Tesamorelin
The only FDA-approved peptide for visceral fat reduction. If you're in Vietnam carrying stubborn belly fat that won't budge despite diet and exercise, tesamorelin targets exactly that.
Last updated: August 2026
Category
Growth Hormone (GHRH Analogue)
Frequency
Once daily injection (approved label)
Research
FDA Approved (Egrifta)What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a modified version of GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) that received FDA approval in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta. It was approved specifically for reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. That is a narrow indication, and it is the only one: the label states the product is not indicated for weight loss management and has a weight neutral effect, and no trial has tested it outside that population. Browse the full peptide library for related GH compounds.
What makes tesamorelin unique is the clinical data. This isn't a peptide where we're extrapolating from rat studies or relying on anecdotes. The pivotal Phase 3 trial (412 HIV patients, 26 weeks) showed visceral fat fell 15.2 percent on tesamorelin versus a 5.0 percent rise on placebo, a highly significant difference. That's the fat surrounding your organs, the metabolically dangerous stuff linked to heart disease, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation. For GLP-1-based weight loss instead, see the weight loss hub.
Most growth hormone peptides get used off-label for body composition. Tesamorelin is the exception. It has FDA approval, phase 3 trial data, and a specific indication. It is commonly discussed alongside the CJC-1295/Ipamorelin pairing (community practice, no trial), a combination no study has tested. For expats in Vietnam looking at peptides for abdominal fat, this is often where the conversation starts.
How It Works
Visceral Fat Targets: Not all body fat is equal. Subcutaneous fat, the stuff you can pinch, is relatively harmless. Visceral fat is different. It wraps around your liver, pancreas, and intestines. It actively secretes inflammatory compounds. It drives insulin resistance. You can be relatively lean everywhere else and still carry dangerous amounts of visceral fat.
GHRH Binding: Tesamorelin binds to GHRH receptors in your pituitary gland, triggering growth hormone release. Unlike synthetic HGH which delivers a constant dose, tesamorelin works with your body's natural pulsatile GH secretion. This is generally considered safer and more physiological.
Lipolysis Mechanism: The elevated GH then drives IGF-1 production in your liver. IGF-1 promotes lipolysis, the breakdown of stored fat into usable energy. The combination of elevated GH and IGF-1 creates a metabolic environment that favors fat loss, particularly from visceral stores.
Benefits
- 15.2% reduction in visceral adipose tissue against a 5.0% rise on placebo at 26 weeks (trial dose 2mg daily, not a recommendation, PMID 18057338)
- FDA approved for one narrow indication: reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. The label states it is not indicated for weight loss management
- Improved lipid profiles in the pivotal trial; no significant differences were observed in glycemic measures
- Acts through the pituitary rather than delivering growth hormone directly. The label states long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established
- Once daily subcutaneous injection into the abdomen (approved label)
- Anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits from visceral fat reduction
Dosing Described in Research and Labels
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved label (EGRIFTA SV, FDA) | 1.4mg daily (approved label) | Subcutaneous, into the abdomen, rotating sites | Per the EGRIFTA SV label |
| Approved label (EGRIFTA WR, FDA) | 1.28mg daily (approved label) | Subcutaneous, into the abdomen, rotating sites | Per the EGRIFTA WR label |
| Pivotal trial dose | 2mg daily (trial dose, not a recommendation) | Subcutaneous | 26 weeks, extended to 52 (PMID 18057338, 18690162) |
| Beyond the label | No established dose | Subcutaneous | Not established |
These figures summarise what published research and approved labels describe. They are educational, not a recommendation or a personal protocol. Any dose, schedule, or decision to use a compound belongs with a licensed prescriber.
Side Effects
Common
- ⚠Injection site reactions (redness, itching, swelling): usually mild and temporary
- ⚠Fluid retention and edema, especially in first weeks: hands, feet, face may feel puffy
- ⚠Joint pain (arthralgia) from elevated GH: wrists, fingers, knees common
- ⚠Tingling or numbness in hands from fluid retention compressing nerves
- ⚠Elevated blood glucose: monitor if diabetic or prediabetic
Rare
- •Pituitary dysfunction with very long-term use: theoretical concern
- •Significant hyperglycemia in predisposed individuals: discontinue if blood sugar becomes difficult to control
Who Should NOT Use Tesamorelin
- ✕Active malignancy or history of cancer: GH and IGF-1 can promote tumor growth
- ✕Hypersensitivity to GHRH or tesamorelin: allergic reactions possible
- ✕Pregnancy: fetal risk in animal studies
- ✕Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis from surgery, trauma, or radiation
- ✕Uncontrolled diabetes: GH effects on blood sugar make management difficult
What to Expect
Initial water retention is common as GH levels rise. You might feel puffy or notice tighter rings and shoes. Minor injection site reactions like redness or itching happen occasionally. Some people notice better sleep quality from the first week.
Water retention typically normalizes. Waist measurements start decreasing even if scale weight stays similar. Energy and recovery often improve. Skin quality may improve.
This is where the pivotal trial measured its primary endpoint: visceral fat down 15.2% at 26 weeks on 2mg daily against a 5.0% rise on placebo (trial dose, not a recommendation, PMID 18057338).
In the 52 week extension the reduction held at 18% from baseline while treatment continued, and reaccumulated in the group switched to placebo at week 26 (trial dose, not a recommendation, PMID 18690162). The authors state the effect does not last beyond the duration of treatment. Whether treatment continues is a prescribing decision; this page publishes no maintenance schedule.
