Last Updated September 24, 2023

 September 24, 2023

Researchers interested in learning more about tesamorelin dosage have come to the right place. 

Tesamorelin is a modified form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), giving this synthetic peptide greater potency and stability over GHRH. Noted benefits of tesamorelin administration include: 

  • fat reduction 
  • nerve cell regeneration 
  • neuroprotection 

In this tesamorelin dosage calculator and guide, we outline key research findings and summarize the tesamorelin dosing regimens used by clinicians and researchers. 

If you’re a licensed professional and ready to start experimenting with tesamorelin, scroll down for information on our preferred vendor of research peptides.

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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. Likewise, any published information relative to the dosing and administration of reference materials is made available strictly for reference and shall not be construed to encourage the self-administration or any human use of said reference materials. 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.


Tesamorelin Dosage Chart | Quick Breakdown

Research Objective Dosage (Subcutaneously) Study duration
Daily Dosage for Body Composition Improvement 1-2mg/daily 20-52 weeks

What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin peptide, also known by its trade name “Egrifta”, is a synthetic sequence of amino acids that mimics growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) [1]. GHRH is one of the thousands of peptides in the body that help regulate bodily functions [2].

In addition to being a peptide for research purposes, tesamorelin is also approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a prescription medication for lipodystrophy—a condition associated with the HIV virus that causes patients to accumulate fat around the midsection.

Tesamorelin peptide structure

Tesamorelin peptide has a chemical structure that is essentially the same as GHRH [3]. The primary function of GHRH is to stimulate the production and release of growth hormone, also known as GH or human growth hormone, HGH.

What is HGH?

HGH is a hormone that plays a critical role in multiple bodily processes including the growth of new tissue and repair of old tissue. HGH helps build muscle, repair, and rejuvenate the skin, synthesize bone material, and much more [4]. HGH is especially important not just to ensure optimum growth in children but also to otherwise healthy adults in need of muscle repair.

The problem is that HGH levels naturally decline with age [5]. To combat this, some scientists have studied the effects of exogenous HGH administration to test subjects. Results from these  studies have demonstrated positive benefits of GH therapy [6] but have also highlighted significant side effects [7].

That’s where tesamorelin comes in. It’s a GHRH mimetic that, studies have shown, can stimulate HGH without causing the same side effects seen with HGH. 

Tesamorelin HGH

Tesamorelin is best thought of as an alternative to exogenous HGH; it stimulates the body to secrete its own HGH and is believed to have fewer adverse effects. In other words, tesamorelin is believed to have a better safety profile than HGH. 

Let’s take a close look at some of tesamorelin’s purported benefits and uses. 


tesamorelin


Tesamorelin Benefits and Uses

So what benefits does tesamorelin offer? 

In the U.S., tesamorelin is sold under the brand name “Egrifta” and is used to treat HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy caused by long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). 

However, other research has highlighted other clinically significant effects of tesamorelin: 

  • Increasing HGH. Several studies have noted that tesamorelin increases HGH in test subjects [8, 9]. This may have an impact on the body’s ability to grow and repair tissue.
  • Burning fat. A number of studies have found that tesamorelin can significantly reduce fat in the stomach, in muscles, and even in the liver [3, 10, 11].
  • Increased muscle. In elderly test subjects, tesamorelin has been shown to increase strength, muscle density, and the size of muscles [12].
  • Improving cognition. Research has shown that tesamorelin can actually help test subjects with mild cognitive impairment perform better on cognitive tests [13, 14, 15].
  • Nerve tissue repair. There is some evidence that suggests tesamorelin could help repair damaged nerve tissue in animal models [16].
  • Reducing the risk of cardiac disease. Preliminary research suggests that tesamorelin may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases [11, 17].

While these purported benefits sound encouraging, it must be stressed that tesamorelin’s sole use it to treat lipodystrophy. Research into tesamorelin’s other benefits is lacking and this may merit further investigation.  

Is Tesamorelin legal?

The above benefits may be of interest to researchers, but is tesamorelin legal?

The legal status of tesamorelin varies from country to country. Each country has its own rules. But, yes, it is legal to buy tesamorelin in most countries.

There are two main ways that tesamorelin can be legally purchased. Firstly, patients diagnosed with lipodystrophy may obtain tesamorelin via prescription. Secondly, tesamorelin can be purchased by researchers for use in experiments. As such, it is classified as a “reference material” and can be used for research purposes only. 

