Tesamorelin

What it is

Tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid growth hormone releasing hormone with a small fatty-acid group added to the start. The addition protects it from enzymes and lets it act longer than the natural hormone.

How it works

It stimulates the pituitary GHRH receptor, increasing natural growth hormone and IGF-1. Higher growth hormone shifts fat metabolism and reduces visceral (deep abdominal) fat in particular.

What the research shows

• Phase 3 trials in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy showed about a 15 to 18% reduction in visceral fat over 26 weeks (Falutz et al., NEJM, 2007).
• Studies have also looked at liver fat in people with HIV and fatty liver disease.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved in 2010 (Egrifta) to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. Requires a prescription. It is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Storage and handling

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder is most stable sealed, dry and protected from light. Laboratory practice is to keep unopened vials frozen at about -20 °C for long-term storage, or refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C for shorter periods. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and use aseptic technique for every draw. Formal stability data in solution has not been published for most research peptides, so follow the supplier's label and certificate of analysis.

Reconstitution math

To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with Tesamorelin selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.

Key references

• Falutz J et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2007.
• Search PubMed for Tesamorelin studies
• Official drug labeling on DailyMed

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