Verified July 2026 · Cited to primary sources
Tesamorelin: Evidence Grade A. FDA-approved / proven in humans.
An FDA-approved peptide drug, not a research chemical. Proven to cut visceral fat, but approved for a narrow HIV indication.
Legal access route
Peter MD
$90 to $300 per program (Katalys CPA band)
The honest verdict
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved drug (Egrifta, 2010): Grade A, the strongest evidence tier here. But it is approved for HIV-associated visceral fat, not general weight loss; for that, approved GLP-1s are the evidence-backed route.
Tesamorelin at a glance
- Class
- Synthetic GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) analog
- Mechanism
- A GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone, which reduces visceral (abdominal) fat.
- Also known as
- Egrifta, TH9507
- Research applications
- HIV-associated visceral fat reduction (its FDA-approved indication)
- Body recomposition / visceral fat loss (off-label)
- Forms
- subcutaneous injection
- Legal status
- FDA-approved
- WADA (anti-doping)
- Prohibited (S2, GHRH analog) at all times
- Evidence grade
- Grade AFDA-approved / proven in humans
How we grade evidence
Every grade comes from a fixed A to F rubric: human-trial strength, not hype or affiliate status. Last verified July 6, 2026.
What is Tesamorelin?
Compound class: Synthetic GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing hormone) analog
A GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone, which reduces visceral (abdominal) fat.
How strong is the evidence for Tesamorelin?
Grade A: FDA-approved (2010) on multiple pivotal Phase 3 RCTs (rule 1 fired: FDA-approved for ≥1 indication). The only currently-marketed FDA-approved GHRH analog.
Primary sources (3)
Is Tesamorelin legal? (Status July 2026)
Prescription via a licensed provider.
What is Tesamorelin used for?
Tesamorelin is marketed for the goals below. See how it ranks against other peptides in each, by evidence, not hype.
What does Tesamorelin cost, and how do you access it legally?
Typical cost
High. Branded Egrifta commonly $3,000+/month retail
Branded Egrifta retail is high ($3,000+/month; verify current list price). Compounded tesamorelin is cheaper but variable. Approved indication is HIV-associated visceral fat, not general weight loss.
Legal access routes
Peter MD
telehealth$90 to $300 per program (Katalys CPA band)
Marek Health
telehealthMembership + labs; pricing varies by protocol
Hone Health
telehealth$30 to $75 per program (Katalys CPA band) + at-home labs
Ways2Well
telehealthProtocol-based pricing; consult required
Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Access routes are legit telehealth and clinics, never gray-market vendors. How this works.
Trying to lose weight?
For weight loss, an approved GLP-1 beats this peptide.
No research peptide here has proven, legally-available weight-loss data that beats an approved GLP-1. Our sister site compares the options that actually work.
Is Tesamorelinsafe? Side effects & risks
Well-characterized in trials. Glucose intolerance/insulin resistance, injection-site reactions, fluid retention. Contraindicated in active malignancy and pregnancy. WADA-prohibited (S2).
Medical disclaimer: This page is independent editorial information, not medical advice, and Best Peptide For That is not a medical provider. We do not provide dosing. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any peptide or medication. Full medical disclaimer.
Free tool
Peptide reconstitution calculator
Enter the mg in the vial and the ml of bacteriostatic water, and get the concentration plus the units to draw on an insulin syringe. It does the arithmetic on your numbers, and it never suggests a dose. See all four calculators.
FAQ
Tesamorelin FAQ
Is tesamorelin FDA approved for weight loss?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (as Egrifta) to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, not for general weight loss. It does reduce visceral fat in that population (Grade A), but using it for everyday weight loss is off-label. For proven general weight loss, see our GLP-1 guidance.
How much does tesamorelin cost?
Branded Egrifta commonly runs $3,000+ per month at retail. Compounded tesamorelin is cheaper but variable in price and quality. Check current pricing with a licensed provider.
Is tesamorelin banned in sport?
Yes. As a GHRH analog it is on the WADA Prohibited List under S2.
From our portfolio
Tracking Tesamorelin?
Titrate is an iOS app for logging doses, schedules and progress over time, with a reconstitution calculator built in. It tracks, it does not prescribe.
Compare Tesamorelin with…
Head-to-head evidence-grade matchups people weigh against Tesamorelin.
Keep reading
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An "exercise-mimetic" metabolic peptide. Real mechanistic interest, but human evidence is association-only.
Grade CCJC-1295 / Ipamorelin
The classic GH-boosting stack. One human PK study shows it raises GH/IGF-1, but no trial shows it builds muscle or burns fat.
Grade CCJC-1295
A GHRH analog, usually the long-acting "with DAC" version, that one human study shows raises GH/IGF-1. No trial shows it builds muscle or burns fat.
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