Entry 0004Rev 1.0GHRH analogue

Tesamorelin

GHRH 1–44, hexenoyl-capped · C221H366N72O67S

Reviewed

2 Nov 2026

Scientific editor

[Name, PhD]

References

9 sources

Tesamorelin is a copy of all 44 amino acids of human growth hormone-releasing hormone, with a small fatty group fixed to the front end to slow its breakdown.1 It is the one compound on this shelf with a drug licence: the US FDA approved it in 2010, under the brand Egrifta, for one narrow use in people with HIV.2

That approval rests on two placebo-controlled phase 3 trials. Outside that use, and outside the US, it is unlicensed. It is prohibited in sport by name.

Residues

44

Avg mass

5135.9 g/mol

Licensed

US only, 2010

WADA class

S2.2.4

01

Identity

Growth hormone-releasing hormone is made in the hypothalamus and tells the pituitary to release growth hormone. Natural GHRH lasts minutes in blood. Tesamorelin keeps the whole 44-residue sequence and adds a trans-3-hexenoyl group at the N-terminus, which protects the first bond from the enzyme that normally cuts it.1

Value
ParentHuman GHRH (1–44), amide
ModificationA six-carbon hexenoyl cap on the first residue, tyrosine
FormulaC221H366N72O67S
Avg mass5135.9 g/mol
CAS218949-48-5 (free base); 901758-09-6 (acetate)
CodesTH9507; brand names Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR
02

History

  1. Theratechnologies develops TH9507 as a stabilised GHRH.1

  2. First phase 3 trial published: 412 people with HIV and abdominal fat, 26 weeks.3

  3. Second phase 3 trial published; FDA approves Egrifta in November for HIV-associated abdominal fat.2,4

  4. Trial of its effect on liver fat in HIV published.5

  5. Trial in HIV-associated fatty liver disease published.6

  6. Named on the WADA Prohibited List as a GHRH analogue.9

03

What the trials measured

Unlike most of this library, the main evidence is in people. All of it is in adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, which limits what can be said about anyone else.

StudyDesignPeopleWhat was measuredSource
Falutz 2007Phase 3, placebo-controlled, 26 weeks plus extension412Visceral fat by CT: down 15.2% on tesamorelin, up 5.0% on placebo. IGF-1, lipids, glucose[3]
Falutz 2010Second phase 3, same design404Visceral fat, body image, lipids, glucose[4]
Stanley 2014Randomised, placebo-controlled, 6 months50Liver fat by spectroscopy, visceral fat[5]
Stanley 2019Randomised, placebo-controlled, 12 months61Liver fat and fibrosis in HIV-associated NAFLD[6]
Baker 2012Pilot, 20 weeks152 adults without HIVCognitive test scores in older adults[7]

The FDA label carries warnings on fluid retention, glucose intolerance and the theoretical risk from raising IGF-1 in anyone with an active malignancy.2

04

Behaviour in the body

ValueSource
Route studiedSubcutaneous[1]
BioavailabilityUnder 4%[8]
Half-life26–38 minutes[8]
ClearanceBroken down by proteases[8]

A short half-life does not mean a short effect. The signal it sends to the pituitary outlasts the molecule.

05

Regulatory and sport status

As of this revision. General information, not legal advice.

WhereStatus
USFDA-approved since 2010 as Egrifta, for reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. Prescription only. Any other use is unlicensed.2
UK and EUNo marketing authorisation. Not a controlled drug in the UK. May not be supplied or promoted for human use.
SportProhibited at all times. Named in WADA class S2.2.4: "growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin)".9
06

Open questions

  1. Whether the fat results in people with HIV apply to anyone else. Every phase 3 participant had HIV and was on antiretroviral drugs.
  2. What happens after stopping. In the 2007 trial, visceral fat returned toward baseline in the group switched to placebo during the extension.3
  3. Long-term safety of raised IGF-1 beyond the trial periods of six to twelve months.
07

Common questions

Is tesamorelin approved?

In the US, yes, since 2010, for one use: excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy. It is not approved in the UK or the EU.

Is tesamorelin the same as GHRH?

Almost. It has the same 44 residues as human GHRH plus a small chemical group on the front that slows its breakdown.

Is tesamorelin banned in sport?

Yes, by name. WADA lists it under S2.2.4 with other GHRH analogues, prohibited at all times.

How is it different from sermorelin and CJC-1295?

All three are GHRH analogues. Sermorelin is the first 29 residues with no modification. CJC-1295 is a modified 29-residue version built to last longer. Tesamorelin is the full 44 residues with the hexenoyl cap, and it is the only one with a drug licence.

What did the trials measure?

Mostly visceral fat by CT scan, plus IGF-1, lipids and glucose, in adults with HIV over 26 to 52 weeks.

—

See also

Tesamorelin vs sermorelin ComparisonIpamorelin Entry 0009CJC-1295 Entry 0010Sermorelin Entry 0016How we test a lot Method
08

References

  1. Ferdinandi ES, et al. Non-clinical pharmacology and safety evaluation of TH9507, a human growth hormone-releasing factor analogue. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007. PMID 17214611
  2. US Food and Drug Administration. Egrifta (tesamorelin for injection) prescribing information, approved November 2010.
  3. Falutz J, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:2359–2370. PMID 18057338
  4. Falutz J, et al. Effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor, in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial with a safety extension. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2010;53(3):311–322. PMID 20101189
  5. Stanley TL, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014;312(4):380–389.
  6. Stanley TL, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial. Lancet HIV. 2019;6(12):e821–e830.
  7. Baker LD, et al. Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults. Arch Neurol. 2012;69(11):1420–1429.
  8. Dhillon S. Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Drugs. 2011. PMID 21668043
  9. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List, class S2.2.4. wada-ama.org

Peptidarium Library. Tesamorelin (entry 0004), revision 1.0, 2 November 2026. peptidarium.com/library/tesamorelin

09

Revision history

RevDateChangeBy
1.02 Nov 2026Entry created.[Scientific editor]

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