Tesamorelin: GHRH(1-44) with trans-3-hexenoic acid
An FDA-approved GHRH analogue with extensive clinical documentation for body composition research.
Quick Reference
| Research Dosage | 1-2mg daily |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once daily |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection |
| FDA Status | Approved (Egrifta, 2010) |
| Reconstitution | 2mL bacteriostatic water |
| Storage | Refrigerate after reconstitution |
Tesamorelin holds a unique position among GHRH peptides – it's FDA-approved (2010) under the brand name Egrifta. This regulatory status means Tesamorelin has more clinical documentation than virtually any other research peptide: multiple Phase 3 clinical trials, established safety profiles, published pharmacokinetics, and peer-reviewed efficacy data.
Structurally, Tesamorelin consists of human GHRH(1-44) – the full-length sequence – with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus that enhances stability. For researchers, Tesamorelin offers something rare: a GHRH analogue with extensive human clinical data.
Why Tesamorelin Stands Out
FDA approval provides a level of documentation that is rare for GHRH analogues:
Clinical Trial Evidence
- Multiple Phase 3 Clinical Trials: Large-scale human studies with hundreds of subjects
- Established Safety Data: Documented adverse event profile from clinical trials
- Published Pharmacokinetics: Known absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion parameters
- Peer-Reviewed Efficacy: Published results in major medical journals
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Passed FDA review process for safety and efficacy
- Known Drug Interactions: Documented interactions from clinical use
Research Applications
Clinical-Grade GHRH Research
Tesamorelin enables research with a compound that has:
- Established human safety data from Phase 3 trials
- Known effective dose ranges validated in clinical settings
- Published pharmacokinetic parameters
- Clinical trial comparators available in published literature
Body Composition Research
FDA approval was based on effects on body composition, specifically visceral adipose tissue reduction:
- Documented effects on trunk fat in clinical trials
- Peer-reviewed publications on lipodystrophy treatment
- Known response rates and timelines from Phase 3 data
- Established protocols for visceral fat assessment
GH Axis Research
As a full-length GHRH(1-44) analogue, Tesamorelin provides:
- Potent GHRH receptor agonist activity
- Documented GH and IGF-1 elevation in human subjects
- Known dose-response relationships from clinical data
- Physiological pulsatile GH release pattern
Dosage Information
Standard Research Dosages
Research protocols typically reference 1-2mg daily, consistent with the FDA-approved clinical dosing. The Phase 3 clinical trials utilised 2mg daily administered via subcutaneous injection.
Administration Protocol
- Dosage: 1-2mg once daily
- Timing: Typically administered in the evening or before bed
- Route: Subcutaneous injection (abdominal area commonly used in clinical trials)
- Duration: Clinical trials ranged from 26-52 weeks
Comparison to Other GHRH Peptides
Tesamorelin dosing differs from truncated GHRH analogues:
- Tesamorelin: 1-2mg daily (full-length GHRH 1-44)
- Sermorelin: 200-300mcg daily (GHRH 1-29)
- CJC-1295 No DAC: 100-200mcg 2-3 times daily (Modified GHRH 1-29)
The higher dosing reflects Tesamorelin's larger molecular size and the clinical protocols established during FDA approval trials.
Reconstitution Guide
Required Materials
- Tesamorelin lyophilised powder (5mg or 10mg vial)
- Bacteriostatic water (water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol)
- Sterile insulin syringe for reconstitution
- Alcohol swabs for sterile technique
Reconstitution Steps
- Allow the Tesamorelin vial to reach room temperature before reconstitution
- Draw 2mL of bacteriostatic water into the syringe
- Insert the needle into the vial and direct the stream of water down the inside wall – do not spray directly onto the powder
- Allow the powder to dissolve naturally without shaking. Gentle swirling is acceptable if needed. Complete dissolution typically occurs within a few minutes. The solution should be clear.