Let’s take a look at tesamorelin’s side effects. 


Tesamorelin Side Effects

Researchers interested in experimenting with tesamorelin should be aware that clinical studies have linked this peptide to many adverse events (AEs) [3, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]. These AEs are listed below with their rate of incidence in test subjects:  

  • Injection site reactions, like pruritus, rash, pain, and swelling (3.1%)
  • Arthralgia (2.4%)
  • Pain in the extremities (1.1%)
  • Myalgia (1.1%)
  • Peripheral edema (1.1%)
  • Paresthesia (0.9%)
  • Hypoesthesia (0.7%)
  • Rash (0.7%)
  • Dyspepsia (0.3%)
  • Muscle pain (0.3%)
  • Pruritus (0.3%)
  • Vomiting (0.3%)
  • Muscle stiffness (0.3%)
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (0.2%)
  • Joint swelling (0.2%)
  • Night sweats (0.2%)
  • Palpitations (0.2%)

Furthermore, clinical studies have linked tesamorelin to the following serious adverse events:

  • Increased risk of glucose intolerance
  • Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Disruption of hypothalamic-pituitary axis
  • Neuropathies
  • Lipoatrophy
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever 
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Loss of mobility 

To date, no long-term tesamorelin studies involving healthy (non-elderly, non-HIV-infected) test subjects have been completed, suggesting that further research is merited. Therefore, researchers should carefully screen test subjects for pre-existing conditions before experimenting with this peptide. 


Tesamorelin Dosage Calculator and Guide

Researchers who wish to experiment with tesamorelin should note that its only approved therapeutic use is the treatment of lipodystrophy in HIV patients.

While there is strong research interest in the application of tesamorelin for other purposes, such as to improve body composition or athletic performance, there is currently no published research to indicate the dosage at which tesamorelin should be administered to these ends.

Peptide researchers may therefore consult the following data taken from relevant research findings when designing an experiment.

Tesamorelin for lipodystrophy

When prescribed to treat lipodystrophy in HIV patients, the typical dose of tesamorelin is:

  • One daily subcutaneous injection of tesamorelin
  • 2mg of tesamorelin per dose
  • Administered in the abdominal region
  • Taken at night, at least 90 minutes after eating

According to data from Phase III clinical trials involving HIV-infected study volunteers with lipodystrophy, this treatment produces significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) fat without affecting adipose tissue (SAT) fat (on limbs or subcutaneously) when administered for 26 weeks.

When treatment was continued to 52 weeks, triglyceride levels fell and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) levels increased in the subjects.

Tesamorelin for body composition improvement

Tesamorelin has been tested regarding its impact on body composition and weight loss in individuals with abdominal obesity.

One trial involving 60 abdominally obese subjects with reduced GH secretion reported a significant reduction in abdominal fat after 12 months of tesamorelin at up to 2mg/once-daily [24].

Researchers interested in investigating tesamorelin for weight loss may also consider initiating the therapy with lower doses for the first 4 weeks of the trial to assess subject tolerance, before increasing the dose to up to 2mg/daily.

Based on the available research, here is a sample tesamorelin dosing protocol as a reference:

  • Dose: Initiate at 1mg/daily to assess the test subjects’ tolerance. Then increase to up to 2mg/daily.
  • Frequency: Administer tesamorelin as a subcutaneous injection once daily before bed.
  • Study Duration: 20-52 weeks.
  • Notes: Researchers are advised to administer the peptide at least 90 minutes after the last meal in the evening. Do not exceed 2mg/daily.

Tesamorelin dose for cognition

For cognition, studies have found success using the following dose of tesamorelin [14]:

  • 1mg of tesamorelin
  • One injection daily
  • At night, 30 minutes before bed
  • 5 days on, 2 days off
  • Duration of 20 weeks

How to administer a dose of tesamorelin to test subjects

Clinical trials indicate that tesamorelin is injected subcutaneously, or under the skin. Researchers planning to administer tesamorelin to test subjects may follow these guidelines:

  1. Wash hands: Use soap and water to help prevent infection.
  2. Reconstitute the tesamorelin dosage. Inject bacteriostatic (sterile) water into the vial and then swirl (but don’t shake) it until everything is dissolved.
  3. Ensure no particles: Check for the presence of particles or discoloration. Discard the vial if any are noticed.
  4. Clean the injection area: Swab the area with rubbing alcohol.
  5. Inject under the skin: Administer the injection into the abdominal region, at least two inches away from the belly button of the test subject. Avoid areas with bruising, redness, or scar tissue.
  6. Rotate the location for each injection: This helps avoid issues with over-injection in one area.

