Tesamorelin — questions, answered plainly.

Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-residue analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), modified with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl group for plasma stability. It is FDA-approved as Egrifta / Egrifta SV for a single specific indication.

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The Grunfeld 2011 Nature Reviews Drug Discovery review (PMID 21283099) summarises the regulatory evidence base.

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a metabolic syndrome seen in some people with HIV — characterised by abnormal redistribution of body fat (often visceral fat accumulation). It is the specific clinical context for which tesamorelin received approval.

The Fourman 2020 JCI Insight study (PMID 32701508) reported that tesamorelin was associated with increased hepatic oxidative phosphorylation gene expression and decreased inflammatory and fibrosis-related signatures in paired liver biopsies from people with HIV and NAFLD.

Russo et al. 2024 (AIDS, PMID 38905488) reported that in people with HIV on integrase-inhibitor regimens (n=38 randomised, 31 completed 12 months), tesamorelin reduced visceral and hepatic fat versus placebo without significantly worsening glycaemic control.

Off-label use is investigational and not endorsed here. The FDA-approved indication is specifically HIV-associated lipodystrophy; clinical decisions involving tesamorelin require a qualified healthcare professional.

Approval is indication-specific. Palthera does not provide dosage or administration guidance, and content on this profile is not medical advice.