Tesamorelin is a 44 amino acid long, synthetic growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. It was primarily developed and used to treat visceral fat buildup in HIV positive patients suffering from lipodystrophy  (a condition characterized by abnormal fat distribution). 

Tesamorelin peptide activates GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland, resulting in growth hormone synthesis and release. This GH release further stimulates the production of Ilike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is naturally low in obese and diabetic patients.

The good thing about tesamorelin is that it was approved in the US back in 2010 for the treatment of abdominal fat in HIV positive patients as a part of the antiviral therapy-related lipodystrophy. It has also been evaluated as a potential therapy of insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver and, of course, obesity. These clinical studies are still ongoing and we’ll need more information to confirm its effectiveness. 

The usual tesamorelin dosage for patients is 2mg given in the form of a subcutaneous injection, once a week. As for the side effects, patients did not report that many, but from the ones we have documented, most common are:

• Application site irritation
• Itching
• Peripheral edema
• Mild nausea
• Redness

More importantly, tirzepatide therapy was not associated with hepatotoxicity and is very unlikely to cause any clinically apparent liver injuries.

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