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№ 013

Tesamorelin

GHRH analog. FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Used off-label for visceral fat reduction.

GH-axis
Evidence: Strong
Half-life
~30 minutes
Route
Subcutaneous
Cycle
12-26 weeks typical
Schedule
Once daily
In plain English

Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved GH-axis peptide that specifically targets visceral fat — the deep belly fat around organs. Daily injection. Slow burn, but the visceral fat reduction is well-documented.

Status & legality
Natty?
Not natty
FDA
Approved

Approved as Egrifta, 2010, for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Compounding
Approved drug

Available as an FDA-approved drug, not a compounded peptide.

WADA
Banned (S2)
Prescribed

Yes for HIV indication. Off-label use outside that scope is common but not on-label.

Who it's for

  • →Users targeting visceral (deep abdominal) fat specifically
  • →Older adults wanting GH-axis support without HGH
  • →People with elevated visceral fat on DEXA

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Sleep deepens. Nothing visual yet.

  2. Week 4

    Subtle waist measurement changes for users tracking carefully.

  3. Week 8

    Visceral fat reduction visible on imaging in clinical trials.

Dosing protocol

1-2 mg sub-q daily. Taken at the same time each day, ideally before bed.

Stacks well with

Standalone
Some users add Ipamorelin for amplified pulse, though not formally studied

Side effects

01Injection-site reaction
02Fluid retention
03Joint stiffness
04Numb/tingling extremities

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Active malignancy
  • ⚠Pituitary disorders
  • ⚠Pregnancy / nursing

Bloodwork to monitor

  • • IGF-1 baseline + every 6 weeks
  • • Fasting glucose

Common mistakes

  • • Expecting subcutaneous fat loss (it primarily targets visceral)
  • • Stopping before week 12 (the response builds over months)
  • • Not measuring visceral fat at baseline so you can't tell if it worked

Educational only. User-specific dosing is between you and a qualified provider.

Frequently asked

What is Tesamorelin?+
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved GH-axis peptide that specifically targets visceral fat — the deep belly fat around organs. Daily injection. Slow burn, but the visceral fat reduction is well-documented.
Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?+
Approved as Egrifta, 2010, for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Is Tesamorelin banned by WADA?+
Tesamorelin is on the WADA prohibited list under Banned (S2).
Are you still natty after taking Tesamorelin?+
No. Tesamorelin is a performance-enhancing peptide and would disqualify a strict natty claim.
Do doctors prescribe Tesamorelin?+
Yes for HIV indication. Off-label use outside that scope is common but not on-label.
What's the typical dose of Tesamorelin?+
1-2 mg sub-q daily. Taken at the same time each day, ideally before bed.
What are the side effects of Tesamorelin?+
Common side effects include: Injection-site reaction; Fluid retention; Joint stiffness; Numb/tingling extremities. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until Tesamorelin starts working?+
Sleep deepens. Nothing visual yet.