Tesamorelin: what the research shows
A growth-hormone-releasing medicine studied for changes in visceral fat, the deep fat around the organs.
Also known as Egrifta
At a glance
−15.2%
deep belly fat in 26 weeks
26-week lipodystrophy trial · 412 adults · placebo: +5.0%
Egrifta is approved in the US for a narrowly defined prescription indication involving excess abdominal fat. It is not approved for general weight-loss management.
What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a stabilized copy of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH).
How does Tesamorelin work?
It raises the body’s own growth hormone, which helps break down visceral fat, the deep fat packed around the organs.
What does the research show?
- In a 26-week trial of 412 adults with lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat, visceral fat fell by 15.2% on tesamorelin and rose by 5.0% on placebo.
- Triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, also improved.
- These results apply to the specific patient group studied and do not establish effectiveness for weight loss in the general population.
Known risks and side effects
- More people on tesamorelin stopped because of side effects than on placebo.
- Growth hormone can affect blood sugar, so this is monitored.
Is Tesamorelin approved?
A medicines regulator, such as the FDA in the US or the EMA in Europe, has approved it for specific uses.
Egrifta is approved in the US for a narrowly defined prescription indication involving excess abdominal fat. It is not approved for general weight-loss management.
From the community
Watch: Tesamorelin and related science
We have not selected a reliable dedicated Tesamorelin video. These lessons cover the relevant biology and research methods; the compound-specific evidence is in the sources below.
khanacademymedicine
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland
How the hypothalamus and pituitary coordinate hormone release, including growth and reproductive hormones.
Khan Academy · endocrine physiology
Related biology
Background on hypothalamus and pituitary signalling for understanding Tesamorelin. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
Patient guide to growth hormone deficiency
An overview of growth hormone deficiency and specialist care. It does not establish anti-ageing benefits or benefits of growth-hormone-releasing research peptides.
Professional endocrinology association
Related biology
Explains diagnosed growth hormone deficiency. This is different from claims about anti-ageing or unapproved growth-hormone-releasing compounds.
Ninja Nerd
Endocrinology: growth hormone
A detailed lesson on growth hormone physiology and its signalling pathways.
Medical physiology education
Related biology
Background on growth hormone physiology for understanding Tesamorelin. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
Sources and references
- Tesamorelin: 26-week randomized clinical trialFalutz et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2007
- Egrifta SV prescribing informationFDA-approved labeling · DailyMed
VETUD Learn explains published research in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
In the research shop
Check the catalog for related laboratory research materials. These products are separate from the approved medicines and clinical trial formulations discussed here.
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