Titus Thorne

Last Updated March 16, 2023

Titus Thorne

 March 16, 2023

Curious about how much does tesamorelin cost?

Then you're in the right place! Inside, we break down what researchers must know about this potent peptide.

Researchers must budget before conducting an experiment or trial with tesamorelin, and so are curious about the cost of acquiring this growth hormone peptide.

This guide will explain exactly what tesamorelin is, how much it costs, and where researchers can order it online for the best prices.

Our sole aim for this guide is to help researchers order high-quality tesamorelin from a legitimate, reliable supplier while minimizing their cost of researching with this reference material. 

Let’s dive in!

Buy Tesamorelin from the #1 online Peptides vendor in the world...

Disclaimer: Peptides.org contains information about products that are intended for laboratory and research use only, unless otherwise explicitly stated. This information, including any referenced scientific or clinical research, is made available for educational purposes only. Peptides.org makes every effort to ensure that any information it shares complies with national and international standards for clinical trial information and is committed to the timely disclosure of the design and results of all interventional clinical studies for innovative treatments publicly available or that may be made available. However, research is not considered conclusive. Peptides.org makes no claims that any products referenced can cure, treat or prevent any conditions, including any conditions referenced on its website or in print materials.


What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin (also known as “tesamorelin acetate”) is a stabilized synthetic peptide analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that was developed by the Canadian company Theratechnologies [1]. It’s commonly sold under the trade name “Egrifta” and is primarily used to stimulate the production and release of growth hormone (GH) in HIV-infected patients.

In 2010, Egrifta was approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with lipodystrophy (excess abdominal fat) caused by long-term antiretroviral therapy. As a peptide, Egrifta contains short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins [2]. It’s also a hormone, which means that it has an effect on the human endocrine system and sends chemical signals that help to regulate the level of GH in the body.

Human Growth Hormone

Tesamorelin is chemically identical to GHRH, which is made naturally in the body. This hormone's job is to work as part of the system that regulates the amount of human growth hormone (HGH) that gets produced and secreted. HGH is essential for the body to grow and repair itself. It plays a role in all kinds of cellular synthesis and repair functions. While HGH is particularly important to children as they're growing, it's also important for adults, as the level of HGH in the body naturally declines with age.

Egrifta’s only currently approved use in the United States is to treat lipodystrophy in patients with HIV. However, researchers are increasingly interested about the effects of tesamorelin on healthy subjects, including its ability to improve physical appearance, increase athletic performance, and recover from injury. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the use of all growth hormone-releasing hormones (GHRHs) including tesamorelin in sports, which indicates that GHRHs can in fact enhance athletic performance [3].

Tesamorelin Increases HGH

Fortunately, it's possible to increase HGH levels indirectly by administering peptides, known as growth hormone secretagogues, to upregulate the production of HGH. These can be just as effective as taking HGH directly and can result in fewer adverse effects.

Tesamorelin is one such GH secretagogue. Because it’s chemically similar to GHRH and binds to the same receptors as GHRH, tesamorelin induces the same effect of higher growth hormone levels in the bloodstream [4].


tesamorelin


Benefits of Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin has been widely researched and is an FDA-approved drug that is used to treat HIV patients with lipodystrophy. Its research-backed benefits include:

  • Increased muscle area and decreased muscle fat in HIV-infected adults [5].
  • Decreased abdominal fat in patients with HIV-related lipodystrophy [6].
  • Ability to trigger lipolysis (fat burning) in patients with lipohypertrophy, especially visceral adipose tissue (VAT) around the midsection [7].
  • Ability to increase levels of NAAG (N-acetylaspartylglutamate) and GABA (Gamma aminobutyric acid), and decrease levels of MI (myo-inositol), an osmolyte linked to Alzheimer disease, after 20 weeks in adults with mild cognitive impairment [8].

Researchers interested in working with tesamorelin should note that its only approved use is to treat HIV patients. To date, there have been no scientific studies on the effects of tesamorelin in healthy subjects.


Tesamorelin Side Effects

Tesamorelin has been well researched and is generally considered to be well-tolerated by most HIV patients. However, studies have indicated that some patients, typically fewer than five percent, may experience side effects. The most common ones include irritation around the injection site, increased sweating, muscle aches, and diarrhea [5].

