Tesamorelin is a synthetic peptide analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH), designed to stimulate the pituitary gland to produce and release endogenous growth hormone (GH). It consists of a 44–amino acid sequence that closely resembles natural GHRH but is modified to enhance stability and biological activity.
Tesamorelin binds to GHRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, triggering a physiological GH pulse that promotes the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This cascade enhances fat metabolism, protein synthesis, and tissue repair. Tesamorelin has been studied for its ability to reduce visceral adipose tissue while supporting lean muscle preservation and overall metabolic function.
Tesamorelin has shown the following potential in studies:
Cognitive Function Study (Baker et al., 2012)
A 20-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial in older adults found that daily tesamorelin (a stabilized GHRH analog) was associated with significantly improved executive function and overall cognition, while increasing IGF-1 within normal ranges. These findings suggest potential cognitive and metabolic benefits of GHRH therapy in aging populations.
Inflammatory Marker Study (Stanley et al., 2011)
A 26-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial in HIV-infected adults with abdominal adiposity found that tesamorelin was associated with reduced visceral fat and modestly improved inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers, including adiponectin and CRP, suggesting cardiometabolic benefits associated with GHRH analog therapy.
Muscle Composition Study (Adrian et al., 2019)
In a 26-week secondary analysis of HIV-infected adults with abdominal obesity, tesamorelin was associated with significantly increased trunk muscle area and density (lean mass) among participants with meaningful visceral fat reduction, indicating improved muscle composition alongside fat loss.
Note: Individual results may vary. This peptide is not FDA-approved for the treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease outside its approved indications and its use may be considered investigational and not for human or animal consumption. The information is based on published research and is educational in nature. It should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individuals should consult with a licensed healthcare provider to discuss any plans of care.
Adrian, S., Scherzinger, A., Sanyal, A., Lake, J. E., Falutz, J., Dubé, M. P., Stanley, T., Grinspoon, S., Mamputu, J.-C., Marsolais, C., Brown, T. T., & Erlandson, K. M. (2019) ‘The growth hormone releasing hormone analogue, tesamorelin, decreases muscle fat and increases muscle area in adults with HIV’, Journal of Frailty & Aging, 8(3), 154–159. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237318/ (Accessed: 7 November 2025).
Baker, L. D., Barsness, S. M., Borson, S., Merriam, G. R., Friedman, S. D., Craft, S., Watson, G. S., Cholerton, B., Duncan, C. E., Mehta, P. D., Plymate, S. R., & Minoshima, S. (2012) ‘Effects 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, 69(11), 1420–1429. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22869065/ (Accessed: 7 November 2025).
Stanley, T. L., Falutz, J., Mamputu, J.-C., Soulban, G., Potvin, D., & Grinspoon, S. K. (2011) ‘Effects of tesamorelin on inflammatory markers in HIV patients with excess abdominal fat: relationship with visceral adipose reduction’, AIDS, 25(7), 791–799. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21516030/ (Accessed: 7 November 2025).
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