Tesamorelin Dosage Calculator

How Tesamorelin Dosage Calculation Works

This tesamorelin dosage calculator converts your daily dose in mg into the exact insulin syringe units to draw. Tesamorelin is dosed in milligrams per day — the FDA-approved Egrifta protocol uses 2 mg daily. To draw the correct dose on an insulin syringe, you need to know the concentration of your reconstituted vial.

1. Concentration (mcg/mL) = Vial size (mg) × 1,000 ÷ BAC water added (mL)
2. Units to draw = (Target dose in mcg ÷ Concentration) × 100 for U-100 syringe

Example: 10 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL. A 2 mg (2,000 mcg) daily dose = 2,000 ÷ 5,000 × 100 = 40 units on U-100 (0.40 mL). A 1 mg dose = 20 units. Enter your values above for an instant result.

Tesamorelin Dosing Reference

Common tesamorelin doses and syringe units at 5,000 mcg/mL (10 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water):

• 1 mg/day (1,000 mcg): 20 units on U-100 — 0.20 mL
• 2 mg/day (2,000 mcg): 40 units on U-100 — 0.40 mL (FDA-approved dose)

At this concentration, both doses fall in a comfortable, easy-to-read unit range. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to model a 10 mg vial or different BAC water volumes for multi-week supply management.

Tesamorelin for Visceral Fat Reduction

Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analog with clinical trial evidence and FDA approval specifically for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) reduction. It works by stimulating pulsatile GH release, which elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes lipolysis — particularly in the visceral fat depot (the metabolically active fat surrounding the abdominal organs). In clinical trials at 2 mg/day:

• VAT reduced by approximately 15–18% at 26 weeks
• IGF-1 levels increased by approximately 100 ng/mL on average
• Effect reverses within weeks of discontinuation
• No significant impact on glucose or HbA1c at standard doses in most subjects

Because tesamorelin stimulates endogenous GH rather than administering exogenous GH, it remains under normal pituitary feedback control — a key safety advantage over direct GH administration.

Tesamorelin vs. Sermorelin, CJC-1295, and Ipamorelin

Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog like sermorelin and CJC-1295, but with a distinct chemical modification. Sermorelin is the original GHRH(1-29) fragment with a ~7-minute half-life. CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a modified GHRH with a ~30-minute half-life. Tesamorelin has a half-life of approximately 26 minutes and is the only GHRH with FDA approval and extensive human clinical data. All three can be stacked with ipamorelin for a synergistic GH pulse. See the ipamorelin dosage calculator, CJC-1295 dosage calculator, and sermorelin dosage calculator.

Injection Timing

Tesamorelin is typically injected subcutaneously once daily. Injecting before sleep on an empty stomach leverages the natural nocturnal GH pulse. Elevated insulin from a recent meal reduces pituitary GH output, so fasting for at least 2 hours before injection is recommended. The abdominal area is the most common injection site for subcutaneous peptide administration.

Tesamorelin Benefits and Clinical Evidence

Tesamorelin is distinct from other GHRH analogs because it has undergone rigorous FDA review and large randomized controlled trials — specifically the phase 3 trials that led to Egrifta approval for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. This clinical evidence base makes tesamorelin the best-studied GHRH analog in human subjects. Its primary mechanism — stimulating pulsatile GH release under normal pituitary feedback — means IGF-1 rises to upper-normal physiological levels rather than supraphysiological ones, an important safety distinction from exogenous GH therapy.

In pivotal clinical trials at 2 mg/day subcutaneously, tesamorelin produced approximately 15–18% reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) at 26 weeks as measured by CT scan. IGF-1 levels increased by approximately 100 ng/mL on average. Lipid profiles improved as a secondary benefit: triglycerides decreased significantly and HDL cholesterol increased modestly. In longevity medicine contexts, these effects — reduced visceral fat, improved lipid ratios, and IGF-1 optimization — are the primary targets.

• Visceral fat reduction: ~15–18% VAT reduction at 26 weeks (2 mg/day dose, FDA trial data)
• IGF-1 increase: approximately +100 ng/mL from baseline, within physiological range
• Lipid improvement: significant triglyceride reduction; modest HDL increase
• Pituitary feedback preserved: GH remains under somatostatin regulation — cannot exceed physiological ceiling
• Effect reversibility: VAT reduction reverses within weeks of discontinuation, consistent with GH-mediated mechanism

Tesamorelin is the preferred GHRH analog in medically supervised longevity protocols because of its FDA approval status, well-characterized pharmacokinetics (~26-minute half-life), and the most robust human clinical evidence in the class. See the sermorelin dosage calculator and CJC-1295 dosage calculator for comparisons with other GHRH analogs.

Tesamorelin Side Effects and Safety

Tesamorelin's side effect profile is well-characterized from its FDA clinical trial program. The majority of adverse events are mild to moderate and related to GH/IGF-1 elevation or the injection itself. Serious adverse events are uncommon at the approved 2 mg/day dose.

• Injection site reactions — erythema, pain, swelling, or induration; reported in approximately 25% of patients; most common adverse event; rotate injection sites
• Peripheral edema — from water retention secondary to IGF-1 elevation; typically mild; resolves with dose reduction or cycling
• Arthralgia (joint pain) — reported in ~7–10% of patients; related to fluid distribution changes from GH elevation
• Myalgia (muscle pain) — uncommon; typically mild and transient
• Carpal tunnel syndrome — from fluid retention compressing the median nerve; more common at higher IGF-1 levels; resolves with dose adjustment
• Glucose effects — GH promotes mild insulin resistance; monitor fasting glucose in pre-diabetic or diabetic patients; not recommended if glucose intolerance worsens significantly
• Nausea — uncommon; mild and transient when it occurs

Tesamorelin is contraindicated in patients with active malignancy, as GH and IGF-1 elevation could theoretically promote tumor growth. It is also not recommended during pregnancy. Patients with untreated hypothyroidism may have a blunted response. Unlike exogenous GH, tesamorelin does not suppress endogenous GH production. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before use, particularly for glucose monitoring in metabolically vulnerable patients.

Storage and Safe Handling

Reconstituted tesamorelin should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 28 days. Never freeze reconstituted peptide. Lyophilized tesamorelin powder should be stored frozen at −20°C for long-term preservation. Use aseptic technique for every draw: wipe the stopper with an alcohol swab, use a fresh needle, and dispose of sharps in a puncture-resistant container.