According to a registry analysis of safety data from growth hormone manufacturers' registries published between 1988 and 2016, there is no evidence of an increased risk of mortality, stroke, leukemia, type 2 diabetes, or new malignancy in healthy adult patients treated with GH [9]. The only patients with an increased risk of developing one of these conditions were those with preexisting risk factors. The study’s authors concluded that patients with risk factors for these conditions “should be treated with caution” and closely “monitored during follow-up.”

Despite the intense interest around the use of growth hormone as a physical performance enhancement agent, little is known about the long-term side effects of GH supplementation in healthy subjects. In a recent systematic review of available data about renal (kidney) safety of GH and steroids, researchers found that “GH's exact effect on the kidney at doses used by athletes and bodybuilders has not yet been clarified.” This indicates that long-term clinical studies into the effects of GH on the liver may be warranted [10].


How Much Does Tesamorelin Cost?

Curious about how much tesamorelin costs?

Researchers interested in conducting research with tesamorelin should note that the price of this peptide depends on a number of factors.

Tesamorelin For Sale at Pharmacies

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as a prescription medication to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV patients that have received long-term antiretroviral therapy. Because tesamorelin is a prescription medication, patients who have been prescribed this drug can buy it from a pharmacy pursuant to a valid doctor's prescription.

At the time of writing, Costco sells Egrifta subcutaneous powder at the lowest price and charges $5,901.04 for 30 vials of 2 mg of tesamorelin [11]. This works out at $196 per vial or $98 per dose. Keep in mind, that's after using a coupon. Without the coupon, the cost is $8,134 for 30 vials of 2 mg. That's $271 per vial or $135 per dose.

Tesamorelin for Sale Online

Researchers seeking to acquire tesamorelin for tests or experiments can expect to pay far less than patients who have been prescribed it.

Peptide Sciences currently lists 10 vials of 5 mg of tesamorelin — about 50 doses — for sale at $625. That's just $12.50 per dose.

That’s an 87 percent differential for researchers who buy tesamorelin online compared to patients who buy it at the pharmacy.

Administering one tesamorelin cycle (5 days a week for 2 months) to one test subject would cost $3,400 less when the peptide is purchased online.

For qualified researchers looking to buy tesamorelin to conduct experiments, purchasing online is the best (and only) way to go.


Tesamorelin Dosage

Roughly 10 to 40 percent of HIV patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) will develop a metabolic condition known as lipodystrophy, which is characterized by an accumulation of fat on the midsection and insulin resistance [12]. Patients with this condition may be directed by their doctor to dose tesamorelin in the following way:

  • One subcutaneous injection, daily
  • Each injection containing a dosage of 2 mg
  • Five days a week
  • At least 90 minutes after eating
  • At night, before bed

While there is no conclusive evidence that growth hormone supplementation improves athletic performance, there remains intense interest surrounding tesamorelin as a potential performance enhancement agent [13]. Based on anecdotal reports, tesamorelin researchers most frequently administer the peptide to their test subjects in the following manner:

  • One subcutaneous injection, daily
  • Each injection containing a dosage of 1 mg
  • Five days a week
  • At least 90 minutes following intake of food
  • At night, before bed

Studies have shown that Egrifta (tesamorelin) does not interact adversely with food, has no effect on glycemic control or insulin response [14], and does not aggravate glucose levels [15].


Tesamorelin & CJC-1295?

From a research standpoint, tesamorelin and CJC-1295 make for an interesting comparison. The main similarities between these two peptides are that:

  • Both are growth hormone-releasing hormones (GHRH) analogues;
  • Both are administered by subcutaneous injection;
  • Both can enhance GH secretion for prolonged periods;
  • Both are prohibited in sporting competitions subject to the rules and regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The primary difference between these two peptides is that while tesamorelin’s research has been restricted primarily to HIV-infected adult patients, CJC-1295 has been tested on healthy adult subjects. The results of two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, ascending dose trials found that CJC-1295 “increases GH and IGF-I levels in healthy adults” and is “safe and relatively well tolerated” [16].

In terms of administering these two peptides simultaneously, scientific data is lacking. While researchers have expressed interest in testing biosynthetic forms of growth hormone (such as tesamorelin and CJC-1295) in the belief that these peptides will increase endogenous GH secretion in subjects, there is no valid evidence for the efficacy of this practice [13].