Following these instructions will help reduce the incidence of side effects and infection in test subjects.

Other notes on tesamorelin dosage

Here are some other notes about administering tesamorelin to test subjects that researchers may consider.

  • Administer tesamorelin at night. HGH levels peak physiologically during nighttime. Administering tesamorelin to test subjects in the evening may enhance its effectiveness.
  • Take tesamorelin at least 90 minutes after food. Food may interrupt how tesamorelin is absorbed. If nighttime dosing is not possible, an early morning dose may be suitable.

Having covered the main ways that tesamorelin may be dosed, we should mention where researchers can buy this peptide online.


Where to Buy Tesamorelin Online? | 2023 Guide

Our favorite online peptide vendor is Peptide Sciences.

They're the only vendor we recommend. The reason is that they've always provided us with high-quality products and any time there has been an issue with the order, they have responded immediately to fix it.

We love these things about Peptide Sciences:

  • Product Quality: We love that they publish laboratory analyses to prove that their product is high quality and that they post the results of those tests on their website. It really boosts our confidence in their product.
  • Payment options are convenient: We love being able to buy with cryptocurrency. But also, they can accommodate e-checks and a number of the major credit cards. Super convenient and secure.
  • Quick shipping: Researchers living in the US should receive their order within 2-3 days from Peptide Sciences, and orders over $200 even qualify for free shipping.
  • Excellent customer service: It is rare to observe such attentive and professional service as you’ll find with Peptide Sciences. They're easy to get in touch with and do their best to solve all client queries.

For those reasons, Peptide Sciences is our top recommendation.

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Bacteriostatic Water for Injection

Most researchers have probably experienced the limitations of lacking the correct supplies. Especially when correctly preparing, storing, and injecting peptides like [peptide], the right set of tools is indispensable.

Unfortunately, gathering all the required items, such as sterile vials, alcohol wipes, and bacteriostatic water, can be a burden that delays your research.

We at Peptides.org set out to find a solution to this problem, surveying the web to find one great supplier to meet all your needs.

BacteriostaticWater.org

This top-notch site alleviates all your supply worries, offering complete research material kits that are fully equipped with the essentials. Each curated toolset from BacteriostaticWater.org is up to the leading standards.

For example, the site’s starter research kit comes 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

While the premium research kit is fully stocked with even more:

  • 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

Take your research to the next level with a comprehensive supply kit from this leading source.

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Tesamorelin Dosage | Verdict

Researchers curious about the right tesamorelin dosage for their next experiment will note that this cutting-edge peptide is already being used with great success to treat lipodystrophy, a fat distribution disorder commonly afflicting HIV patients.

However, further research into tesamorelin’s purported benefits in healthy test subjects is warranted. The peptide is designed for subcutaneous administration and generally avoids the side effects typical for exogenous HGH therapy.

Qualified researchers wishing to begin their own experiments are advised to our preferred peptide vendor, Peptide Sciences.


