Tesamorelin vs Sermorelin
Which has more real evidence behind it? This compares how well each has been tested, not which one works better.
This page has not yet been reviewed by a credentialed medical professional. It is educational and is not medical advice.
Both are at the same evidence level (FDA-approved), but Tesamorelin has more randomized trials on PubMed (21 vs 0). Both are approved medicines; the right choice depends on your situation and a clinician.
The research, side by side
Counts come from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov searches and can include studies that only mention a peptide. Bars use a log scale.
| Tesamorelin | Sermorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| What people use it for | Reducing abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy (the approved use); promoted off-label for body composition. | Stimulating growth hormone release; offered by "anti-aging" and hormone clinics. |
| Approved as a medicine | Excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy | Previously approved for pediatric growth hormone deficiency; the brand is no longer marketed in the US |
| What the evidence says | FDA-approved as Egrifta for reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Clinical trials demonstrate selective visceral fat reduction without lowering subcutaneous fat. | Once approved, now sold mainly through compounding. Evidence for adult anti-aging use is limited. |
| In tested sport | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Common questions
Which is better, Tesamorelin or Sermorelin?
No study compares them head to head for most uses, so this page compares how much evidence exists, not which works better. Both are at the same evidence level (FDA-approved), but Tesamorelin has more randomized trials on PubMed (21 vs 0).
Is Tesamorelin or Sermorelin approved?
Tesamorelin: Excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Sermorelin: Previously approved for pediatric growth hormone deficiency; the brand is no longer marketed in the US.
Can you take Tesamorelin and Sermorelin together?
We found no controlled studies testing Tesamorelin and Sermorelin together, so the effects and safety of combining them are unknown. Talk to a clinician.
Keep exploring
Educational only, not medical advice. "What people use it for" describes common claims, not recommendations.