What it is
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone, stabilised by a trans-3-hexenoyl group at the N-terminus. It has been studied mainly in adults with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation. It is one of the few growth hormone axis peptides with completed Phase 3 trials and published long-term data.
How it works
It binds the GHRH receptor in the pituitary and stimulates pulsatile growth hormone release, which raises circulating IGF-1. The reduction in visceral adipose tissue observed in trials is thought to follow that stimulation of the growth hormone axis rather than a direct action on fat cells.
Regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research compound
- In clinical trials
- Approved medicine
Approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA for at least one indication. Approval covers the named indication and formulation only.
What published research is studying
- Visceral adipose tissue in adults with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation (Phase 3)
- Hepatic fat fraction and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults with HIV
- IGF-1, triglyceride, and cholesterol responses during dosing
- Re-accumulation of visceral fat after dosing stops
Key findings
In a 26-week randomised placebo-controlled trial in 412 adults with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation, visceral adipose tissue fell 15.2% in the tesamorelin arm, against a 5.0% rise on placebo.
Falutz J et al., N Engl J Med 2007In a 6-month randomised trial in 50 adults with HIV, visceral fat fell 34 square centimetres in the tesamorelin arm, against an 8 square centimetre rise on placebo.
Stanley TL et al., JAMA 2014In a 12-month randomised trial in 61 adults with HIV and fatty liver, 35% of the tesamorelin arm reached hepatic fat below 5%, versus 4% on placebo.
Stanley TL et al., Lancet HIV 2019
What the studies measured
Study durations
- Phase 3 visceral fat trial: 26 weeks (NCT00123253).
- Liver fat trial: 6 months (NCT01263717).
- Fatty liver disease trial: 12 months blinded, followed by a 6-month open-label extension (NCT02196831).
Endpoints
- Visceral adipose tissue area by computed tomography
- Hepatic fat fraction by magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- IGF-1 concentration
- Triglycerides and total cholesterol to HDL ratio
- Body composition and waist circumference
How strong is the evidence?
Human evidence is substantial and randomised, but almost all of it comes from adults living with HIV, so findings in other populations remain untested.
Common questions
Is Tesamorelin an approved medicine?
Approved medicine. Approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA for at least one indication. Approval covers the named indication and formulation only.
How much human research is there on Tesamorelin?
Human evidence is substantial and randomised, but almost all of it comes from adults living with HIV, so findings in other populations remain untested.
Does UU supply Tesamorelin?
Yes, as premium-grade research material for laboratory use. Every batch is tested by an independent lab and the certificate of analysis is published.