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What is tesamorelin used for?

Updated 2026-05-05

Tesamorelin is approved in the US under the brand Egrifta SV (and the higher-strength Egrifta WR) for one specific use: reducing belly fat in adults with HIV-related lipodystrophy. Off-label, biohackers and longevity clinics use it for general body composition - reducing visceral fat, building lean mass, and improving sleep. It works by signaling your pituitary to release more of your own growth hormone, so it is not a replacement for HGH itself.

IfIf you want the approved use
Thenthen that follows the Egrifta SV prescribing label, and the amount is the one your provider prescribes
IfIf you are considering tesamorelin off-label
Thenthen there is no approved dose for that use, so the amount and duration are decisions for you and your provider
IfIf you have visceral fat around your organs
Thenthen tesamorelin is the only growth-hormone-releasing peptide with hard trial data on visceral fat reduction
IfIf you have active cancer or are pregnant
Thenthen tesamorelin is contraindicated, so talk to your provider about a different approach
Key facts
  • Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
  • Approved in the US since 2010 (Egrifta), with the SV (single-vial) and WR (weekly) reformulations approved later
  • Trial data shows about 15-18% visceral fat reduction at week 26 in HIV lipodystrophy patients
  • Off-label use for general body composition is common in longevity clinics, though there is no approved dose or schedule for that use
  • Half-life is about 26 minutes - it drives a single growth-hormone pulse, not sustained release
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