Tesamorelin: clinical evidence record
Also known as: Egrifta, TH9507, Trans-3-hexenoyl-GHRH (1-44)
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
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AI-friendly summary · Tesamorelin
FDA-approved as Egrifta in 2010 for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Phase 3 RCTs (Falutz et al.) report visceral adipose tissue reduction. Not licensed in the UK.
Mechanism of action
How Tesamorelin works
Synthetic 44-amino-acid GHRH analogue with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus that protects against dipeptidyl peptidase IV degradation, extending half-life. Stimulates pituitary GH release at the GHRH receptor.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on Tesamorelin. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Metabolic Effects of a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor in Patients with HIV
Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al.. New England Journal of Medicine, 2007.
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Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients
Falutz J, Mamputu JC, Potvin D, et al.. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2010.
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Tesamorelin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV
Stanley TL, Fourman LT, Feldpausch MN, et al.. Lancet HIV, 2019.
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Tesamorelin and IGF-1 modulation
Stanley TL, Falutz J, Marsolais C, et al.. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2012.
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Phase 3 tesamorelin trial in HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Falutz J, Potvin D, Mamputu JC, et al.. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2010.
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Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial
Baker LD, Barsness SM, Borson S, et al.. Archives of neurology, 2012.
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Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity
Ellis RJ, Vaida F, Hu K, et al.. The Journal of infectious diseases, 2025.
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Non-clinical pharmacology and safety evaluation of TH9507, a human growth hormone-releasing factor analogue
Ferdinandi ES, Brazeau P, High K, et al.. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 2007.
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Effects of tesamorelin on inflammatory markers in HIV patients with excess abdominal fat: relationship with visceral adipose reduction
Stanley TL, Falutz J, Mamputu JC, et al.. AIDS (London, England), 2011.
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Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV
Fourman LT, Czerwonka N, Feldpausch MN, et al.. AIDS (London, England), 2017.
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Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications
Villegas Meza AD, Nocek M, Mitchell BC, et al.. JBJS reviews, 2026.
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Differing Presentations of Excess Visceral Abdominal Fat in People Living With HIV: Two Clinical Cases Highlighting Distinct Therapeutic Pathways With Tesamorelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
Beach R, Tims-Cook Z, McGary CS, et al.. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2026.
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Selected Industry Highlights From IDWeek 2025
Parienti JJ, Yang SS, Grinspoon S. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2026.
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Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives
Renke G, Chinellato L. International journal of molecular sciences, 2026.
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Combined antiretroviral therapy with low- or normal-protein, high-calorie diets appears to induce significant deleterious electrocardiographic changes in a rodent model
Chege BM, Mwangi PW, Githinji CG, et al.. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 2026.
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Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance
Mendias CL, Awan TM. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=tesamorelin.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where Tesamorelin sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: WADA Prohibited List S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors), prohibited at all times.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about Tesamorelin
Known concerns
- Most published efficacy claims for Tesamorelin require careful interpretation. Read the cited papers in full before drawing conclusions.
- Purity of UK research-peptide supply varies between retailers. Certificates of analysis and HPLC documentation differ.
- Cold-chain handling between manufacture and delivery is not standardised across the research-peptide market.
- Independent replication of single-group findings is the key check on any preclinical claim.
Open questions in the literature
- Where human pharmacokinetics have not been formally characterised, dose translation from animal models is not reliable.
- Long-term safety profile beyond the duration of published studies remains an open question.
- Interactions with other prescribed or unlicensed substances are typically not studied.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Prohibited at all times under WADA S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors). The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for Tesamorelin?
What is the UK regulatory status of Tesamorelin?
Has Tesamorelin been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for Tesamorelin?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.