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Free U.S. shipping on orders over $150Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino acid analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), with a longer duration of action in the body. It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone, increasing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production. Elevated IGF-1 supports fat breakdown, glucose metabolism, and cell survival [1].
Originally approved to treat HIV-associated lipodystrophy, tesamorelin has been shown to significantly reduce visceral adipose tissue [1]. Emerging research is now exploring its broader therapeutic potential, including liver health, cardiometabolic risk, and neurological health.
Clinical trials consistently show that tesamorelin reduces visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in people with HIV and central adiposity. Across studies, about 70% of participants were considered “responders,” achieving at least an 8% VAT reduction within 26 weeks [2], [3].
Importantly, the benefits extended beyond fat volume: tesamorelin also improved fat quality, with significant increases in VAT density compared to placebo [2]. This shift suggests a move toward smaller, healthier adipocytes and a more favorable metabolic profile [2].
These effects were observed regardless of baseline fat levels. In a large phase III trial of 806 participants, most experienced meaningful VAT reductions [3].
A separate trial of 412 subjects found that tesamorelin produced a selective 1-kg reduction in visceral fat over six months, with little effect on subcutaneous or limb fat [4]. Participants also reported less distress about abdominal size [4].
Overall, tesamorelin demonstrates clinically significant, treatment-dependent benefits for both VAT quantity and quality, although gains tend to diminish after discontinuation [5].
Tesamorelin has shown consistent liver-related benefits, particularly in people with HIV. In one study, higher baseline VAT was associated with elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT) [3].
Participants who responded to tesamorelin with significant VAT reduction also demonstrated improvements in AST and ALT. These hepatic benefits persisted even after treatment discontinuation despite partial VAT regain [3].
Randomized controlled trials corroborate this. In HIV-associated fatty liver disease, tesamorelin reduced liver fat and prevented fibrosis progression over 12 months [6].
Liver biopsies revealed upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation pathways, enhanced mitochondrial function, and downregulation of genes tied to inflammation, tissue repair, and cell proliferation—all processes linked to fibrosis and liver injury [6].
Importantly, tesamorelin also shifted gene expression toward patterns associated with a more favorable liver cancer prognosis [6].
A 12-month double-blind trial confirmed these findings, showing a 4.1% absolute and 37% relative reduction in hepatic fat fraction. By the study's end, 35% of the tesamorelin-treated participants achieved liver fat <5%, compared with only 4% of placebo participants [7].
In people with HIV and antiretroviral therapy-associated lipodystrophy, tesamorelin also improved lipid profiles, improving triglycerides and cholesterol ratios without impairing glucose tolerance [4].
Similar effects were seen in abdominally obese adults with reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion, where 12 months of therapy reduced VAT by 35 cm² while preserving subcutaneous fat [8].
This was accompanied by reductions in triglycerides, C-reactive protein, and carotid intima-media thickness, indicating improvements in systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
IGF-1 levels rose significantly, confirming GH pathway activation, while glucose measures remained stable [8]. In type 2 diabetes, tesamorelin modestly improved lipid levels without impairing insulin sensitivity [9].
Additional findings suggest enhanced mitochondrial and muscle function, with improved phosphocreatine recovery after exercise [10]. Pooled phase III trial analyses confirm durable VAT reductions, lipid improvements, and better body image ratings [11].
Furthermore, reductions in excess visceral fat were linked to lower predicted 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, largely mediated by cholesterol improvements [12].
The natural age-related decline of GHRH, GH, and IGF-1 may contribute to age-related cognitive changes. This explains why tesamorelin also improves brain health.
Aside from improving neurological health through metabolic changes and immunomodulation, tesamorelin also positively affects neurotransmitter balance. In antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV patients, abdominal obesity was linked to neurocognitive impairment.
In a six-month trial, tesamorelin-treated participants achieved a significant waist circumference reduction and improvement in cognition [13].
