Peptide Academy · Growth

Tesamorelin

Also known as Egrifta / GHRH analog

Educational research summary, not medical advice. Many compounds here are not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before making any health decision.

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What is Tesamorelin?

An FDA-approved GHRH analog for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

How it works

A stabilized 44-aa GHRH analog that restores pulsatile GH secretion, raising IGF-1 and selectively reducing visceral adipose tissue.

What it has been studied for

FDA-approved for visceral fat reduction
15–20% reduction in visceral adipose tissue
Raises GH and IGF-1 naturally
Reduces liver fat (NAFLD support)
Improves lipid profile
Preserves lean muscle mass
Minimal blood sugar impact

These are effects reported or investigated in research, much of it preclinical. They are not proven outcomes or health claims.

Published research

Approved based on phase 3 trials showing ~15-18% visceral fat reduction over 26 weeks

Half-life

~30–60 minutes (GHRH analog)

Cautions

Prescription-only; raises IGF-1 — contraindicated with active malignancy.

Side effects & fixes

Common side effects

—Facial flushing or a warm, tingly feeling 5–15 minutes after injecting
—Headache or lightheadedness
—Water retention or puffiness in the first 1–2 weeks
—Tingling or numbness in the hands (carpal-tunnel-like) at higher exposure
—Increased hunger (strongest with GHRP-6 and MK-677)
—Higher fasting blood sugar with longer use

Histamine reactions

Common. The post-injection flush, redness and itch — most noticeable with CJC-1295 and GHRPs — is a histamine-type response that usually passes within 30–60 minutes.

Common fixes

Inject slowly and consider a lower dose; the flush is dose-related.
Dosing at bedtime means most of the flush happens while you sleep.
For mild itching, redness or flushing, a non-drowsy over-the-counter antihistamine (such as cetirizine or loratadine) is commonly used — check with a pharmacist first, especially if you take other medicines.
Cut back on salt and drink more water for puffiness; it usually settles after the first couple of weeks.
Reduce the dose if hand tingling or numbness appears.
If you can, check fasting glucose periodically, especially on MK-677 or long cycles.

Stop and get help

Numbness or weakness that does not fade after lowering the dose.
Stop and get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, widespread hives, chest pain or fainting.

Basis: Clinical studies and consistent community reports for GH secretagogues. Educational only, not medical advice.

Medication concerns

From FDA prescribing information

Steroid replacement (hydrocortisone, prednisone) for adrenal insufficiency
Growth hormone can lower cortisol activity; people on replacement may need a higher maintenance or stress dose.
Medicines cleared by liver CYP450 enzymes (seizure medicines, cyclosporine, sex hormones, corticosteroids)
Growth hormone may change how fast these are cleared. Levels may need monitoring.
Insulin, metformin and other diabetes medicines
Growth hormone lowers insulin sensitivity, so blood sugar can rise and diabetes doses may need adjusting.
Everything else you take, including supplements
Bring a full list of medicines and supplements to your pharmacist or clinician before starting.

Basis: FDA prescribing information for Egrifta (tesamorelin). Educational only, not medical advice. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.

Protocols & tracking are members-only

Members see the research protocols for Tesamorelin, plan schedules, track every dose and vial, and ask the AI Advisor questions with cited sources. Try every Researcher feature free for 7 days, no card needed.

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