The short answer
Both are synthetic GHRH analogues that stimulate the body’s own growth hormone release, and both are short-lived: about 11–12 minutes for sermorelin and 8–11 for tesamorelin. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy, and in two phase 3 trials it cut visceral fat about 15% in 26 weeks. Sermorelin was FDA-approved for GH deficiency in children until its maker discontinued it in 2008.
Side by side
| Compared | Sermorelin | Tesamorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth hormone | Growth hormone |
| Also known as | GHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29 | Egrifta |
| What it is | A synthetic copy of the first 29 amino acids of your natural growth hormone releasing hormone: it prompts your pituitary to release its own GH, keeping the body's feedback loops in play. | The only GHRH analog currently FDA-approved (to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy). |
| How it works | Synthetic analogue of endogenous GHRH. Stimulates the pituitary to produce and secrete GH naturally. Considered a more physiological approach to GH optimization compared to exogenous GH. | Synthetic GHRH analogue FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Stimulates GH secretion, reduces visceral adiposity, and improves body composition. Its half-life is short, close to sermorelin's (8–11 minutes on the current labels). |
| Commonly reported | Deeper sleep and vivid dreams in the first weeks, with gentle, slow-building effects, milder than CJC/ipamorelin. It was FDA-approved as a diagnostic test (1990) and to treat GH deficiency in children (1997) until the maker discontinued it in 2008, not for safety reasons. | Waist and belly shrinking while body weight barely moves, with injection-site redness and early joint aches. |
| Studied range | Research range: 200–500 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. | Research range: 1–2 mg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. FDA-approved as Egrifta WR (1.28 mg) and Egrifta SV (1.4 mg), SubQ once daily, to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy. |
| How often | Daily, before bed | Daily |
| Half-life | ~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ) | ~8–11 min (current EGRIFTA SV/WR labels; the original label listed ~26 min) |
| Route | SubQ injection | SubQ injection |
| Typical run | 3–6 months common; considered a more physiological approach so longer cycles are used. | FDA approval context: daily use. Community typically runs 12–24 weeks. Reassess at 3 months. |
| Evidence | Established: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists | Established: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists |
| Common side effects | Headache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention | Injection site reaction, fluid retention, joint pain, nausea, glucose dysregulation |
- Category
- SermorelinGrowth hormone
- TesamorelinGrowth hormone
- Also known as
- SermorelinGHRH 1-29, GRF 1-29
- TesamorelinEgrifta
- What it is
- SermorelinA synthetic copy of the first 29 amino acids of your natural growth hormone releasing hormone: it prompts your pituitary to release its own GH, keeping the body's feedback loops in play.
- TesamorelinThe only GHRH analog currently FDA-approved (to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy).
- How it works
- SermorelinSynthetic analogue of endogenous GHRH. Stimulates the pituitary to produce and secrete GH naturally. Considered a more physiological approach to GH optimization compared to exogenous GH.
- TesamorelinSynthetic GHRH analogue FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Stimulates GH secretion, reduces visceral adiposity, and improves body composition. Its half-life is short, close to sermorelin's (8–11 minutes on the current labels).
- Commonly reported
- SermorelinDeeper sleep and vivid dreams in the first weeks, with gentle, slow-building effects, milder than CJC/ipamorelin. It was FDA-approved as a diagnostic test (1990) and to treat GH deficiency in children (1997) until the maker discontinued it in 2008, not for safety reasons.
- TesamorelinWaist and belly shrinking while body weight barely moves, with injection-site redness and early joint aches.
- Studied range
- SermorelinResearch range: 200–500 mcg, starting dose 200 mcg. Studied in research — not a recommendation.
- TesamorelinResearch range: 1–2 mg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. FDA-approved as Egrifta WR (1.28 mg) and Egrifta SV (1.4 mg), SubQ once daily, to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy.
- How often
- SermorelinDaily, before bed
- TesamorelinDaily
- Half-life
- Sermorelin~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ)
- Tesamorelin~8–11 min (current EGRIFTA SV/WR labels; the original label listed ~26 min)
- Route
- SermorelinSubQ injection
- TesamorelinSubQ injection
- Typical run
- Sermorelin3–6 months common; considered a more physiological approach so longer cycles are used.
- TesamorelinFDA approval context: daily use. Community typically runs 12–24 weeks. Reassess at 3 months.
- Evidence
- SermorelinEstablished: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists
- TesamorelinEstablished: clinical trials or FDA-approved use exists
- Common side effects
- SermorelinHeadache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention
- TesamorelinInjection site reaction, fluid retention, joint pain, nausea, glucose dysregulation
Typical run: Community practice — opinions vary. Not a clinical recommendation.
Week by week
Each entry’s cards by day window, as the compound pages show them. Day 1 is the day you start it.
Sermorelin
- Day 1–14 Sleep is the first signal
- Day 14–42 Recovery and skin are responding
- Day 42–180 The long game is paying off
Tesamorelin
- Day 1–14 Targeting the deep belly fat
- Day 14–56 Visceral fat is mobilizing
Questions people ask
How long do sermorelin and tesamorelin last?
The half-life of sermorelin is ~11–12 min (US Geref label, after IV or SubQ). The half-life of tesamorelin is ~8–11 min (current EGRIFTA SV/WR labels; the original label listed ~26 min).
How often are sermorelin and tesamorelin taken?
Sermorelin: daily, before bed. Route: SubQ injection. Tesamorelin: daily. Route: SubQ injection.
How are sermorelin and tesamorelin dosed in research?
The research range for sermorelin is 200–500 mcg, with a 200 mcg starting dose. Studied in research — not a recommendation. The research range for tesamorelin is 1–2 mg. Studied in research — not a recommendation. FDA-approved as Egrifta WR (1.28 mg) and Egrifta SV (1.4 mg), SubQ once daily, to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy.
What are the common side effects of sermorelin and tesamorelin?
For sermorelin, the library lists: headache, flushing, dizziness, nausea, injection site reaction, water retention. For tesamorelin: injection site reaction, fluid retention, joint pain, nausea, glucose dysregulation.
Each one in full
PepVault for iPhone
Track either one in PepVault
Log every dose of sermorelin or tesamorelin, with reminders on your schedule. 7 days free on the yearly plan for new subscribers.
