On this page
- Quick reference
- Dosage chart and four steps
- Supplies needed
- Peptide Reconstitution Simulator
- Vial and research context
- Tesamorelin Dose and Formulation Context
- Tesamorelin Dosage Schedule in Phase 3 Trials
- How Tesamorelin Works Through GHRH and Growth Hormone
- Tesamorelin Results for Visceral Abdominal Fat
- Liver Fat and Metabolic Research
- Tesamorelin Injection Sites and Administration
- Tesamorelin Medicine Side Effects, IGF-1, and Glucose Monitoring
- Tesamorelin Dosage Questions
- Research Evidence and Important Limits
- References
- Related research, protocols, and guides
Tesamorelin Quick Reference (10 mg Vial)
- Vial contents
- 10 mg Tesamorelin
- Final volume
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 3.33 mg/mL
- One U-100 unit
- 33.33 mcg in 0.01 mL
Research context: For evidence on mechanisms, human and preclinical research, limitations, and safety, read Tesamorelin Peptide: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, and Research.
Tesamorelin Dosage Chart
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Educational guide for reconstitution and daily dosing
Phase 3 Research Schedule (3.0 mL = ~3.33 mg/mL)
| Research Period | Daily Dose (mg / mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–26 | 2 mg / 2000 mcg | 60 units (0.60 mL) |
Frequency: Once daily by subcutaneous injection. Phase 3 trials evaluated 2 mg daily for 26 weeks, with extension data through 52 weeks.[3][12] This research schedule is distinct from the current EGRIFTA SV label, which uses a different formulation and 1.4 mg dose.[7]
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl until dissolved (do not shake).
- Label with the compound, concentration, and preparation date; refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
Storage note: Bacteriostatic water does not establish a universal use-by period. Follow the exact product label and formulation-specific stability instructions.
Supplies Needed
Supply estimates below use the published phase 3 research amount of 2 mg once daily for 8-, 12-, and 16-week calculation periods.
-
Peptide Vials (Tesamorelin, 10 mg each):
- 8 weeks: 12 vials (112 mg total)
- 12 weeks: 17 vials (168 mg total)
- 16 weeks: 23 vials (224 mg total)
-
Insulin Syringes (U-100, 1 mL capacity):
- Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
- 16 weeks: 112 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use 3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (12 vials): 36 mL — 4 bottles required (10 mL each)
- 12 weeks (17 vials): 51 mL — 6 bottles required (10 mL each)
- 16 weeks (23 vials): 69 mL — 7 bottles required (10 mL each)
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs — 2 boxes required (100 swabs each)
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs — 2 boxes required (100 swabs each)
- 16 weeks: 224 swabs — 3 boxes required (100 swabs each)
Peptide Reconstitution Simulator
Practice preparing this vial with the verified strength and final volume from this protocol.
Tesamorelin Vial and Research Context
- Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial → ~3.33 mg/mL concentration.
- Phase 3 research amount: 2 mg (2000 mcg) once daily by subcutaneous injection.
- Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 33.3 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
- Storage: Lyophilized: refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); reconstituted: refrigerate and follow the exact formulation’s validated use-by period.
Tesamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that stimulates pituitary growth hormone release and can increase IGF-1.[1][2] Human trials have primarily evaluated once-daily subcutaneous tesamorelin in adults with HIV-associated excess abdominal fat.[3] The vial calculations on this page are a research translation for a 10 mg vial, not prescribing instructions for an approved tesamorelin product.
Tesamorelin Dose and Formulation Context
A tesamorelin dosage cannot be interpreted from milligrams alone because vial strength, final volume, concentration, and formulation-specific instructions determine the measured volume. The current EGRIFTA SV label applies to its 2 mg single-dose vial and states a 1.4 mg once-daily dose after reconstitution with the supplied sterile water.[7] The label also states that its preparation instructions differ from the earlier 1 mg formulation.
This 10 mg research-vial page instead uses a 3.0 mL final volume, producing 3.33 mg/mL. At that concentration, 2 mg equals 0.60 mL or 60 U-100 syringe units. The product listing supports the 10 mg vial identity, not a clinical regimen.[10]
Tesamorelin Dosage Schedule in Phase 3 Trials
Large phase 3 studies evaluated tesamorelin 2 mg by subcutaneous injection once daily in adults with HIV-associated excess abdominal fat. A pooled analysis included 806 participants and followed the randomized schedule for 26 weeks, with extension data through 52 weeks.[3] A separate 12-month trial also used 2 mg once daily and found that visceral-fat reductions were maintained in participants who continued treatment, while the earlier improvement was lost after switching to placebo.[12]
The research schedule above uses the published 2 mg daily amount as a calculation example for this vial. It does not establish a loading phase or strength-dependent dose.
How Tesamorelin Works Through GHRH and Growth Hormone
Tesamorelin is an analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone. It acts at receptors in the pituitary gland, increases pulsatile growth hormone release, and raises circulating IGF-1.[1][2] That pathway differs from administering growth hormone directly and helps explain why the clinical literature monitors IGF-1, glucose, fluid retention, and injection-site reactions.
Tesamorelin Results for Visceral Abdominal Fat
In a randomized trial of 412 adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation, 2 mg of tesamorelin daily for 26 weeks reduced visceral adipose tissue by 15.2%, compared with a 5.0% increase with placebo. Triglycerides and the total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio also improved in the tesamorelin group.[11]
Subsequent phase 3 analyses found reductions in visceral fat, improvements in selected lipid measures, and maintained effects during continued treatment.[3][14] These findings come from defined HIV populations and do not establish tesamorelin as a general weight-loss treatment. The current FDA label specifically states that EGRIFTA SV is not indicated for weight-loss management.[7]
Liver Fat and Metabolic Research
A six-month randomized clinical trial in 50 antiretroviral-treated adults with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation used 2 mg once daily. Tesamorelin reduced visceral fat and produced a modest reduction in liver fat compared with placebo; fasting glucose rose at two weeks but the between-group glucose differences were not significant at six months.[13]
A later 12-month trial in people with HIV and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease found a greater reduction in hepatic fat fraction with tesamorelin than placebo.[15] A more recent analysis found comparable body-composition effects among participants using integrase inhibitors, without evidence of worsened glycemic control in that study.[16] These trials address specific populations and do not establish a universal tesamorelin protocol.
