Tesamorelin Side Effects: What Studies and Users Report
What FDA labels and clinical studies report for Tesamorelin, how strong that evidence is, and what is still unknown.
Side effects reported in studies
Adverse reactions from the FDA label come first, then side effects reported in individual studies. Frequencies are quoted as the source gives them; animal results are labelled.
| Side effect | How common | Study type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most commonly reported adverse reactions | most common | FDA label | FDA label (Egrifta WR) |
| Diabetes (HbA1c 6.5% or higher) | 5% vs 1% (EGRIFTA vs placebo) | FDA label | FDA label (Egrifta WR) |
| Diabetes (HbA1c 6.5% or higher) | 5% vs 1% (EGRIFTA vs placebo) | FDA label | FDA label (Egrifta SV) |
| Injection site complaints“Individuals in the tesamorelin group experienced more localised injection site complaints than those in the placebo group, though none were judged to be serious.” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 61 | The lancet. HIV 2019, PMID 31611038 |
| Adverse events“There were no serious adverse events or differences in adverse events between the groups.” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 60 | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012, PMID 23015655 |
| Adverse events | 68% tesamorelin vs 36% placebo | Human RCTn = 152 | Archives of neurology 2012, PMID 22869065 |
| Tolerability“The drug was well tolerated.” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 404 | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes 2010, PMID 20101189 |
| Safety and glucose“Changes in glucose parameters over 52 weeks were not clinically significant and similar to those after 26 weeks.” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 410 | AIDS 2008, PMID 18690162 |
| Withdrawal because of adverse event“Adverse events did not differ significantly between the two study groups, but more patients in the tesamorelin group withdrew from the study because of an adverse event.” | Frequency not stated | Human RCTn = 412 | The New England journal of medicine 2007, PMID 18057338 |
| GH-related adverse effects and discontinuation | discontinuation RR 2.25 (95% CI 0.98 to 5.17) | Meta-analysisn = 909 | Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 2026, PMID 42538058 |
What is not known
- How common each effect is at the doses people use outside of studies.
- Effects that take longer to appear than the length of the published studies.
- How Tesamorelin interacts with other medicines and supplements.
- Whether research-grade products, which are not checked by the FDA, behave like the material used in studies.
When to get medical help
Get urgent care for: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, a widespread rash, severe or lasting stomach pain, fainting, or an injection site that becomes hot, red and spreading.
This is not a complete list. A doctor or pharmacist can help you judge whether a symptom is related.
Common questions
What are the side effects of Tesamorelin?
The FDA label lists most commonly reported adverse reactions, diabetes (hba1c 6.5% or higher), diabetes (hba1c 6.5% or higher) among others. The table on this page gives how often each happened and links each source.
Is Tesamorelin safe?
Tesamorelin has an FDA-approved label that lists its known risks. That label covers the approved product used as prescribed, not compounded or research-chemical versions.
Is Tesamorelin banned in sport?
Yes. Prohibited by WADA (S2.2.4). Tested athletes should not use it.
More on Tesamorelin
DosageDoses used in published studies, with the source for each.CalculatorVial, water and dose to syringe units.ResultsStudy outcomes and when they were measured.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
- 1EGRIFTA WR (TESAMORELIN) KIT [THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.]FDA label (Egrifta WR), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 2EGRIFTA SV (TESAMORELIN) KIT [THERATECHNOLOGIES INC.]FDA label (Egrifta SV), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
- 3Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.The lancet. HIV · 2019PMID 31611038Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 4Metabolic 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
- 5Effects 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
- 6Effects 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
- 7Long-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
- 8Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV.The New England journal of medicine · 2007PMID 18057338Accessed 2 Oct 2026
- 9Efficacy 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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