Notes from Ho Chi Minh City
Tesamorelin is the GH peptide with the strongest case specifically for visceral fat, because its FDA approval, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, was earned on visceral-fat reduction rather than general body composition. It is the only compound in the GH category with an outcome trial on visceral fat specifically, which is why it comes up for the post-relocation midsection common in the Thao Dien expat demographic. The label is narrower than that use, though: HIV-associated lipodystrophy, and explicitly not weight loss management. The trials measured visceral fat by CT at 26 and 52 weeks, not at the twelve to sixteen week mark people usually ask about (trial timepoints, not a recommendation). Egrifta brand is not available in Vietnam, only research-grade vials through cold-chain importers. Dose and schedule are a prescriber's decision.
Sourcing in Vietnam
Branded Egrifta tesamorelin is not distributed in Vietnam and is not stocked at Long Châu, Pharmacity, Vinmec, or FV Hospital. Sourcing is research-grade only, through cold-chain importers who list stock by vial size. Vial size is a product spec rather than a dose, and the two should not be read as the same number when comparing listings. See the supplier list for current pricing and the COA guide before purchasing.
FAQ
Q: Is tesamorelin better than CJC-1295 for fat loss?
A: The two are not in the same evidence category. Tesamorelin: approved label, 1.4 mg subcutaneously once daily for the EGRIFTA SV presentation and 1.28 mg once daily for EGRIFTA WR, for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy (approved label). CJC-1295: single subcutaneous doses raised growth hormone 2 to 10 fold and IGF-I 1.5 to 3 fold in healthy adults, with no outcome trial in body composition (human trial, not a recommendation, PMID 16352683). Disclaimer: the tesamorelin label states plainly that the product is not indicated for weight loss management and has a weight neutral effect, and that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established. CJC-1295 has no approval in any market and no label. Cost differs as well. Which, if either, is appropriate for a given person is a prescribing decision, and this page does not make it.
Q: Can I use tesamorelin and ipamorelin together?
A: No trial has studied tesamorelin alongside ipamorelin, so there is no evidence describing that pairing and no interaction data to report. Absence of interaction data is not a finding of safety. The mechanistic argument, that tesamorelin acts at the GHRH receptor and ipamorelin at the ghrelin receptor, describes two signals rather than a tested result. Tesamorelin is an approved medicine with a narrow indication and its trials studied it on its own; ipamorelin is not approved anywhere. Whether tesamorelin is appropriate at all, and what else can safely be in play alongside it, is a prescribing decision.
Q: How long until I see results from tesamorelin?
A: The pivotal trial measured: Visceral fat down 15.2 percent at 26 weeks on 2 mg daily, against a 5.0 percent rise on placebo, with the reduction sustained at 18 percent through 52 weeks of continued treatment (trial doses, not a recommendation, PMID 18057338 and 18690162). Disclaimer: those are the only timepoints the trials reported, in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Reports of noticing waist changes by weeks 4 to 6 are community practice, no trial: the studies did not measure anything at 4 to 6 weeks. Whatever an individual notices, and when, is not something these figures predict.
Q: Does visceral fat return when I stop tesamorelin?
A: The phase 3 extension measured exactly this: Patients who stayed on tesamorelin 2 mg daily through week 52 held a visceral fat reduction of 18 percent from baseline; patients switched to placebo at week 26 reaccumulated visceral fat (trial doses, not a recommendation). Disclaimer: that is the 26 week extension of the pivotal trial, in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, the population tesamorelin is approved for (Falutz et al., AIDS, 2008, PMID 18690162). The authors state that the effects do not last beyond the duration of treatment. Note that 2 mg daily was the trial dose; the current approved labels specify 1.4 mg daily for EGRIFTA SV and 1.28 mg daily for EGRIFTA WR. What follows from any of this for one person, including whether treatment continues, is a prescribing decision, and this page publishes no maintenance schedule.
Q: Where can I buy tesamorelin in Vietnam?
A: Research grade tesamorelin is available through peptide suppliers shipping to Vietnam. Branded Egrifta is not distributed here. Check the community-verified supplier list with COA verification and cold chain shipping.
Q: What's the difference between tesamorelin and HGH?
A: Tesamorelin is a growth hormone releasing factor analogue: it acts on the pituitary so the body releases its own growth hormone. HGH is recombinant growth hormone given directly. Because the signal goes through the pituitary, tesamorelin works inside the body's own feedback and pulsatile release, whereas injected HGH bypasses both. What this page will not do is rank the two on long-term safety. No trial has compared them that way, and the tesamorelin label itself states that its long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established, so calling either one safer would be a claim with no study behind it. The HGH peptides versus injectable HGH guide covers the tradeoff in more depth.
Where to Get Tesamorelin in Vietnam
See our community-verified supplier list with COA verification and cold-chain shipping to Vietnam.
Related Peptides
Research & Sources
- Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV · Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. · New England Journal of Medicine (2007) (PMID: 18057338)
Pivotal Phase 3 trial, 412 HIV patients, 26 weeks: visceral fat fell 15.2% on tesamorelin vs rose 5.0% on placebo (p<0.001). Supported FDA approval.
- Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation · Stanley TL, Feldpausch MN, Oh J, et al. · JAMA (2014) (PMID: 25038357)
Randomized trial confirming visceral and liver fat reduction; authors describe it as a preliminary study.
- Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV · Stanley TL, Fourman LT, Feldpausch MN, et al. · The Lancet HIV (2019) (PMID: 31611038)
Hepatic fat fraction fell 37% relative to placebo (p=0.016), extending the case beyond visceral fat alone.
Important Disclaimer
Educational content only. Not medical advice. Peptides discussed on this page are not approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (Bộ Y Tế) or the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) for the indications described. Research peptides are not stocked at Long Châu, Pharmacity, or any retail pharmacy in Vietnam. Consult a licensed physician before any use.