Do Researchers Need a Prescription to Buy Tesamorelin Online?

No, tesamorelin is 100% legal to buy for researchers looking to conduct research.

HIV patients requiring tesamorelin as a prescription medication for their lipodystrophy do need a prescription.

Researchers do not need a prescription to buy tesamorelin online, provided they are studying the peptide. Scientists and researchers can buy tesamorelin directly from a reputable online vendor.

In the next section, we’ll look at some of the ways that researchers can identify high-quality vendors.


tesamorelin


Where to Buy Tesamorelin Online? | 2023 Guide

Many online vendors sell tesamorelin online and researchers have plenty of choice on where to shop.

But a word of caution: not all vendors are legitimate. In fact, many vendors are not, and they may sell peptides that are underdosed or contain fillers. This can not only invalidate research findings but can also harm the health of test subjects. 

When choosing a tesamorelin vendor, researchers are advised to look for a company that:

  • Has a track record of providing high-quality products. Look for good reviews from third-party, independent websites.
  • Offers proof of product quality. A good company will publish the results from chemical analyses so researchers can see that it's pure.
  • Accepts secure payment methods. Researchers should check that the vendor safeguards all customer information and accepts a range of convenient payment options including all major cards and cryptocurrencies. 
  • Offers a guarantee. Researchers should look for vendors that offer guarantees and have a reasonable process in place to solve any problems that may arise. 
  • Has great customer service. Solid customer service that will reply promptly to customer questions and comments is also key.

In the following section, we will discuss our preferred tesamorelin vendor, Peptide Sciences. 


The #1 Place to Legally Order Tesamorelin Online

We only trust one vendor with our peptide orders, and that’s Peptide Sciences.

The reason is that we've tried many different vendors and only Peptide Sciences has consistently been able to deliver on its promises. They offer solid peptides at very reasonable prices.

Here's what we love about Peptide Sciences:

Fast, Secure, Global Shipping

Peptide Sciences is based in the United States, and if you’re also located in the US, you'll usually get your shipment within 2-3 days. It usually takes a bit longer for customers outside of the US — up to 10 days — but that's still really fast compared to other suppliers.

Best of all, this vendor waives all shipping charges on US orders over $100.

The Discounts are Great

Researchers can buy individual vials or make a bulk purchase and get a steep discount. For example, ordering more than 5 vials of tesamorelin will net researchers a savings of 5 percent, with even greater discounts available for larger orders. On large trials or long-term experiments, the savings can be significant.

Convenient, Secure Payment

Peptide Sciences offers many payment options, including:

  • Most major credit cards
  • Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, and Litecoin
  • Other e-payment options like Apple Pay and Venmo
  • Electronic check

Fantastic Customer Service

Honestly, this is where Peptide Sciences really shines. Every time we've tried to get in touch by phone or email, we've been impressed by how easy it is to get help. They've always solved any problem we've had quickly and professionally.

The Best Quality Around

Researchers need the highest quality peptides to conduct research.

Peptide Sciences guarantees a super high-quality product — exceeding 99% purity. They also get an independent laboratory to test their product and then post a certificate of that analysis right on their website for researchers to confirm.

These are the peptides that are used in clinical research and human trials, so researchers can be sure it's exactly what they need.

Buy Tesamorelin from our #1 recommended vendor...


Bacteriostatic Water for Injection

Some researchers make the mistake of handling peptides without the correct supplies. This is both an unsafe and ineffective practice. To successfully prepare, store, and administer peptides like Tesamorelin, it is imperative that a researcher has a set of essential tools.

This set of items agreed upon by leading experts includes bacteriostatic water, alcohol wipes, sterile vials, and insulin syringes.

Getting equipped with all these materials can be a headache, requiring market research to find credible sources for the full range of products.

To prevent this from impeding your research, Peptides.org has surveyed the field for you and elected one leading supplier of all research material essentials.

BacteriostaticWater.org

This supplier makes it easy to stock up on the necessary items for peptide research, offering two concierge kits that are packed with the essentials. Order one of these kits from BacteriostaticWater.org to save the time and energy you would spend sourcing the items independently.