- Store reconstituted solution refrigerated at 2-8°C immediately after reconstitution
Concentration Reference Table
| Vial Size | Water Added | Concentration | 1mg Dose | 2mg Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5mg | 2mL | 2.5mg/mL | 40 units (0.4mL) | 80 units (0.8mL) |
| 10mg | 2mL | 5mg/mL | 20 units (0.2mL) | 40 units (0.4mL) |
| 10mg | 4mL | 2.5mg/mL | 40 units (0.4mL) | 80 units (0.8mL) |
Storage Guidelines
Lyophilised (Powder) Form
- Refrigeration (2-8°C) recommended for optimal stability
- Stable for 12+ months when properly refrigerated
- Freezing (-20°C) extends stability to 24+ months
- Protect from light and moisture
- Keep vial sealed until ready for reconstitution
Reconstituted Solution
- Must be refrigerated at 2-8°C
- Use within 4 weeks when stored correctly
- Do not freeze after reconstitution
- Avoid repeated temperature fluctuations
- Use sterile technique when drawing doses to prevent contamination
- Discard if solution becomes cloudy or contains particles
The Science: Full-Length GHRH Analogue
Structure and Modification
Tesamorelin's structure consists of two key components:
- Full-length GHRH(1-44) sequence: The complete natural human growth hormone-releasing hormone
- Trans-3-hexenoic acid modification: Attached at the N-terminus to enhance stability
The trans-3-hexenoic acid modification provides protection against enzymatic degradation without altering receptor binding affinity. This approach differs from truncated analogues like CJC-1295 which modify the GHRH(1-29) fragment.
Why Full-Length GHRH(1-44)?
While GHRH(1-29) contains full receptor-binding activity, the complete 1-44 sequence was chosen for Tesamorelin development because:
- Represents the complete natural hormone sequence
- May have pharmacokinetic advantages in vivo
- This formulation successfully passed FDA approval process
- Clinical trials demonstrated efficacy with this structure
Mechanism of Action
Tesamorelin acts as a potent GHRH receptor agonist:
- Binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells
- Stimulates synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone
- Maintains physiological GH secretion patterns
- Documented increases in IGF-1 levels in clinical trials
Visceral Fat Research
The FDA approval was specifically for lipodystrophy-associated excess abdominal fat. Clinical trials demonstrated:
- Significant reduction in trunk fat measured by CT scan
- Reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT)
- Effects observed within 26 weeks of treatment
- Improvements in patient-perceived belly appearance
The mechanism is believed to involve GH-mediated lipolysis, with the somatotropic axis playing a key role in adipose tissue metabolism and distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tesamorelin research
What makes Tesamorelin different from other GHRH peptides?
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (2010) under the brand name Egrifta, giving it more clinical documentation than virtually any other research peptide. It has multiple Phase 3 clinical trials, established safety profiles, published pharmacokinetics, and peer-reviewed efficacy data. This regulatory status provides researchers with a GHRH analogue backed by extensive human clinical evidence.
What is the structure of Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin consists of full-length human GHRH(1-44) with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus. This modification enhances stability without altering receptor binding. Unlike truncated analogues like CJC-1295 which use GHRH(1-29), Tesamorelin uses the complete natural 44-amino acid sequence.
Why does Tesamorelin use the full GHRH(1-44) sequence?
While GHRH(1-29) contains the full receptor-binding activity, the complete 1-44 sequence may have pharmacokinetic advantages and represents the complete natural hormone. This is the formulation that received FDA approval, demonstrating efficacy in clinical trials.
What was Tesamorelin FDA-approved for?
Tesamorelin (Egrifta) was FDA-approved in 2010 for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The approval was based on multiple Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrating significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue.
How does Tesamorelin compare to Sermorelin?
