Growth hormone

Tesamorelin (Egrifta): belly-fat results, benefits & label dosing

FDA-approved (HIV lipodystrophy only) Checked against official sources Oct 16, 2026

Quick facts

What it is: a GHRH analog that raises your own growth hormone.
Status: FDA-approved for excess belly fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy. Everything else is off-label.
How it's taken: a daily injection under the skin of the belly.
Evidence: solid, from a 412-person randomized trial.
For athletes: banned by WADA.

What is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It nudges your pituitary gland to release more of your own growth hormone. It's sold as Egrifta.

Is Tesamorelin FDA-approved?

FDA-approved (first approved 2010), but only for one thing: reducing excess belly fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy. The label says it is not indicated for weight-loss management and that long-term heart safety hasn't been established (Egrifta WR label). Using it for anything else is off-label. It is banned in sport under S2 of the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.

Tesamorelin dosing: what the FDA label says

Your prescriber sets your dose. This is a summary of the official FDA label to help you follow along, not a plan to start, change, or stop anything.

Egrifta WR — FDA label on DailyMed

1.28 mg injected under the skin once daily, into the abdomen. Rotate sites.
Mix only with the diluent supplied in the kit.

Egrifta SV — FDA label on DailyMed

1.4 mg injected under the skin once daily, into the abdomen.
The label says Egrifta WR and Egrifta SV are not substitutable: different strengths, mixing and storage.

For off-label goals like general fat loss or anti-aging, there is no labeled dose. That's a conversation for a clinician.

What the research shows

Pivotal trial (NEJM, 2007): 412 people with HIV and belly-fat buildup, 26 weeks. Visceral (deep belly) fat fell 15.2% on tesamorelin and rose 5.0% on placebo. Triglycerides improved. IGF-1 rose 81%. More people on tesamorelin dropped out due to side effects.
Follow-up work suggests it also changes fat quality and muscle fat (2019, 2021), again in people with HIV.

New to these terms? See the glossary.

Tesamorelin FAQ

Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?

Yes, as Egrifta, but only to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy.

Is tesamorelin for weight loss?

No. The FDA label says it isn't indicated for weight-loss management and has a weight-neutral effect.

What is the tesamorelin dose?

Per the labels, Egrifta WR is 1.28 mg and Egrifta SV is 1.4 mg, injected under the skin of the abdomen once daily. The two aren't interchangeable.

Is tesamorelin banned in sports?

Yes. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names tesamorelin under S2 growth hormone releasing factors.

Not medical advice. Education only. We don't sell anything or tell you what to take. Label doses are there so you can follow along with your prescriber. Talk to a licensed clinician about your health.

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