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MOTS-c vs Tesamorelin: What the Research Shows

MOTS-c and Tesamorelin side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
Mitochondrial-derived peptidePCAC voted 7–5 for 503A (Jul 2026)MOTS-cMitochondrial-derived peptide; human studies found only measured the body's own circulating levels (for example after repeated heat treatment), not administered MOTS-c.[5]GLP-1 & metabolic+437% searchesGHRH analogFDA approved (Egrifta)TesamorelinFDA-approved GHRH analog (Egrifta) for excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy; visceral fat fell 15.2% versus a 5.0% rise with placebo in a randomized trial.[20]Growth hormone+188% searches
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider MOTS-c if…

  • you are weighing human evidence that, in our search, only measured the body's own MOTS-c (none gave it as a treatment): exercise raised plasma MOTS-c in non-Hispanic White survivors but not Hispanic survivors[7]

Consider Tesamorelin if…

  • you want a product with an FDA label: Egrifta is indicated to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy and is not indicated for weight loss management[15]
  • you want randomized data in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: Visceral adipose tissue fell 15.2% with tesamorelin and rose 5.0% with placebo by the end of treatment.[20]

What they have in common

  • MOTS-c is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition[3]
  • WADA prohibits GHRH and its analogues at all times; its list names CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin[3]
MOTS-c is not FDA approved. Both are prohibited in tested sport (WADA). Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 13 of 14 fields where the two differ. Evidence strength are the same or both unknown.

FieldMOTS-cTesamorelin
ClassMitochondrial-derived peptideGHRH analog
Also calledmotstesa, Egrifta
CategoryGLP-1 & metabolicGrowth hormone
FDA statusPCAC voted 7–5 for 503A (Jul 2026)FDA approved (Egrifta)
PCAC vote, Jul 2026PCAC voted 7–5 for the 503A list (Jul 2026); not finalizedNot on the Jul 2026 agenda
WADAProhibited by WADA (S4.4.1)MOTS-c is named in S4.4.1 (metabolic modulators: AMPK activators), prohibited at all times.Prohibited by WADA (S2.2.4)Tesamorelin is named as a GHRH analogue in S2.2.4 (growth hormone releasing factors), prohibited at all times. Tesamorelin is also an FDA-approved medicine; an athlete would need a therapeutic use exemption.
Anti-doping detection
  • A plasma (blood) test for MOTS-c has been validated to WADA standards.PMID 30394592
  • A urine assay detects CJC-1295 and other GHRH analogues at very low concentrations.PMID 35298973
  • Labs expect GHRH analogues like CJC-1295 to be hard to find because of tiny urine concentrations; the study reports no detections in routine anti-doping samples.PMID 34665524
Half-lifeNo published half-life foundPubMed search, 2 Oct 202611 minutessubcutaneous (EGRIFTA WR 1.28 mg) · FDA label (Egrifta WR)
Human studies we summarised7 human (4 randomized or controlled) of 15 summarised11 human (11 randomized or controlled) of 12 summarised
Typical study doses
Vial sizes sold5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg
US searches per month60,500 · +437% searches165,000 · +188% searches
Named in FDA warning letters, 2026Not in the letters we trackYes (24 Aug 2026)

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Taken together?

MOTS-c and Tesamorelin together

People also search for this pair as a stack. The stack page covers timing and interaction questions as they are sourced. Evidence for the combination: No studies tested these together (PubMed search: 1 result, 2 Oct 2026).

Open the stack page
StackMOTS-c + Tesamorelin, taken as separate injectionsStack page

Sources

  1. 1FDA warning letters to five research-peptide sellersFDA warning letter (NuScience Peptides; 1 of 5) · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2FDA gives notice that 12 peptides will be removed from Category 2 (nominations withdrawn)FDA · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4Development of a mass spectrometry based detection method for the mitochondrion-derived peptide MOTS-c in plasma samples for doping control purposes.Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM · 2019PMID 30394592Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5Repeated Heat Stress Modulates the Levels of the Mitokines MOTS-C and FGF21 in Active Men during Calf Muscle Immobilization.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2025PMID 40674654Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6Circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with breast cancer treated with metformin.Aging · 2022PMID 36490309Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors.Scientific reports · 2021PMID 34413391Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) (262 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (humans[mh] OR human[tiab] OR participants[tiab] OR patients[tiab] OR volunteers[tiab]) (179 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR "clinical trial"[pt] OR "meta-analysis"[pt] OR "systematic review"[pt]) (5 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (mice[tiab] OR mouse[tiab] OR rat[tiab] OR rats[tiab]) AND (injection[tiab] OR treatment[tiab] OR administration[tiab] OR treated[tiab]) (72 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (half-life[tiab] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab]) (3 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13An antibody-free, ultrafiltration-based assay for the detection of growth hormone-releasing hormones in urine at low pg/mL concentrations using nanoLC-HRMS/MS.Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2022PMID 35298973Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  14. 14Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.Drug testing and analysis · 2021PMID 34665524Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15EGRIFTA WR (TESAMORELIN) KIT [THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.]FDA label (Egrifta WR), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  16. 16The effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone on cognition and brain connectivity in adults with cognition ranging from normal to mild cognitive impairment.eNeurologicalSci · 2026PMID 42382101Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  17. 17Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.The lancet. HIV · 2019PMID 31611038Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  18. 18The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV.The Journal of frailty & aging · 2019PMID 31237318Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  19. 19PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (tesamorelin[tiab] OR Egrifta[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab] OR "TH-9507"[tiab])PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  20. 20Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV.The New England journal of medicine · 2007PMID 18057338Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  21. 21Advisory committee backs 6 of 7 peptides for the 503A listNCPA · 2026ncpa.org

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