Tesamorelin Injection Sites and Administration
Clinical and prescribing sources describe subcutaneous administration in the abdomen with injection-site rotation.[6][7] General subcutaneous technique includes cleaning the vial and skin, allowing alcohol to dry, using a new sterile syringe, and disposing of the syringe in an approved sharps container.[9]
Do not transfer the supplied-diluent instructions, immediate-use requirement, or injection volume from EGRIFTA SV to a separately supplied 10 mg research vial. Those products have different vial strengths and preparation systems.[7]
Tesamorelin Medicine Side Effects, IGF-1, and Glucose Monitoring
Labeling and clinical references identify injection-site reactions, fluid retention, joint or muscle symptoms, carpal-tunnel symptoms, hypersensitivity, elevated IGF-1, and glucose intolerance or diabetes risk as important considerations.[1][7][8] A randomized study in people with type 2 diabetes also evaluated metabolic safety, underscoring that population and monitoring context matter when interpreting results.[4]
Injection-site reactions may include redness, itching, pain, bruising, and swelling. The current FDA label directs users of its specific medicine to let the supplied components reach room temperature before mixing, inject the prepared dose subcutaneously, rotate injection sites, and place used needles and syringes in a sharps container.[7] These formulation-specific directions do not validate the preparation of a separately supplied research container.
The label also states that the approved medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy because reducing visceral fat offers no benefit and may cause fetal harm; anyone who can become pregnant should review the product-specific warning with a qualified clinician.[7]
Exploratory cognitive research has also been reported, but it does not establish a schedule for cognitive enhancement or healthy aging.[5]
Tesamorelin Dosage Questions
What tesamorelin dosage was used in phase 3 research?
The phase 3 HIV studies used 2 mg by subcutaneous injection once daily for 26 weeks, with extension observations through 52 weeks.[3][12]
How many U-100 units equal 2 mg from this 10 mg vial?
With a 10 mg vial prepared to 3.0 mL, the concentration is 3.33 mg/mL. Two milligrams equals 0.60 mL, which is 60 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. U-100 units are volume markings, not peptide international units.
Does a 10 mg vial change the tesamorelin dosage per day?
No. Vial strength changes concentration, syringe volume, vial yield, and supply counts. It does not by itself change the underlying research amount or frequency.
Can Researchers Use Tesamorelin Data Across Formulations?
No. A tesamorelin study or label applies to the formulation that was actually evaluated. Dose, diluent, concentration, injection volume, storage, and handling cannot be transferred solely because the active peptide has the same name.[7]
What if a Participant Misses a Dose?
Research studies and approved labeling define missed-dose procedures prospectively. This calculation page does not create catch-up instructions; follow the study protocol or product-specific prescribing information and do not double an amount based on this chart.[7]
Is the 10 mg research container the same as EGRIFTA SV?
No. EGRIFTA SV is a specific FDA-approved 2 mg single-dose formulation with its own supplied diluent, preparation instructions, 1.4 mg dose, and immediate-use requirement.[7]
Research Evidence and Important Limits
The strongest dosage evidence is tied to specific pharmaceutical formulations and adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy or related metabolic conditions. A separately supplied 10 mg vial has different preparation variables and is not validated by those trials merely because it contains the same peptide. This page provides research calculations and source context, not medical advice or a recommendation for human use.
References
- 1Tesamorelin – LiverTox, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2018)
- 2Tesamorelin (Subcutaneous Route) – Mayo Clinic
- 3Effects of Tesamorelin in HIV-Infected Patients With Excess Abdominal Fat: Pooled Phase 3 Analysis – Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2010)
- 4Safety and Metabolic Effects of Tesamorelin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes – PLOS ONE (2017)
- 5Tesamorelin Can Improve Cognitive Function – Nature Reviews Endocrinology research highlight (2012)
- 6Tesamorelin Injection – MedlinePlus Drug Information
- 7EGRIFTA SV Prescribing Information – U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- 8Tesamorelin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and Warnings – Drugs.com
- 9Administration of Parenteral Medications – Open RN Nursing Skills, NCBI Bookshelf (2023)
- 10Pure Lab Peptides Tesamorelin 10 mg Product Page – product identity and supplier information
- 11Metabolic Effects of a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor in Patients With HIV – New England Journal of Medicine (2007)
- 12Effects of Tesamorelin in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation – Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2010)
- 13Effect of Tesamorelin on Visceral Fat and Liver Fat in HIV-Infected Patients – JAMA (2014)
- 14Reduction in Visceral Adiposity Is Associated With an Improved Metabolic Profile – Clinical Infectious Diseases (2012)
- 15Effects of Tesamorelin on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in HIV – Lancet HIV (2019)
- 16Efficacy and Safety of Tesamorelin in People With HIV on Integrase Inhibitors – AIDS (2024)
Related research, protocols, and guides
Explore the available research context, protocol variants or comparisons, and practical guides. When vial-strength variants exist, they remain separate because vial strength, concentration, and syringe-unit calculations can differ. Related compounds and blends are comparisons only, not interchangeable.
Research overview
Other vial-strength protocols
Related protocols and comparisons