An order of the starter research kit will supply you with:

  • Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 3x
  • Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 100x
  • Alcohol Prep Pads – 200x
  • Sterile Empty Glass Vial (10mL) – 1x
  • Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 10x

Select the premium research kit to receive:

  • Bacteriostatic Water (30mL) – 5x
  • Insulin Syringes (0.5 cc/mL x 29g x ½) – 200x
  • Alcohol Prep Pads – 200x
  • Sterile Empty Glass Vial (10mL) – 2x
  • Large Needles + Syringes Combo (3cc x 21g x 1) – 20x

Keep your research in line with the highest standards with a sleek and comprehensive supply curated by our most highly recommended provider.

Buy Bacteriostatic Water from our #1 recommended vendor...


Tesamorelin Costs | Verdict

How much does tesamorelin cost? It depends, but researchers can find it for around $12.50 per dose when they shop with our recommended vendor: Peptide Sciences. 

Overall, tesamorelin is widely available to researchers at reasonable prices and there is a good selection of vendors to source this research peptide from.

Researchers interested in conducting studies with tesamorelin can pay significantly less by ordering in bulk. Low prices coupled with free international shipping make tesamorelin highly attractive to researchers interested in investigating this peptide's benefits and long-term side effects.

Buy Tesamorelin from our #1 recommended vendor...


References

  1. Patel, A., Gandhi, H., & Upaganlawar, A. (2011). Tesamorelin: A hope for ART-induced lipodystrophy. Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences, 3(2), 319.
  2. Food and Drug Administration (2020). Impact Story: Developing the Tools to Evaluate Complex Drug Products: Peptides. Retrieved March 28, 2020. Fda.gov
  3. Knoop A, Thomas A, Fichant E, Delahaut P, Schänzer W, Thevis M. Qualitative identification of growth hormone-releasing hormones in human plasma by means of immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2016 May;408(12):3145-53. doi: 10.1007/s00216-016-9377-3. Epub 2016 Feb 15. PMID: 26879649; PMCID: PMC4830873.
  4. Food and Drug Administration (2010). Chemistry Reviews: Application 22-505. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022505Orig1s0 00ChemR.pdf
  5. Adrian, S., Scherzinger, A., Sanyal, A. et al. The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV. J Frailty Aging 8, 154–159 (2019). https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2018.45
  6. Dhillon, S. Tesamorelin. Drugs 71, 1071–1091 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2165/11202240-000000000-00000
  7. Clinical Review Report: Tesamorelin (Egrifta) [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2016 Aug. Executive Summary. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539124/
  8. Friedman SD, Baker LD, Borson S, et al. Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Effects on Brain γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Aging. JAMA Neurol. 2013;70(7):883–890. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.1425
  9. Stochholm K, Kiess W. Long-term safety of growth hormone-A combined registry analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2018 Apr;88(4):515-528. doi: 10.1111/cen.13502. Epub 2017 Nov 20. PMID: 29055168.
  10. Davani-Davari D, Karimzadeh I, Khalili H. The potential effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids and growth hormone as commonly used sport supplements on the kidney: a systematic review. BMC Nephrol. 2019 May 31;20(1):198. doi: 10.1186/s12882-019-1384-0. PMID: 31151420; PMCID: PMC6545019.
  11. oodRx.com (n.d.). Egrifta. https://www.goodrx.com/egrifta-sv
  12. Garg A. Acquired and inherited lipodystrophies. N Engl J Med. 2004 Mar 18;350(12):1220-34. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra025261. PMID: 15028826.
  13. Macintyre JG. Growth hormone and athletes. Sports Med. 1987 Mar-Apr;4(2):129-42. doi: 10.2165/00007256-198704020-00004. PMID: 3299611.
  14. Clemmons DR, Miller S, Mamputu JC. Safety and metabolic effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 15;12(6):e0179538. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179538. PMID: 28617838; PMCID: PMC5472315.
  15. Falutz J, Allas S, Mamputu JC, Potvin D, Kotler D, Somero M, Berger D, Brown S, Richmond G, Fessel J, Turner R, Grinspoon S. Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in HIV patients with abdominal fat accumulation. AIDS. 2008 Sep 12;22(14):1719-28. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32830a5058. PMID: 18690162.
  16. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Mar;91(3):799-805. doi: 10.1210/jc.2005-1536. Epub 2005 Dec 13. PMID: 16352683.

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