Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin (sometimes written as TH9507 or Egrifta®) is a stabilized 44-amino-acid analog of human growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH(1-44)). It is the only GHRH analog currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a chronic indication. Branded marketing rights are held by Theratechnologies Inc. (Montreal).

Peppudex card: see the mechanism + evidence-grade summary at [Peppudex / Tesamorelin](https://peppudex.com/peptides/tesamorelin).

Overview

The native human GHRH(1-44) is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and has a plasma half-life of approximately 7 minutes. Tesamorelin carries an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification on the first amino acid (tyrosine), which protects against DPP-IV cleavage and extends half-life sufficiently for once-daily dosing.

Mechanism

• Binds the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs
• Stimulates pulsatile growth-hormone release approximating natural diurnal pattern
• Resulting GH elevation drives hepatic IGF-1 production
• Net effect in lipodystrophic patients: preferential lipolysis of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with little change in subcutaneous adipose

See: GHRH_receptor, Growth_hormone, IGF-1.

Evidence

Tesamorelin has a stronger human-clinical evidence base than any other peptide in this catalog except Semaglutide and Tirzepatide:

• Pivotal Phase 3 program (HIV lipodystrophy). Pooled analysis of two multicenter trials enrolling 806 ART-treated HIV patients with excess abdominal fat reported a 15.4% treatment effect on visceral adipose tissue at 26 weeks (Falutz et al., JCEM 2010; PMID 20554713). A separate single-trial readout reported similar findings (Falutz et al., JAIDS 2010; PMID 20101189).
• NASH/MAFLD trials. Subsequent clinical programs investigated tesamorelin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and HIV-associated NAFLD; results are published in the peer-reviewed literature.
• No completed Phase 3 program for indications outside the FDA-approved HIV-lipodystrophy label.

Dosing literature

FDA-approved label (Egrifta®, Egrifta SV®). 2 mg once daily by subcutaneous injection in the abdominal area; rotate injection sites. The label is reproduced here for reference only. Any human use should be under qualified clinical supervision and is outside the scope of research-use Peppu Studio supply.

Storage

• Lyophilized branded product per FDA label: stable until expiration.
• Lyophilized research-grade material: 2–8 °C, stable 12+ months.
• Reconstituted: 2–8 °C, use within 28 days. See Reconstitution.

Regulatory status

• United States. FDA-approved as Egrifta® (2010) and Egrifta SV® (reformulated 2019) for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. ([FDA approval letter](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022505Orig1s000Approv.pdf))
• WADA. Prohibited at all times under Section S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics) in the GHRH-analog sub-category. ([2026 WADA Prohibited List](https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf))
• Compounding. Research-grade tesamorelin sold as a chemical reference compound is distinct from the FDA-approved Egrifta® formulation and is not for human use.

See also

• CJC-1295 · GHRH(1-29) analog
• Ipamorelin · GH-axis ghrelin agonist
• Growth_hormone
• [Peppudex card · Tesamorelin](https://peppudex.com/peptides/tesamorelin) · mechanism, evidence grades A-F, FAQs, peer-reviewed sources

References

• Falutz J, Mamputu JC, Potvin D, et al. "Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data." J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010;95(9):4291-4304. PMID 20554713.
• Falutz J, Potvin D, Mamputu JC, et al. "Effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor, in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial with a safety extension." J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2010;53(3):311-22. PMID 20101189.