Tesamorelin (brand name Egrifta) is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of the full 44-amino acid GHRH sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus. This modification improves bioavailability and resistance to enzymatic degradation.
Unlike exogenous growth hormone (HGH), tesamorelin stimulates the body’s own pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone in a pulsatile, physiological pattern. This preserves the natural feedback mechanisms that prevent excessive GH levels and associated side effects.
Originally developed and approved for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy, tesamorelin has gained significant popularity in the anti-aging and body composition optimization community for its ability to increase GH levels, reduce visceral fat, and improve body composition without the risks of direct GH administration.