What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), also referred to in the literature as a GHRH analogue and, in some formulation studies, by the brand designations EGRIFTA WR and EGRIFTA. It belongs to the peptide class of GHRH receptor agonists. The evidence block used for this page does not supply a sequence, molecular formula or molecular weight for the compound, so none are stated here. The identifiers available in that evidence are the trial registration numbers attached to the individual studies cited below.

The work described on this page centres on the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor pathway and its downstream effects on endogenous growth hormone secretion and IGF-1.

Researchers requiring the material for laboratory work can find it in our catalogue as Tesamorelin.

Research Studies

Tesamorelin and physical function in older adults with HIV (TRIUMPH)

The TRIUMPH study is a two-site, double-blind, randomised controlled trial of 100 sedentary older adults aged 50 to 80 years living with HIV who are frail or at risk of frailty and who have excess abdominal adiposity. Participants were randomised to tesamorelin or placebo as an adjunct to a home-based, semisupervised exercise programme for 24 weeks, followed by a 24-week extension phase. The stated overall goal was to examine the combined effect of exercise and the GHRH analogue on physical function [1]. A separate registration describes the same line of inquiry, noting that people with HIV experience earlier impairments in physical function and earlier, more rapid development of frailty than the general population, and that exercise is less effective and harder to sustain in that group [5].

Tesamorelin and liver fat in adults with fatty liver disease

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study evaluated whether daily subcutaneous tesamorelin reduces liver fat in adults with fatty liver disease. Participants received tesamorelin or matching placebo for 52 weeks, with standardised lifestyle counselling in both groups. Liver fat was quantified by MRI-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF), and key safety monitoring included glucose metrics and IGF-1 [2].

Tesamorelin and liver fat and histology in HIV

A separate trial addressed liver disease as a leading comorbidity of HIV infection, noting that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is present in approximately 30 to 40 percent of patients with HIV infection and that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a more severe form in which increased liver fat is accompanied by inflammation, cellular damage and fibrosis. The same registration records that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is most prevalent in patients who also have increased visceral adiposity, and that the investigators had previously shown that HIV-infected individuals with increased visceral adiposity generally have decreased growth hormone secretion. Tesamorelin is described there as a GHRH analogue that increases endogenous growth hormone [8].

Tesamorelin and lipodystrophy in people living with HIV

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people living with HIV with lipodystrophy receiving combination antiretroviral therapy, incorporating GRADE assessment. The review describes HIV-associated lipodystrophy as a complication of combination antiretroviral therapy that causes physical and psychological distress and compromises treatment adherence, and describes tesamorelin as a GHRH analogue that has emerged as a therapeutic option. The authors searched PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and Scopus from inception to 9 February 2026 for randomised controlled trials of tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy and reported mean differences [3].

Tesamorelin and body composition, hepatic fat and metabolic outcomes in HIV-associated lipodystrophy

A further meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessed body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic and safety outcomes of tesamorelin, a synthetic GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That work frames HIV-associated lipodystrophy as leading to visceral fat accumulation, metabolic complications, body image concerns, medication non-adherence and increased cardiovascular risk [10].

Tesamorelin and functional outcomes after peripheral nerve injury

A clinical trial evaluated tesamorelin as a therapy for peripheral nerve injuries. The investigators hypothesised that treatment would result in faster and more substantial recovery of motor and sensory function following surgical repair of injured peripheral nerves. Patients with upper extremity nerve injuries were randomly assigned to receive tesamorelin or no treatment, with assessments for nerve regeneration, muscle function and sensation conducted every three months for a total of 12 months, and outcomes in treated patients compared with the untreated group [6].

Tesamorelin and cognition in ageing with HIV

A Phase II trial tested whether tesamorelin, in combination with a text-messaging application intended to support motivation and adherence, would significantly improve memory and thinking in people with HIV [7].

Tesamorelin and excess visceral abdominal fat: comparative case reporting

Case reporting has described differing presentations of excess visceral abdominal fat in people living with HIV, highlighting distinct therapeutic pathways involving tesamorelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. That report notes that excess visceral abdominal fat is a prevalent metabolic complication among people living with HIV-1, occurring even in individuals with normal or mildly elevated body mass index, and that the pattern is associated with metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk [9].

Tesamorelin formulations and bioequivalence in healthy participants

A bioequivalence study compared tesamorelin formulations, designated EGRIFTA WR and EGRIFTA, in healthy participants [4].

Injectable peptides in sports medicine: review-level context

Structured narrative review work has examined injectable peptides in sports medicine, noting that such peptides are increasingly promoted for musculoskeletal recovery, tissue repair and performance enhancement while clinical adoption has outpaced high-quality evidence and regulatory consensus, and summarising human and translational evidence published from 1 January 2020 onward [11]. Related review work describes peptides as short amino acid chains occupying a pharmacological niche between small-molecule drugs and large proteins, with use in sports medicine expanding rapidly, and notes that while numerous peptide drugs have undergone rigorous appraisal, the field remains uneven [12].

What the evidence does and does not cover

The studies cited above are clinical investigations conducted in defined human populations: older adults with HIV who are frail or at risk of frailty and have excess abdominal adiposity [1][5]; adults with fatty liver disease [2]; people with HIV and liver disease [8]; people living with HIV with lipodystrophy receiving combination antiretroviral therapy [3][10]; patients with upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries [6]; people with HIV and cognitive concerns [7]; and healthy participants in a formulation comparison [4]. The evidence block used for this page contains no animal-only or in vitro findings for tesamorelin, so no such findings are reported here. Where a study is described as a protocol, a registration or a planned or ongoing evaluation, that is how it is described above; registration does not constitute a reported result.

If you are reading this for personal health reasons

The material described on this page is sold for laboratory research only, and we do not provide dosing or medical guidance of any kind. Nothing here is a recommendation, a protocol or a substitute for professional advice. Anyone considering a compound for themselves should speak to a licensed clinician.

Sources

• [1] Tesamorelin as an Adjunct to Exercise for Improving Physical Function in HIV (TRIUMPH): a clinical trial protocol. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13347827
• [2] Tesamorelin for Reduction of Liver Fat in Adults With Fatty Liver Disease (Mock Study). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07481734
• [3] Efficacy and Safety of Tesamorelin in People Living With HIV (PLWH) With Lipodystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13428105
• [4] P-1230. Tesamorelin (EGRIFTA WR and EGRIFTA) Formulations: Bioequivalence in Healthy Participants. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12791536
• [5] Tesamorelin as an Adjunct to Exercise for Improving Physical Function in HIV. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06554717
• [6] Tesamorelin to Improve Functional Outcomes After Peripheral Nerve Injury. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03150511
• [7] Phase II Trial of Tesamorelin for Cognition in Aging HIV-Infected Persons. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02572323
• [8] Tesamorelin Effects on Liver Fat and Histology in HIV. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02196831
• [9] 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42139091/
• [10] Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41545261/
• [11] Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42160466/
• [12] Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41966639/