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Evidence brief

Tesamorelin

Written and source-checked by Anthony Treviso, founder of The Peptide Field.

Direct answer

An FDA-approved product exists for a narrow indication.

An approved medicine for one specific HIV-related body-composition outcome. It is not a general weight-loss or anti-aging medicine.

How strong is the evidence?
Established
An official agency review or strong, repeated studies in people support one clear use. That evidence applies only to the product, people, and use we reviewed. It does not mean the product is safe or effective for everyone.
What evidence exists?
Approved human outcomes
Approved products have evidence from studies in people that measured health results for specific uses. This does not show that every product, person, or use has the same result.
Sports rules
Prohibited
The checked rules list this substance or group as prohibited under the stated conditions. Check the current rules for your sport.

Reviewed August 1, 2026. Sources and update notes are below.

No sales or dosing advice. This guide explains research. It was not independently medically reviewed, and it does not diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment.

Also known as Egrifta SV · Egrifta WR · TH9507 · GHRF analogue

Part of Growth hormone peptides

Words used here

indication
the approved or studied use and patient group
outcome
what the study measured
analog
a changed version made to act like another substance
formulation
the ingredients and physical form of the finished product
compounded
made for one patient by a pharmacy, or in batches by a permitted outsourcing facility; a compounded drug is not FDA-approved
randomized
assigned to study groups by chance
peptide
a short chain of amino acids
amino acid
a small building block that makes peptides and proteins
More detailProduct and study details

01 · Evidence profile

Four questions about the evidence

Benefits in peopleDid people have a meaningful health benefit?
StrongSeveral reliable sources describe this clearly.

Phase 3 trials support visceral-adipose-tissue reduction in the labeled HIV population.

Body changes in peopleDid a study measure how it changed the body in people? This alone does not show a health benefit.
StrongSeveral reliable sources describe this clearly.

The approved label characterizes IGF-1 response, exposure, and product-specific use.

Known risksHow much do studies tell us about risks in people?
StrongSeveral reliable sources describe this clearly.

The label describes neoplasm, glucose, fluid-retention, hypersensitivity, and other risks.

Exact productHow certain are the product identity and quality?
StrongSeveral reliable sources describe this clearly.

High for authentic Egrifta SV; no automatic transfer to other formulations.

02 · Identity

What it is

Tesamorelin is a changed version of a body signal that releases growth hormone. The approved product has a narrow labeled group of people and outcome.

Scientific group: Growth hormone-releasing factor analogue. This group name describes the type of molecule or body signal. It does not prove a benefit, safety, or approval.

03 · Exact product

The molecule is not the finished product.

Formulation: The finished product's ingredients and physical form. Route: How the product enters the body. Indication: The approved or studied use and group of people for a product.

Egrifta SV

2024 label
Formulation
2 mg single-dose vial
Route
Subcutaneous
Indication scope
Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy; not indicated for weight-loss management.
Open published FDA label ↗

Egrifta WR

March 2025
Formulation
11.6 mg single-patient-use multidose vial
Route
Subcutaneous
Indication scope
Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy; not indicated for weight-loss management.
Open published FDA label ↗
Approved products
  • Egrifta SV
  • Egrifta WR
Approved or reviewed uses
  • Reduction of excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy

04 · Research results

What the research shows

What the evidence shows

Controlled trials in adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation found less visceral fat, which is fat around internal organs. The Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR labels say the products are not indicated for weight-loss management and that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established. Their formulations are not substitutable.

What remains unknown

These results do not establish general fat loss, muscle gain, anti-aging benefit, athletic recovery, or equivalent outcomes from compounded products.

Exact product

The two approved products are not interchangeable. Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR are approved, non-substitutable formulations with product-specific labeling. Tesamorelin sold or compounded outside those products is not automatically equivalent.

05 · Claim check

Claims I checked

3 claims checked for this brief.

Body compositionWhat research measured about body fat, lean mass, or related body changes.

“Tesamorelin reduces visceral fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.”

Supported with scopeThe reviewed evidence supports this exact statement only in the situation described below.

Phase 3 trials and the product label support this outcome in the labeled population.

Evidence used
Randomized human outcomes. This answer uses a study that assigned people to groups by chance and measured a health outcome.
Limits of this answer
Adults with HIV and excess abdominal fat meeting the trial and label criteria. This answer covers only the named molecule and finished product. It also covers the product form and how people used it. The study limits include who took part, what was used for comparison, what changed, and how long the study lasted.
Open the full claim record ↗
Approval and statusWhether a specific product has an approval or another official status.

“Tesamorelin is an approved general weight-loss drug.”

MisleadingThis statement leaves out a limit that changes its meaning.

The label specifically says it is not indicated for weight-loss management.

Evidence used
Regulatory or product record. This answer uses an official regulator record or a specific product label.
Limits of this answer
The current Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR labels. This answer covers only the named molecule and finished product. It also covers the product form and how people used it. The study limits include who took part, what was used for comparison, what changed, and how long the study lasted.
Open the full claim record ↗
Performance and recoveryWhat research does or does not show about physical performance or recovery.

“Tesamorelin is permitted for competitive athletes.”

MisleadingThis statement leaves out a limit that changes its meaning.

The 2026 WADA Prohibited List names tesamorelin in the S2 peptide-hormone and growth-factor category, which is prohibited at all times for covered athletes.

Evidence used
Regulatory or product record. This answer uses an official regulator record or a specific product label.
Limits of this answer
Sport governed by the World Anti-Doping Code. This answer covers only the named molecule and finished product. It also covers the product form and how people used it. The study limits include who took part, what was used for comparison, what changed, and how long the study lasted.
Open the full claim record ↗

06 · Questions

Questions people ask about Tesamorelin

Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?

An FDA-approved product exists for a narrow indication. Approved products identified: Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR.

Is Tesamorelin banned in sport?

Prohibited. Tesamorelin is named as a prohibited growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List and is prohibited at all times for covered athletes. This status is not personal clearance to compete.

What does the evidence show for Tesamorelin?

Controlled trials in adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation found less visceral fat, which is fat around internal organs. The Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR labels say the products are not indicated for weight-loss management and that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established. Their formulations are not substitutable.

What is still unknown about Tesamorelin?

These results do not establish general fat loss, muscle gain, anti-aging benefit, athletic recovery, or equivalent outcomes from compounded products.

07 · Safety

Safety limits for this record

This prescription drug has benefits for a specific group and important monitoring requirements. No dosing, cycling, stacking, or performance-use guidance is provided.

Sports rules · Prohibited

Tesamorelin is named as a prohibited growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List and is prohibited at all times for covered athletes.

The checked rules list this substance or group as prohibited under the stated conditions. Check the current rules for your sport.

Reviewed .Check current rules for tested sport ↗Open the governing record ↗

08 · Sources

Read the sources

09 · Review history

Review history

Revalidated the current Egrifta WR indication and weight-loss limitation against FDA labeling, and confirmed tesamorelin remains named on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.

Updated for Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR product identity, non-substitutability, phase 3 outcomes, and the 2026 WADA list.

Written and source-checked by Anthony Treviso, founder of The Peptide Field.

Not independently medically reviewed. This page is not a dosing, sourcing, or treatment guide.