Summary
Tesamorelin is a stabilized form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It is the only GHRH analog currently approved in the US, for reducing visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and it has also been studied for fatty liver disease in that population.
Structure
Full-length human GHRH(1-44) with a trans-3-hexenoyl group on the N-terminus, which protects it from DPP-4 breakdown.
How it works
Tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary GHRH receptor, raising pulsatile growth hormone and IGF-1 while leaving the body’s feedback controls in place. That raises visceral fat breakdown.
Research use cases
Areas where Tesamorelin has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.
- Visceral adipose tissue reduction in HIV lipodystrophy (approved)
- Liver fat and fibrosis in HIV-associated NAFLD
- Cognitive function in older adults (small studies)
What the research found
Visceral fat
In 412 people with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation, tesamorelin reduced visceral fat by about 15% over 26 weeks compared with a small increase on placebo.1
Liver fat
In a 12-month randomized trial of people with HIV and NAFLD, tesamorelin reduced liver fat fraction and was associated with less fibrosis progression.2
Safety and open questions
Reported effects include joint pain, injection-site reactions, peripheral oedema and increased blood glucose. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and in people with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
Regulatory status
FDA-approved (Egrifta, 2010) to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Prescription only.
Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.
Tesamorelin: common questions
How is tesamorelin different from sermorelin?
Sermorelin is the first 29 amino acids of GHRH. Tesamorelin is the full 44-residue sequence with a protective N-terminal modification, giving it more stability. Only tesamorelin is currently approved in the US.
Is Tesamorelin approved for human use?
FDA-approved (Egrifta, 2010) to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Prescription only.
References
- Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. (2007). Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. New England Journal of Medicine.
- Stanley TL, Fourman LT, Feldpausch MN, et al. (2019). Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial. The Lancet HIV.
Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.