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Tesamorelin Benefits: Claims vs What Studies Show

Benefits people claim for Tesamorelin, set against what published studies measured, and where no study exists.

Medical review pendingGHRH analogUpdated
Strongest evidence
Human RCT
Human / animal studies
12 / 1
in our evidence file (PubMed search, 11 Oct 2026)
FDA status
Approved (Egrifta)

Claimed benefits and what studies show

Each row is an area where people claim a benefit, with the strongest study we summarise behind it. Animal and cell results are labelled and are not human results. User reports are not counted as evidence here.

Tesamorelin claimed benefits and the studies behind them
ClaimBest evidenceStudies (human / animal)What was measuredPage
Weight lossHuman RCT evidence, 4 of 49 / 0Body composition, fatigue, sleep and function; Skeletal muscle area and density; Metabolic effect of VAT responseEvidence for weight loss
Heart healthHuman RCT evidence, 4 of 45 / 0Metabolic effect of VAT response; VAT, triglycerides and CRP; VAT and triglycerides at 52 weeksEvidence for heart health
Growth hormoneHuman RCT evidence, 4 of 44 / 0IGF-I; IGF-I and body fatEvidence for growth hormone
Liver healthHuman RCT evidence, 4 of 41 / 0Hepatic fat fraction; Normalised liver fatEvidence for liver health
SleepHuman RCT evidence, 4 of 41 / 0Body composition, fatigue, sleep and functionEvidence for sleep

Strongest study per claim: Weight loss, eNeurologicalSci 2026, PMID 42382101; Heart health, Clinical infectious diseases 2012, PMID 22495074; Growth hormone, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655.

What the studies measured

Tesamorelin outcomes in published studies
OutcomeResultStudy typeSource
Body composition, fatigue, sleep and functionLow-dose tesamorelin did not significantly change body composition, fatigue, sleep, physical performance, glucose tolerance or cognition.Human controlled trialn = 22eNeurologicalSci 2026, PMID 42382101
Hepatic fat fractionLiver fat fraction fell more with tesamorelin than placebo: absolute -4·1% and relative -37%.Human RCTn = 61The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038
Normalised liver fat35% of tesamorelin patients and 4% of placebo patients had liver fat below 5% at 12 months.Human RCTn = 61The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038
GlucoseFasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin did not differ between groups at 12 months.Human RCTn = 61The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038
Skeletal muscle area and densityIn responders (a clinically significant VAT decrease), tesamorelin increased trunk muscle area and density on CT.Human RCTThe Journal of frailty & aging 2019, PMID 31237318
Pharmacokinetic parametersPlasma clearance was estimated at 1,060 L/h and volume of distribution at 200 L.Human RCTn = 38Clinical pharmacokinetics 2015, PMID 25358450
Metabolic effect of VAT responseTesamorelin patients with an 8% or greater VAT reduction had better triglycerides, adiponectin and glucose homeostasis than nonresponders over 52 weeks.Human RCTClinical infectious diseases 2012, PMID 22495074
VAT, triglycerides and CRPTesamorelin reduced visceral fat without changing subcutaneous fat and improved triglycerides, C-reactive protein and carotid intima-media thickness without worsening glucose.Human RCTn = 60The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655
IGF-IIGF-I rose by 86 μg/liter with tesamorelin versus a fall of 6 μg/liter with placebo.Human RCTn = 60The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655
IGF-I and body fatIGF-1 rose 117% (staying within the physiological range) and percent body fat fell 7.4%.Human RCTn = 152Archives of neurology 2012, PMID 22869065
CognitionIntention-to-treat analysis showed a favorable cognitive effect in both groups.Human RCTn = 152Archives of neurology 2012, PMID 22869065
Visceral adipose tissue at 6 monthsVAT fell 10.9% (21 cm2) with tesamorelin versus 0.6% (1 cm2) with placebo in the 6-month efficacy phase.Human RCTn = 404Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189
Durability after stoppingVAT stayed about 18% lower in patients continuing for 12 months; gains over 6 months were rapidly lost after switching to placebo.Human RCTn = 404Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189
GlucoseNo change in glucose parameters.Human RCTn = 404Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189
VAT and triglycerides at 52 weeksVAT change was sustained at -18% over 52 weeks, and triglycerides fell 51 mg/dl.Human RCTn = 410AIDS 2008, PMID 18690162
After discontinuationVisceral fat returned after tesamorelin was stopped.Human RCTn = 410AIDS 2008, PMID 18690162
Visceral adipose tissueVisceral adipose tissue fell 15.2% with tesamorelin and rose 5.0% with placebo by the end of treatment.Human RCTn = 412The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338
Triglycerides and cholesterol ratioTriglycerides fell 50 mg/dL with tesamorelin and rose 9 mg/dL with placebo; the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio fell 0.31 versus a rise of 0.21.Human RCTn = 412The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338
IGF-IIGF-I rose 81.0% with tesamorelin and fell 5.0% with placebo.Human RCTn = 412The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338
Glycemic measuresNo significant differences in glucose or insulin measures.Human RCTn = 412The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338

Showing the first 20 of 25 rows, strongest sources first.

