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Tesamorelin

Peptide

Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that is FDA-approved (2010) for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. It stimulates endogenous pulsatile GH secretion from the pituitary gland. Tesamorelin has demonstrated efficacy in reducing visceral adipose tissue, liver fat (NAFLD), and improving cognitive function in clinical trials.

Quick Answer

What it is

Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that is FDA-approved (2010) for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. It stimulates endogenous pulsatile GH secretion from the pituitary gland.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Visceral Adipose Tissue (Body Composition)
  • Grade A: Liver Fat (NAFLD) (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD))
  • Grade A: Liver Fibrosis Progression (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD))

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

⚠️ Research Notice

This peptide information is for educational and research purposes only. Peptides may not be FDA-approved for human use and may only be legally available for research purposes. Consult qualified healthcare professionals before considering any peptide compounds.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Tesamorelin

Quick Facts: Tesamorelin

  • Best Evidence:Grade A
  • Conditions Studied:4
  • Research Outcomes:15
  • Grade A Findings:6
  • Grade B Findings:5
  • Key Effect:Body Composition
A6
B5
C1
D3
4 conditions · 15 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

|
A
Visceral Adipose Tissue
Two Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue in HIV patients with lipodystrophy, maintained through 52 weeks of treatment.
large↓Improves
A
Waist Circumference
Clinical trials demonstrated significant reductions in waist circumference and trunk fat in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
moderate↓Improves
A
Liver Fat (NAFLD)
A randomized controlled trial showed 37% relative reduction in hepatic fat fraction from baseline, with 35% of tesamorelin patients achieving less than 5% liver fat versus 4% with placebo.
large↓Improves
A
Liver Fibrosis Progression
Liver biopsies showed tesamorelin prevented progression of fibrosis over 12 months, with reductions in liver fat associated with reductions in fibrosis.
moderate↓Improves
A
Growth Hormone Release
Tesamorelin stimulates significant increases in endogenous pulsatile GH secretion, with preserved physiological release patterns.
large↑Improves
A
IGF-1 Levels
Treatment produces significant increases in IGF-1 levels, mediating downstream metabolic and cognitive effects.
moderate↑Worsens
B
Hormone Levels
23 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.
moderate↑Improves
B
Liver Protection
11 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.
moderate↑Improves
B
Safety/Tolerability
9 human trials and systematic reviews support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Human clinical trial data available.
moderate↑Improves
C
Immune Function
4 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.
small↑Improves
D
Blood Glucose Control
2 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.
small↓Improves
D
Body Weight
2 human trials support this finding. Human clinical trial data available.
small↓Improves
D
Lipid Profile
2 systematic reviews and preclinical studies support this finding. Evidence includes systematic reviews/meta-analyses. Primarily preclinical evidence.
small↓Improves
B
Executive Function
A 20-week RCT showed tesamorelin improved executive function (P=0.005) as measured by Task Switching, Stroop Color-Word Interference, Self-Ordered Pointing Test, and Word Fluency.
moderate↑Improves
B
Cognitive Function in MCI
Treatment attenuated the expected functional decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and improved cognitive function in healthy older adults.
small↑Improves

Research Citations (43)

Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
(2026)
PMID: 41545261
Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Persons With HIV and Abdominal Obesity
(2025)
PMID: 39813152
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in people with HIV.
(2025)
PMID: 40397552
Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors.
(2024)
PMID: 38905488
Causes and outcomes of hepatic fibrosis in persons living with HIV.
(2022)
PMID: 36165079
Clinical Predictors of Liver Fibrosis Presence and Progression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
(2021)
PMID: 32270862
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Reduces Circulating Markers of Immune Activation in Parallel with Effects on Hepatic Immune Pathways in Individuals with HIV-infection and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
(2021)
PMID: 33852720
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) - A Review of a Crowded Clinical Landscape, Driven by a Complex Disease.
(2021)
PMID: 34588764
Effects of tesamorelin on hepatic transcriptomic signatures in HIV-associated NAFLD
(2020)
PMID: 32539271
Effects of tesamorelin on hepatic transcriptomic signatures in HIV-associated NAFLD.
(2020)
PMID: 32701508

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Peptide

3 shared conditions · 18 outcomes

Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) is a 29-amino-acid synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that retains full biological activity. It was FDA-approved in 1990 for diagnostic use and in 1997 for treating childhood growth hormone deficiency. Sermorelin stimulates natural GH release from the pituitary gland through the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, producing physiological GH patterns with built-in safety through somatostatin feedback regulation.