In older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 20 weeks of tesamorelin treatment improved cognition and neurochemistry. The cognitive improvements corresponded with higher brain GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), increased N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate in the frontal cortex, and reduced myo-inositol in the posterior cingulate cortex [14].
In another trial enrolling 152 adults, 20 weeks of tesamorelin improved executive function and verbal memory, and was associated with a 117% IGF-1 increase, reduced body fat, and mild adverse events [15].
Other studies suggest GHRH and growth hormone-based therapies may promote peripheral nerve regeneration by supporting axonal growth, limiting muscle atrophy, and enhancing repair processes [16].
Research Use Only. All findings described above are derived from preclinical studies (animal models and in vitro experiments). Tesamorelin is not approved by the FDA for any diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans. Genesis Peptides makes no claims regarding human clinical efficacy. This product is sold exclusively for laboratory research.
Every lot undergoes six independent assays before release. Results are published in the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. It is approved for treating HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is the only FDA-approved therapy to treat abdominal fat accumulation in people with HIV.
In a human clinical trial of people with HIV on INSTI-based regimens, tesamorelin led to significant declines in visceral fat compared with placebo. The median change in visceral fat was -25 cm2 with tesamorelin versus 14 cm2 with placebo (P = 0.001). In the same population, tesamorelin had beneficial effects on body composition with no worsening of glycemic control. A human review concluded that tesamorelin improves body composition, hepatic fat, lean body mass, and IGF-1 levels in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, without serious side effects or perturbation of glucose.
In a human clinical trial, Tesamorelin was described as well tolerated, with a similar frequency of adverse events, including hyperglycemia, between groups. A human review concluded that Tesamorelin, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, was given without serious side effects or perturbation of glucose.
In a human clinical trial, tesamorelin was associated with a significant increase in lean body mass (MD=1.42 kg, 95% CI [1.13, 1.71]; P < 0.001) in adults with HIV. In a human clinical trial, tesamorelin increased IGF-1 levels, but these changes did not correlate with the summary regression change score or waist circumference.
A review states that dedicated studies of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog, have shown promise in fatty liver disease (MASLD) among people with HIV. The same review concludes that tesamorelin improves body composition, hepatic fat, lean body mass, and IGF-1 levels in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, without serious side effects or perturbation of glucose.
In an observational analysis of the FAERS adverse event reporting database in humans, tesamorelin was one of ten drugs with significant overreporting of carpal tunnel syndrome. The reporting odds ratio for tesamorelin was 20.7, with a 95% confidence interval of 13.7 to 31.3. The same database analysis concluded that growth hormone (GH)-releasing factor analogs, a drug class that includes tesamorelin, were disproportionately associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
In an in vitro laboratory study, tesamorelin was screened and confirmed in urine with a nano-LC quadrupole/orbitrap mass spectrometry (nano-LC-Q/Orbitrap MS) method, which was developed for growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs in accordance with WADA requirements. For tesamorelin and the other target peptides, the method achieved limits of detection of ≤ 0.5 ng/mL and limits of identification of 0.5-0.75 ng/mL in urine. Efficient extraction of tesamorelin from urine was demonstrated with the method, which was a major goal given that urine is the most frequently collected doping control specimen.
In a small double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in humans, 22 adults with cognition ranging from normal to mild cognitive impairment were treated for 10 weeks with low-dose tesamorelin (1 mg, a GHRH analog) or placebo. Using machine learning models, the researchers identified potential treatment-related differences in brain areas related to cognitive function, including the right anterior cingulate and left superior frontal occipital fasciculus, in subjects receiving low-dose GHRH treatment. However, low-dose tesamorelin treatment was not directly linked with significant changes in the study measures.
In a human clinical trial, tesamorelin showed no significant change in CD4+ T-cell counts. In a human clinical trial of people with HIV on INSTI-based regimens, tesamorelin had beneficial effects on body composition with no exacerbation of glycemic control.
FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY — Products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical laboratory research. Not for human consumption or administration. Not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic use. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.