tesamorelin


References

  1. Food and Drug Administration (2010). Chemistry Reviews: Application 22-505. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022505Orig1s0 00ChemR.pdf
  2. Mine, Y., Li-Chan, E., & Jiang, B. (2010). Biologically active food proteins and peptides in health: an overview. Bioactive proteins and peptides as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Hoboken: Wiley‑Blackwell, 5-11.
  3. Dhillon, S. (2011). Tesamorelin. Drugs, 71(8), 1071-1091.
  4. Bergan-Roller, H. E., & Sheridan, M. A. (2018). The growth hormone signaling system: Insights into coordinating the anabolic and catabolic actions of growth hormone. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 258, 119-133.
  5. Bartke, A. (2019). Growth hormone and aging: Updated review. The World Journal of Men's Health, 37(1), 19-30.
  6. Jørgensen, J. O. L., Thuesen, L., Ingemann-Hansen, T., Pedersen, S. A., Jørgensen, I., Skakkebaek, N. E., & Christiansen, J. S. (1989). Beneficial effects of growth hormone treatment in GH-deficient adults. The Lancet, 333(8649), 1221-1225.
  7. Anderson, L. J., Tamayose, J. M., & Garcia, J. M. (2018). Use of growth hormone, IGF-I, and insulin for anabolic purpose: pharmacological basis, methods of detection, and adverse effects. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 464, 65-74.
  8. Editorial, A. (2004). Pralmorelin: GHRP 2, GPA 748, Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 2, KP-102 D, KP-102 LN, KP-102D, KP-102LN. Drugs in R & D, 5, 236-239.
  9. Broglio, F., Boutignon, F., Benso, A., Gottero, C., Prodam, F., Arvat, E., … & Muccioli, G. (2002). EP1572: a novel peptido-mimetic GH secretagogue with potent and selective GH-releasing activity in man. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 25(8), RC26-RC28.
  10. Sivakumar, T., Mechanic, O. J., Fehmie, D. A., & Paul, B. T. (2011). Growth hormone axis treatments for HIV‐associated lipodystrophy: a systematic review of placebo‐controlled trials. HIV medicine, 12(8), 453-462.
  11. Stanley, T. L., Feldpausch, M. N., Oh, J., Branch, K. L., Lee, H., Torriani, M., & Grinspoon, S. K. (2014). Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 312(4), 380-389.
  12. Adrian, S., Scherzinger, A., Sanyal, A., Lake, J. E., Falutz, J., Dubé, M. P., … & Brown, T. T. (2019). The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone analog, Tesamorelin, decreases muscle fat, and increases muscle area in adults with HIV. The Journal of Frailty & Aging, 8(3), 154-159.
  13. Zdravkovic, M., Søgaard, B., Ynddal, L., Christiansen, T., Agersø, H., Thomsen, M. S., … & Ilondo, M. M. (2000). The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of a single dose of NN703, a novel orally active growth hormone secretagogue in healthy male volunteers. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 10(4), 193-198.
  14. Friedman, S. D., Baker, L. D., Borson, S., Jensen, J. E., Barsness, S. M., Craft, S., … & Vitiello, M. V. (2013). Growth Hormone–Releasing Hormone Effects on Brain γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Aging. JAMA Neurology, 70(7), 883-890.
  15. Baker, L. D., Barsness, S. M., Borson, S., Merriam, G. R., Friedman, S. D., Craft, S., & Vitiello, M. V. (2012). Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial. Archives of Neurology, 69(11), 1420-1429.
  16. Tuffaha, S. H., Singh, P., Budihardjo, J. D., Means, K. R., Higgins, J. P., Shores, J. T., … & Brandacher, G. (2016). Therapeutic augmentation of the growth hormone axis to improve outcomes following peripheral nerve injury. Expert opinion on therapeutic targets, 20(10), 1259-1265.
  17. Falutz, J., Allas, S., Blot, K., Potvin, D., Kotler, D., Somero, M., … & Turner, R. (2007). Metabolic effects of a growth hormone–releasing factor in patients with HIV. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(23), 2359-2370.
  18. Zdravkovic, M., Christiansen, T., Eliot, L., Agersoe, H., Thomsen, M. S., Falch, J. F., … & Ilondo, M. M. (2001). The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability following 7 days daily oral treatment with NN703 in healthy male subjects. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 11(1), 41-48.
  19. Svensson, J., Monson, J. P., Vetter, T., Hansen, T. K., Savine, R., Kann, P., … & Ilondo, M. M. (2003). Oral administration of the growth hormone secretagogue NN703 in adult patients with growth hormone deficiency. Clinical Endocrinology, 58(5), 572-580.
  20. Zdravkovic, M., Olsen, A. K., Christiansen, T., Schulz, R., Taub, M. E., Thomsen, M. S., … & Ilondo, M. M. (2003). A clinical study investigating the pharmacokinetic interaction between NN703 (tabimorelin), a potential inhibitor of CYP3A4 activity, and midazolam, a CYP3A4 substrate. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 58(10), 683-688.
  21. Piccoli, F., Degen, L., MacLean, C., Peter, S., Baselgia, L., Larsen, F., … & Drewe, J. (2007). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of an oral ghrelin agonist in healthy subjects. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(5), 1814-1820.
  22. Luzi, L., Meneghini, E., Oggionni, S., Tambussi, G., Piceni-Sereni, L., & Lazzarin, A. (2005). GH treatment reduces trunkal adiposity in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy: a randomized placebo-controlled study. European Journal of Endocrinology, 153(6), 781-789.
  23. FDA (n.d.). Highlights of Prescribing Information: Egrifta. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022505Orig1s010lbl.pdf

Scientifically Fact Checked by:

David Warmflash, M.D.

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