Sermorelin vs tesamorelin: approval, evidence and cost compared

Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (as Egrifta) for one use, excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. Sermorelin has no approved product today and is compounded on a prescription, from $94 a month (DailyMed, Egrifta WR). They are close cousins, not interchangeable products.

Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. Neither peptide is among the six covered by the interim HHS policy; see our peptide legal status tracker.

Side by side

Sources: Federal Register, March 2013, DailyMed, sermorelin FDA status.

What the tesamorelin label says

The Egrifta WR label states it "is indicated for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy" (read 1 Nov 2026, label revised 3/2025). Its limitations of use are blunt: "EGRIFTA WR is not indicated for weight loss management as it has a weight neutral effect," and "Long-term cardiovascular safety of EGRIFTA WR has not been established."

The label's contraindications include hypopituitarism or pituitary surgery, active malignancy, known hypersensitivity, and pregnancy. Its warnings cover a risk of neoplasms, elevated IGF-1, fluid retention, glucose intolerance or diabetes, hypersensitivity reactions and injection site reactions (DailyMed).

What the trials show

Tesamorelin's evidence is for one population. The label describes two randomized studies of "412 HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat" and "404 HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat." Visceral fat fell in the tesamorelin groups over 26 weeks. In the extension, patients re-randomized to placebo saw visceral fat rise again, while those who stayed on the drug held steady (DailyMed).

That result applies to people with HIV lipodystrophy. We found no equivalent label or trial supporting tesamorelin for general weight loss, muscle gain or anti-aging in other adults.

Sermorelin's adult trials are smaller and older. In 11 men aged 64 to 76, strength measures partly improved but body fat on scans did not change (Vittone 1997, PubMed 9005976). A drug review found it can "specifically stimulate growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary" (Prakash and Goa, PubMed 18031173). See what sermorelin's evidence shows.

Why people ask about both

Both act on the pituitary rather than supplying growth hormone directly. Marketing often blurs them, so a program selling "tesamorelin" outside the approved brand deserves scrutiny. FDA sent warning letters in August 2026 to sellers of research-labeled products that included tesamorelin, saying their products were "intended to be drugs for human use" (FDA letter, TXP Innovations). We cover only licensed prescription programs; see research vs prescription peptides.

Cost

Sermorelin programs list monthly prices, and the cheapest today is Idun Rx at $94 a month (Sermorelin, 12 months, 12-month plan, listed per month (upfront billing not stated)). Compare them on the sermorelin price page and in our cost guide. We do not track a tesamorelin price: the approved brand is priced by the manufacturer and pharmacies, and coverage depends on your plan. Ask your insurer and prescriber.

Which fits which reader

• HIV with excess abdominal fat: tesamorelin is the one with an approved indication and trial data. Talk to your HIV clinician.
• Healthy adult asking about hormone optimization: neither has strong adult evidence. Sermorelin is the one telehealth programs prescribe; tesamorelin would be off-label.
• Anyone with active cancer, pituitary disease or pregnancy: the tesamorelin label contraindicates it. Sermorelin carries its own cautions; see side effects.

Your prescriber sets the form and amount; we do not publish doses.

FAQ

Sermorelin vs tesamorelin: which is better?

Neither is better in general. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy and has two large randomized trials there. Sermorelin has no approved product and only small adult trials. The better fit depends on your diagnosis, which a clinician has to assess.

Is tesamorelin vs sermorelin the same thing?

No. Both are growth hormone releasing hormone analogs, but tesamorelin is a different molecule sold as the FDA-approved brand Egrifta. Sermorelin is a copy of the first 29 amino acids of the natural hormone and is compounded by pharmacies on prescription.

Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?

Yes, for one use: reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. The label says it is not indicated for weight loss management. Use in anyone else is off-label, and compounded or research-labeled versions are not the approved product.

Is sermorelin FDA-approved?

Not today. Its former brand, Geref, was withdrawn, and FDA found that was not for reasons of safety or effectiveness. Pharmacies can still compound it on a prescription, but compounded sermorelin is not an FDA-approved product.

Can you get tesamorelin from a telehealth program?

We track no telehealth program that lists tesamorelin on its pricing page. Sellers offering research-labeled tesamorelin have received FDA warning letters. Ask a licensed prescriber about the approved brand if you have the labeled condition.

Does tesamorelin help with weight loss?

Its label says it is not indicated for weight loss management because it has a weight neutral effect. In trials it reduced visceral abdominal fat in people with HIV lipodystrophy, and the fat returned after treatment stopped.

Bottom line

Tesamorelin is the approved, narrow drug; sermorelin is the compounded, cheaper and less proven one. To price sermorelin, use the cost page or see our best peptide programs.