Tesamorelin

The rare GH-axis peptide with a clear FDA indication. Visceral-fat reduction in HIV lipodystrophy is documented; that is not a license to use it as a general fat-loss or anti-aging drug.

A stabilized growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog. It stimulates pituitary GH pulses, raising IGF-1, with a labeled effect of reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Pivotal trials in HIV-associated excess abdominal fat showed reductions in visceral adipose tissue with IGF-1 rises and a glucose-intolerance caution. Evidence outside that indication is thin.

FDA-approved as Egrifta for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Prescription.

Prescription Egrifta (or Egrifta WR) from a specialty pharmacy, for the labeled HIV-lipodystrophy indication, under a clinician who monitors IGF-1 and glucose.

Same four pathways as the Sourcing guide.

Specialty-tier, prior auth, and often a hub program. Coverage is indication-locked: HIV-associated excess abdominal fat, not general fat loss or 'anti-aging.' Cash price is high without a benefit.

Research-chemical GHRH analogs (CJC-1295, mod GRF) are sold as stand-ins. They are not tesamorelin, do not share its label, and are not covered.

Strand does not list vendors. See the grey market.

Edema, arthralgia, glucose worsening, injection-site reactions. Avoid in active malignancy. IGF-1 monitoring is part of labeled use.

• Edema, arthralgia, glucose worsening, injection-site reactions.
• Avoid in active malignancy. IGF-1 monitoring is part of labeled use.
• Off-label anti-aging use is not what the trials measured.

• Pivotal trial · 2007 · N Engl J Med

  Falutz et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. PMID 18057338.

• Egrifta label

  FDA prescribing information.