Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell any product. These are experimental or unapproved substances; we do not provide dosage, sourcing, or use guidance. Consult a licensed clinician. We link to official sources only.
Tesamorelin is a stabilized fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone that prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone. It is the one peptide in this group with a full FDA approval, sold as the brand Egrifta for a specific condition. It is a daily injection.
Because it has real approval and strong trial data for its approved use, it anchors a lot of the off-label growth-hormone-peptide conversation. Clinics market compounded tesamorelin for abdominal fat and body composition in people without the approved condition.
| Claim | Strongest evidence |
|---|---|
| Reduces excess abdominal fat in the approved HIV-related condition | A Human RCT |
| Body composition benefit in healthy adults (off-label) | C Animal |
| General anti-aging benefit | E Anecdote |
Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as Egrifta for one use: excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Any other use, and any compounded tesamorelin, is off-label and not FDA-approved. It requires a prescription from a licensed provider.
The approved brand, Egrifta, is one of the most expensive options in this group and is usually only covered for its approved use. Compounded tesamorelin is marketed at lower monthly prices for off-label goals. The gap between the two is large.
| Where | Observed price | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Egrifta (approved brand) | roughly $3,000+ / month (cash) | Usually covered only for the approved HIV-related use |
| Compounded tesamorelin (observed, approximate) | roughly $200 to $500 / month | Off-label, not FDA-reviewed, varies by pharmacy |
For the approved use the trial data is strong, but its safety in healthy adults is not established. Reported effects include injection-site reactions, joint pain, and changes in blood sugar. Compounded tesamorelin is not FDA-reviewed for quality or for off-label uses.
The approved brand Egrifta runs several thousand dollars a month in cash and is usually covered only for its approved use. Compounded tesamorelin is marketed off-label at roughly 200 to 500 dollars a month.
Yes, as Egrifta, for one use: excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Other uses and compounded versions are off-label and not FDA-approved.
The brand carries the cost of its approval and manufacturing and is priced for a covered medical use. Compounded versions are made to order and marketed off-label, which is why the monthly prices differ so much.
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Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell any product. These are experimental or unapproved substances; we do not provide dosage, sourcing, or use guidance. Consult a licensed clinician. We link to official sources only.