active malignancy and pregnancy. A provider covers what applies to you.
Next step
Next step: a 3-minute confidential intake, reviewed by a licensed provider. No treatment is promised or implied.
Free · about 10 minutes · reviewed by a licensed physician
General education · Not medical advice · Provider approval required