Tesamorelin (10 mg Vial) Dosage Protocol
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) studied for visceral adipose tissue reduction. Approved internationally for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. This page covers the 10 mg vial.
⚡ Quickstart Highlights
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Route: Subcutaneous | Frequency: Once daily | Half-life: ~25 minutes (effects last hours)
Standard Approach (3 mL = 3.33 mg/mL)
Reconstituting with 3 mL bacteriostatic water produces a concentration of 3.33 mg/mL. Volume per dose changes with concentration; mg dose itself does not change between vial sizes.
| Phase / Protocol | Dose | U-100 Units | Volume | Doses per vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (titration) | 1 mg | 30 units | 0.30 mL | 10 doses |
| Weeks 2–12+ (maintenance) | 2 mg | 60 units | 0.60 mL | 5 doses |
Reconstitution Steps
- Wipe the vial stopper and BAC water vial with alcohol; let dry.
- Draw 3 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the inside glass wall of the peptide vial. Do not aim at the powder.
- Gently swirl until fully dissolved. Do not shake.
- Label with reconstitution date. Refrigerate at 2–8°C; use within 28 days.
Supplies Needed
Estimates for an 8-week and 12-week cycle at 2 mg per dose, once daily (7 doses/week).
| Item | 8-Week Cycle | 12-Week Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin (10 mg) vials | 12 vials | 17 vials |
| Insulin syringes (U-100) | 56 | 84 |
| Bacteriostatic water (10 mL) | 4 × 10 mL | 6 × 10 mL |
| Alcohol swabs | 1 × 100-pack | 2 × 100-pack |
Protocol Overview
Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analog with dedicated visceral-fat-reduction research. The selectivity for visceral over subcutaneous fat is unusual — most metabolic compounds reduce both. Cycle lengths in HIV-lipodystrophy trials ran 26 weeks; most research-grade protocols run 12–24 weeks.
Effects are gradual — visceral fat measurements typically show change at week 12 with continued reduction through week 26.
Dosing Protocol
Two common dosing intensities:
- Standard (1 mg/day): Half of clinical trial dose. Used in milder-protocol research and as adjunct.
- Clinical (2 mg/day): Investigational dose used in HIV-lipodystrophy approval trials. Most research-grade protocols use this dose.
Cycle structure: 12–24 weeks continuous daily dosing. Visceral fat reduction continues to accumulate through the cycle. Some protocols extend to 52 weeks for sustained effect.
Timing: Evening dosing (pre-bed, within 1h of sleep) aligns with the natural overnight GH pulse. Avoid eating for 1–2 hours after.
Stacking: Sometimes combined with ipamorelin (Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin blend) for amplified GH pulse alongside visceral-fat-targeting effect.
Bloodwork cadence: Fasting glucose and HbA1c every 12 weeks — tesamorelin can mildly worsen glucose tolerance.
Storage Instructions
| State | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized | −20°C (−4°F) | Up to 24 months, dry & dark |
| Reconstituted | 2–8°C (35–46°F) | Up to 28 days, protect from light |
Important Notes
How This Works
Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid synthetic GHRH analog. A trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus extends bioactive half-life enough for once-daily administration. It binds GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating endogenous pulsatile GH release.
Because the action is upstream of GH itself, resulting GH and IGF-1 elevations follow physiological pulsatile patterns rather than the steady-state seen with exogenous GH. Studied effects include selective visceral adipose tissue reduction without comparable effect on subcutaneous fat.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Potential Benefits
- Selective visceral fat reduction (~15–18% over 26 weeks at 2 mg).
- Reductions in liver fat content.
- Improved triglyceride profile.
- Restoration of physiological GH/IGF-1 pulsatility.
Side Effect Profile
- Injection-site reactions (most common).
- Joint stiffness and arthralgia.
- Mild peripheral edema, especially first weeks.
- Carpal tunnel symptoms in a minority.
- Glucose intolerance — monitor fasting glucose.
- Headache.
Lifestyle Factors
- Inject in evening to align with natural overnight GH pulse.
- Avoid eating for 1–2 hours after dosing.
- Resistance training amplifies anabolic effects.
- Adequate sleep is critical.
- Monitor fasting glucose and HbA1c periodically.
Injection Technique
- Subcutaneous into abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- Rotate sites daily to minimize injection-site reactions.
- 90° angle with short insulin needle.
- Bring to room temperature before injecting.