Tesamorelin Results: What Studies Measured and When
What published studies measured for Tesamorelin, when those outcomes were measured, and what is still unproven.
What studies measured
Each outcome below comes from a published study, with its type and size, strongest design first. Animal and cell results are labelled as such and are not human results.
| Outcome | Result | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body composition, fatigue, sleep and function | Low-dose tesamorelin did not significantly change body composition, fatigue, sleep, physical performance, glucose tolerance or cognition. | Human controlled trialn = 22 | eNeurologicalSci 2026, PMID 42382101 |
| Hepatic fat fraction | Liver fat fraction fell more with tesamorelin than placebo: absolute -4·1% and relative -37%. | Human RCTn = 61 | The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038 |
| Normalised liver fat | 35% of tesamorelin patients and 4% of placebo patients had liver fat below 5% at 12 months. | Human RCTn = 61 | The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038 |
| Glucose | Fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin did not differ between groups at 12 months. | Human RCTn = 61 | The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038 |
| Skeletal muscle area and density | In responders (a clinically significant VAT decrease), tesamorelin increased trunk muscle area and density on CT. | Human RCT | The Journal of frailty & aging 2019, PMID 31237318 |
| Pharmacokinetic parameters | Plasma clearance was estimated at 1,060 L/h and volume of distribution at 200 L. | Human RCTn = 38 | Clinical pharmacokinetics 2015, PMID 25358450 |
| Metabolic effect of VAT response | Tesamorelin patients with an 8% or greater VAT reduction had better triglycerides, adiponectin and glucose homeostasis than nonresponders over 52 weeks. | Human RCT | Clinical infectious diseases 2012, PMID 22495074 |
| VAT, triglycerides and CRP | Tesamorelin reduced visceral fat without changing subcutaneous fat and improved triglycerides, C-reactive protein and carotid intima-media thickness without worsening glucose. | Human RCTn = 60 | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655 |
| IGF-I | IGF-I rose by 86 μg/liter with tesamorelin versus a fall of 6 μg/liter with placebo. | Human RCTn = 60 | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655 |
| IGF-I and body fat | IGF-1 rose 117% (staying within the physiological range) and percent body fat fell 7.4%. | Human RCTn = 152 | Archives of neurology 2012, PMID 22869065 |
| Cognition | Intention-to-treat analysis showed a favorable cognitive effect in both groups. | Human RCTn = 152 | Archives of neurology 2012, PMID 22869065 |
| Visceral adipose tissue at 6 months | VAT fell 10.9% (21 cm2) with tesamorelin versus 0.6% (1 cm2) with placebo in the 6-month efficacy phase. | Human RCTn = 404 | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189 |
| Durability after stopping | VAT stayed about 18% lower in patients continuing for 12 months; gains over 6 months were rapidly lost after switching to placebo. | Human RCTn = 404 | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189 |
| Glucose | No change in glucose parameters. | Human RCTn = 404 | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189 |
| VAT and triglycerides at 52 weeks | VAT change was sustained at -18% over 52 weeks, and triglycerides fell 51 mg/dl. | Human RCTn = 410 | AIDS 2008, PMID 18690162 |
| After discontinuation | Visceral fat returned after tesamorelin was stopped. | Human RCTn = 410 | AIDS 2008, PMID 18690162 |
| Visceral adipose tissue | Visceral adipose tissue fell 15.2% with tesamorelin and rose 5.0% with placebo by the end of treatment. | Human RCTn = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
| Triglycerides and cholesterol ratio | Triglycerides 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 = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
| IGF-I | IGF-I rose 81.0% with tesamorelin and fell 5.0% with placebo. | Human RCTn = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
| Glycemic measures | No significant differences in glucose or insulin measures. | Human RCTn = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
| Trunk fat | Trunk fat changed +0.8% with placebo, -4.6% with 1 mg and -9.2% with 2 mg. | Human RCTn = 61 | AIDS 2005, PMID 16052083 |
| Lipids | Triglycerides and the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio fell significantly with 2 mg versus placebo. | Human RCTn = 61 | AIDS 2005, PMID 16052083 |
| IGF-I | IGF-I rose 48% with 1 mg and 65% with 2 mg. | Human RCTn = 61 | AIDS 2005, PMID 16052083 |
| Visceral adipose tissue | Pooled mean difference in visceral adipose tissue was -21.47 (95% CI -34.73 to -8.22) versus control. | Meta-analysisn = 909 | Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 2026, PMID 42538058 |
| Total cholesterol | Total cholesterol improved modestly (mean difference -0.16 mmol/L). | Meta-analysisn = 909 | Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 2026, PMID 42538058 |
- Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as Egrifta (WR and SV formulations; the two are not substitutable) for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. The label states it is not indicated for weight loss management.
- The evidence is dominated by two phase 3 trials in HIV lipodystrophy (18057338 and its extension 18690162, plus 20101189) and trials in NAFLD in HIV (31611038), obese adults with reduced GH (23015655) and older adults (22869065). Visceral fat reductions reversed after stopping treatment.
- Participants were mostly men (86% in 18057338). There is no evidence specific to women, and no evidence for sleep benefit: the only trial that measured sleep (42382101, n = 22) found no significant change.
- Doses studied: 2 mg daily (original 1 mg/vial product) in the pivotal trials; the current labels list 1.28 mg (WR) and 1.4 mg (SV) daily.
- The labels have no stability data beyond storage and no half-life statement beyond those cited. Effects outside HIV (for example the older-adult cognition trial and the obese-adult trial) are off-label.
Typical timeline
When the studies above measured their outcomes. This is the study schedule, not a promise of when anyone will notice a change.
| When | What was measured | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months and 12 months | VAT change | Human RCTn = 404 | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189 |
| 26 weeks | Primary end point: percent change in visceral adipose tissue | Human RCTn = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
Before-and-after photos
We don't publish before-and-after photos. They can't be verified, rarely show dose, diet or other drugs, and only the most dramatic results get posted.
Common questions
How long does Tesamorelin take to work?
The studies we summarise measured outcomes at set points, for example VAT change at 6 months and 12 months; Primary end point: percent change in visceral adipose tissue at 26 weeks. Timelines outside studies vary.
Do you show Tesamorelin before and after photos?
No. Photos can't be verified, rarely show dose, diet or other drugs, and only the most dramatic ones get posted. We summarize measured outcomes instead.
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.PricePrice per mg and per week from dated listings. No vendor links.Legal statusFDA, compounding and WADA status with dates.How to injectSites, syringe types and hygiene, step by step.
Sources
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 4Population pharmacokinetic analysis of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients and healthy subjects.Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2015PMID 25358450Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 10Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV.The New England journal of medicine · 2007PMID 18057338Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 11A placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study of a growth hormone releasing factor in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation.AIDS (London, England) · 2005PMID 16052083Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 12Efficacy and Safety of Tesamorelin in People Living With HIV (PLWH) With Lipodystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care · 2026PMID 42538058Accessed 2 Oct 2026
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