Not shown in any study we cite. Searches behind this page: PubMed search on 2 Oct 2026 for “(tesamorelin[tiab] OR Egrifta[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab] OR "TH-9507"[tiab])”: 104 results. PubMed search on 2 Oct 2026 for “(tesamorelin[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab]) AND (pharmacokinetic*[tiab] OR half-life[tiab])”: 5 results. PubMed search on 11 Oct 2026 for “(tesamorelin[tiab] OR Egrifta[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab] OR "TH-9507"[tiab]) AND (adverse[tiab] OR "side effect*"[tiab] OR safety[tiab] OR tolerab*[tiab] OR toxicity[tiab] OR "case report"[pt])”: 36 results.

The claim the label supports

The Egrifta SV label's one indication is reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy.[14]

The same label says it is not indicated for weight loss management because it has a weight-neutral effect.[14]

The label also says there are no data supporting improved compliance with antiretroviral therapy.[14]

What the trials measured

In a 26-week trial of 412 patients with HIV, visceral fat fell 15.2% on 2 mg of tesamorelin daily and rose 5.0% on placebo.[10]

Over 52 weeks, visceral fat stayed about 18% lower while on treatment, and it reaccumulated after tesamorelin was stopped.[9]

A meta-analysis of five randomised trials reported reductions in visceral fat and hepatic fat and a rise in lean body mass in people with HIV, with no significant reduction in BMI.[15]

Growth hormone, heart and liver claims

The growth-hormone claim has a direct label basis: tesamorelin stimulates growth hormone secretion and then raises IGF-1 and IGFBP-3.[14]

The heart-health claim is limited: the label states that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established.[14]

In 60 abdominally obese people with reduced GH secretion, 12 months of 2 mg tesamorelin lowered carotid intima-media thickness versus placebo, though this is an unapproved population.[6]

In people with HIV and fatty liver, tesamorelin reduced hepatic fat fraction more than placebo in a year-long randomised trial.[2]

More on Tesamorelin

DosageSide effectsResultsHow it works

Common questions

Is Tesamorelin proven to work?

The strongest study we summarise for Tesamorelin is human rct evidence, among 16 studies. A trial result is not an approval; see the legal status.

What does tesamorelin do?

It is a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue that stimulates growth hormone secretion and raises IGF-1.[14]

What is tesamorelin peptide used for?

The approved use is reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy.[16]

More on Tesamorelin

DosageDoses used in published studies, with the source for each.CalculatorVial, water and dose to syringe units.Side effectsWhat labels and studies report, and what is unknown.ResultsStudy outcomes and when they were measured.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.How it worksTarget, mechanism and how long it acts, from the label or studies.

Sources

  1. 1The 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
  2. 2Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.The lancet. HIV · 2019PMID 31611038Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3The 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
  4. 4Population pharmacokinetic analysis of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients and healthy subjects.Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2015PMID 25358450Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5Reduction in visceral adiposity is associated with an improved metabolic profile in HIV-infected patients receiving tesamorelin.Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2012PMID 22495074Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in obese subjects with reduced growth hormone secretion: a randomized controlled trial.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2012PMID 23015655Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone on cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults: results of a controlled trial.Archives of neurology · 2012PMID 22869065Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor, in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized placebo-controlled trial with a safety extension.Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) · 2010PMID 20101189Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in HIV patients with abdominal fat accumulation.AIDS (London, England) · 2008PMID 18690162Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV.The New England journal of medicine · 2007PMID 18057338Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: (tesamorelin[tiab] OR Egrifta[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab] OR "TH-9507"[tiab]) (104 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: (tesamorelin[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab]) AND (pharmacokinetic*[tiab] OR half-life[tiab]) (5 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubMed search: (tesamorelin[tiab] OR Egrifta[tiab] OR TH9507[tiab] OR "TH-9507"[tiab]) AND (adverse[tiab] OR "side effect*"[tiab] OR safety[tiab] OR tolerab*[tiab] OR toxicity[tiab] OR "case report"[pt]) (36 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 11 Oct 2026
  14. 14EGRIFTA SV prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Obesity research & clinical practice · 2026PMID 41545261Accessed 11 Oct 2026
  16. 16EGRIFTA WR prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026

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