# Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin: How They Differ | PepVault

Source: https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/sermorelin-vs-tesamorelin

Last updated: 2026-10-12

[Library](https://pepvault.app/peptides) [Comparisons](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare) Sermorelin vs Tesamorelin

Compared side by side

# Sermorelin vs tesamorelin: how they differ

Reviewed October 2026 [How we check the library](https://pepvault.app/about#library)

## 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](https://pepvault.app/peptides/sermorelin) | [Tesamorelin](https://pepvault.app/peptides/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 |

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

[Every card for sermorelin, with its sources](https://pepvault.app/peptides/sermorelin#weeks)

### Tesamorelin

- Day 1–14 Targeting the deep belly fat
- Day 14–56 Visceral fat is mobilizing

[Every card for tesamorelin, with its sources](https://pepvault.app/peptides/tesamorelin#weeks)

## 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

- [Sermorelin: dosage, half-life & reference guide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/sermorelin)
- [Tesamorelin: dosage, half-life & reference guide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/tesamorelin)
- [Sermorelin dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/sermorelin)
- [Tesamorelin dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/tesamorelin)

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.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6779318649?pt=129020030&ct=compound-vs-band&mt=8)

[Explore the live demo](https://pepvault.app/login)

## More comparisons

- [All peptide comparisons](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare)
- [Ipamorelin vs Sermorelin](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/ipamorelin-vs-sermorelin)
- [Retatrutide vs Tirzepatide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/retatrutide-vs-tirzepatide)
- [Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/semaglutide-vs-tirzepatide)
- [Retatrutide vs Semaglutide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/retatrutide-vs-semaglutide)
- [Mazdutide vs Tirzepatide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/mazdutide-vs-tirzepatide)
- [Survodutide vs Retatrutide](https://pepvault.app/peptides/compare/survodutide-vs-retatrutide)

## The library

- [The peptide reference library](https://pepvault.app/peptides)
- [Growth hormone peptides](https://pepvault.app/peptides#growth-hormone)

## Free tools

- [The Dose Guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage)
- [Half-life & active level](https://pepvault.app/tools/peptide-half-life-calculator)
- [Reconstitution calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator)

PepVault is a research and tracking resource, not medical advice. Ranges are what studies used, never a dose for you. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; PepVault is independent of them.

PepVault is a private research and tracking tool, not medical advice. The information here is reference material from published literature and community use — always verify it and discuss any protocol with a qualified clinician before changing it.

© 2026 PepVault