Tesamorelin Research Guide: GHRH Analog, Visceral Fat & Half-Life
Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH analog with the most robust visceral-fat-reduction data of any growth-hormone secretagogue studied in humans.
What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44). A single N-terminal hexenoyl modification protects it from rapid DPP-IV degradation, giving it a meaningfully longer half-life than native GHRH while preserving full GHRH-receptor agonism.
It is the only GHRH analog with full FDA approval (as Egrifta) for a specific human indication — HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Mechanism and key data
Like CJC-1295, Tesamorelin binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotropes and stimulates pulsatile GH release, which raises hepatic IGF-1.
Compliance reminder
Tesamorelin is sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any disease.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid GHRH analog with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification that increases stability against DPP-IV degradation. A separate, prescription tesamorelin product (Egrifta) is approved in the United States for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; the research material listed here is not that product and is not approved for any human use.
What does the literature show?
Phase-3 trials in HIV-lipodystrophy patients showed roughly 15–18% reductions in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) over 26 weeks compared to placebo, with corresponding rises in IGF-1.