Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin
Both are lab-made versions of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which tells the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. They differ in approval status, strength and the unit they’re measured in.
At a glance
The facts side by side. Tap a name for its calculator.
| Sermorelin | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|
| Evidence | |
| Limited human evidence. Once FDA-approved; the branded product was discontinued. | Approved drug. Sold as Egrifta, for belly fat in people with HIV. |
| Vial sizes | |
| 3, 6, 9, 15 mg | 2, 5, 10 mg |
| Usual dose range | |
| 100–500 mcg | 1–2 mg |
| How often | |
| Daily before bed | Daily (PM) |
| Unmixed | |
| Freezer −20°C | Freezer −20°C |
| After mixing | |
| Fridge 2–8°C, use within 28 days | Fridge 2–8°C, use within 28 days |
Approval
Tesamorelin is approved, as Egrifta, for one use: reducing excess belly fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Sermorelin was once approved as Geref, but the branded product was discontinued in 2008; what’s sold now is compounded or unregulated.
What the trials showed
In trials, tesamorelin raised IGF-1 and reduced deep belly fat in its approved group. Sermorelin is shorter-acting and its effect is milder. There are no head-to-head trials.
Units
Sermorelin is measured in micrograms and tesamorelin in milligrams. Check the unit on your vial before you enter anything; a mix-up is a thousand-fold error.
The short version
Tesamorelin is an approved prescription drug for one specific use. Sermorelin’s branded version was discontinued, so what’s sold now is compounded or unregulated. Either way this is prescription territory: talk to a clinician.