Short answer: both are lab-made versions of the hormone that tells your pituitary to release growth hormone. Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved drug for one specific condition: excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Sermorelin has no FDA-approved product on the market today, and what online clinics prescribe is compounded. That regulatory difference matters more than the chemistry for most readers.
Medical note: this page summarizes published research and FDA labeling. It is not medical advice. Both are prescription treatments; decide with a clinician who knows your history.
The molecules
Sermorelin is, in the words of a 1999 review, "a 29 amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)."
Tesamorelin is based on the full-length hormone. The pivotal trial report describes it as "Tesamorelin (GHRH(1-44))," given "at a dose of 2 mg or identical placebo, sc, was given daily" in that study.
Regulatory status
| Sermorelin | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved product on the market | None today | Yes (EGRIFTA) |
| Approved use | Formerly children with growth hormone deficiency | Excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy |
| What online longevity clinics prescribe | Compounded | Not offered by any clinic we track |
Sermorelin. FDA "announced that it was withdrawing approval of NDA 19-863 and NDA 20-443, effective June 18, 2009," after the maker stopped selling GEREF. In 2013 FDA determined the products "were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness."
Tesamorelin. The current EGRIFTA WR label states: "EGRIFTA WR is indicated for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy." The same label adds: "EGRIFTA WR is not indicated for weight loss management as it has a weight neutral effect."
Evidence
Tesamorelin has large controlled trials, in its approved population. A pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials: "A total of 806 ART-treated HIV patients with excess abdominal fat were randomized in a 2:1 fashion to receive tesamorelin 2 mg (n = 543) or placebo (n = 263) sc daily." The main result: "At wk 26, VAT decreased significantly in tesamorelin-treated patients (-24 +/- 41 vs. 2 +/- 35 cm(2), tesamorelin vs. placebo, P < 0.001; treatment effect, -15.4%)." VAT is visceral fat, the fat around the organs. These results come from people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy and should not be assumed to transfer to anyone else.
Sermorelin has small, older studies, mostly in children. Its adult evidence is covered on our sermorelin side effects page.
Side effects and warnings
Tesamorelin, from its label:
- "Most commonly reported adverse reactions (>5%): Arthralgia, injection site erythema, injection site pruritus, pain in extremity, peripheral edema, and myalgia."
- "Fluid retention: May occur with EGRIFTA WR and may include edema, arthralgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome."
- "Glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus: May develop with EGRIFTA WR use. Evaluate glucose prior to and during therapy."
- "Monitor IGF-1 levels during EGRIFTA WR therapy."
- The label lists as contraindications: "Patients with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis ( 4 ) Patients with active malignancy ( 4 ) Patients with known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or excipients in EGRIFTA WR ( 4 ) Pregnancy ( 4 )".
Sermorelin, from the 1999 review: "Transient facial flushing and pain at injection site were the most commonly reported adverse events." There is no current FDA label to compare against.
Which one people are actually offered
None of the longevity clinics in our database lists tesamorelin. Most of them list sermorelin. If a clinic offers tesamorelin for general anti-aging use, ask whether it is the FDA-approved product or a compounded version, and why it is being prescribed outside its labeled use.
Sermorelin prices we verified
| Clinic | First month | After month one | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embody | $99 | $99 (flat, stated) | 2026-09-29 |
| MyDrHank | $137 | $137 (flat, stated) | 2026-09-29 |
| Precision Telemed | $149.99 | $179.99/mo | 2026-09-30 |
The full list, including clinics that publish only a first-month price, is on sermorelin prices: entry vs. ongoing.
Sources
- EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) prescribing information, DailyMed set ID 839334d3-8c1d-4c26-9036-2ab524a6ea75, published 3 August 2026. Read 1 October 2026.
- Falutz J, et al. Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507) in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95(9):4291-304. PubMed 20554713. Read 1 October 2026.
- Prakash A, Goa KL. Sermorelin: a review. BioDrugs 1999;12(2):139-57. PubMed 18031173. Read 1 October 2026.
- Federal Register, 4 March 2013, document 2013-04827 (GEREF). Read 1 October 2026.
