Tesamorelin: Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor Research and Visceral Fat
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of human growth hormone-releasing factor. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, which subsequently increases insulin-like growth factor 1, or IGF-1. Research has primarily focused on abnormal visceral-fat accumulation in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
In a randomized controlled trial involving 412 adults with HIV and excess abdominal fat, participants received tesamorelin or placebo for 26 weeks. Visceral adipose tissue decreased by an average of 15.2% in the tesamorelin group and increased by 5.0% in the placebo group. The study also reported reductions in triglycerides and changes in IGF-1. More participants receiving tesamorelin discontinued because of adverse events, although the overall frequency of adverse events was not significantly different between groups.
FDA-approved tesamorelin is specifically indicated for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. Its prescribing information states that it is not indicated for general weight-loss management and that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established.
Research significance
Tesamorelin research demonstrates that targeted stimulation of the growth-hormone axis can alter visceral-fat distribution in a defined clinical population. These findings should not be generalized to routine weight management, bodybuilding, anti-aging use, or independently manufactured research materials.
References
- Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357:2359–2370. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa072375.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Egrifta SV — tesamorelin prescribing information. DailyMed. Updated December 23, 2025.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Egrifta WR — tesamorelin prescribing information. DailyMed. Updated March 31, 2025.
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References to clinical trials or FDA-approved prescription products describe the specific materials and formulations evaluated in those studies. These results do not establish that an independently manufactured research material has the same identity, purity, potency, pharmacokinetics, safety, or effectiveness.
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