Both are GHRH analogues, but Tesamorelin uses the full GHRH(1-44) sequence with the trans-3-hexenoic acid modification, while Sermorelin is GHRH(1-29). Tesamorelin has FDA approval and extensive Phase 3 trial data, whereas Sermorelin has regulatory history but less recent clinical documentation. Tesamorelin is generally dosed at 1-2mg daily versus Sermorelin at 200-300mcg.
What clinical data exists for Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin has multiple Phase 3 clinical trials with hundreds of subjects, published pharmacokinetic parameters, documented adverse event profiles, known drug interactions, and peer-reviewed efficacy publications in major medical journals. This level of human clinical documentation is rare among GHRH peptides.
What is the recommended research dosage for Tesamorelin?
Research protocols typically reference 1-2mg daily via subcutaneous injection, consistent with the FDA-approved clinical dosing. The clinical trials used 2mg daily, administered once per day.
How should Tesamorelin be stored?
Lyophilised (powder) form should be refrigerated at 2-8°C for optimal stability. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, the solution must be refrigerated and used within 4 weeks. Do not freeze reconstituted solution.
Technical Specifications
| Systematic Name | Tesamorelin acetate |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Tesa, TH9507, Egrifta, Theratechnologies GHRH |
| Amino Acid Count | 44 |
| Sequence | trans-3-hexenoic acid-YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL-NH2 |
| Molecular Formula | C221H366N72O67S1 |
| Molecular Weight | ~5135 Da |
| CAS Number | 218949-48-5 |
| Isoelectric Point | ~10.5 |
| Net Charge (pH 7) | +5 |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilised powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water and aqueous buffers |
| Purity (PurposeLabs) | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Storage (Lyophilised) | -20°C long-term, 2-8°C short-term |
| Storage (Reconstituted) | 2-8°C, use within 4-6 weeks |
Quality: Australian University Testing
Why Peptide Quality Matters
The research peptide market contains products of highly variable quality. Independent testing of products from various suppliers has revealed significant issues:
- Purity levels as low as 50% in products claiming "99% purity"
- Incorrect amino acid sequences (entirely wrong peptides)
- Truncated sequences (missing amino acids)
- Bacterial endotoxin contamination
- Oxidised or degraded peptides with reduced activity
Our Testing Protocol
Every batch of Tesamorelin from PurposeLabs undergoes comprehensive testing at a leading proteomics laboratory based at an Australian university in Sydney – one of Australia's premier analytical facilities.
Confirms purity levels of ≥99%, identifies any impurities or degradation products.
Verifies exact molecular weight, confirms correct amino acid sequence.
Determines actual peptide content versus salt, moisture, and counter-ions.
Why Australian University Testing?
Our testing partner is an established, verifiable proteomics facility at a major Australian university, with published research credentials, transparent methodology, and no commercial conflict of interest. This contrasts with overseas "certificates of analysis" from unknown or unverifiable laboratories.
Shop Tesamorelin
Australian university tested. 99%+ purity verified by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Fast shipping from Sydney.
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References
Key studies and publications for researchers:
- Falutz J, et al. "Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV." New England Journal of Medicine, 2007.
- Falutz J, et al. "Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2010.
- Stanley TL, et al. "Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial." JAMA, 2014.
- Dhillon S. "Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy." Drugs, 2011.
- Spooner LM, Olin JL. "Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy." Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2012.
- FDA Egrifta (tesamorelin) Prescribing Information. Theratechnologies Inc., 2010.
- Koutkia P, et al. "Growth hormone-releasing hormone in HIV-infected men with lipodystrophy: a randomized controlled trial." JAMA, 2004.
- Lo J, et al. "Tesamorelin reduces visceral fat and improves insulin resistance in patients with HIV lipodystrophy." Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2016.
Disclaimer
All products sold by PurposeLabs are intended for laboratory and research use only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with qualified healthcare professionals for any health-related decisions.
Tesamorelin is not approved by the TGA for therapeutic use in Australia. Products are sold strictly for research purposes in accordance with Australian regulations.