Tesamorelin is a synthetic GHRH (growth hormone-releasing hormone) analog. It is the only GHRH analog with full FDA approval, granted in 2010 (brand name Egrifta) for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. It is also prescribed off-label for body composition and growth hormone optimization in adults without that diagnosis. Because it works upstream at the pituitary rather than supplying growth hormone directly, it preserves the body's natural feedback loop.

Tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone in a natural, pulsatile pattern, which raises IGF-1 and promotes the breakdown of visceral adipose tissue, the metabolically active fat around the abdominal organs. Clinical trials have shown measurable reductions in trunk and visceral fat along with improvements in lipid markers, giving it one of the stronger evidence bases among growth hormone secretagogues.

Adults carrying excess visceral abdominal fat that has not responded to diet and exercise, adults over 40 experiencing age-related decline in growth hormone output, and patients focused on body composition and metabolic health who want the secretagogue with the strongest clinical evidence base.

Many patients report increases in IGF-1 within the first few weeks, with measurable visceral fat reduction typically emerging around 8 to 12 weeks. More complete body composition changes are generally reported in the 6 to 12 month range with continued use under physician supervision.

Commonly reported side effects include injection site reactions, joint pain, mild swelling (peripheral edema), muscle aches, tingling in the extremities, and a transient rise in blood glucose, which is monitored as part of your care. Tesamorelin is not appropriate with active or prior cancer, with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol, or with pituitary gland surgery or disease. Use outside the FDA-approved indication is off-label and prescribed only after medical intake and informed consent.