Short answer: tesamorelin is the rare peptide on this site with a real drug label. As Egrifta, it is approved in the US and was approved by Health Canada in 2014 for one specific use: reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That means its side effects were measured in more than 800 patients against placebo. The most common were injection-site reactions, joint pain, swelling and tingling. The most important one to know about is a higher risk of high blood sugar. Here is what the label actually says.
What tesamorelin is
Tesamorelin is a stabilized copy of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), the signal the hypothalamus sends to the pituitary. It was developed by Theratechnologies, a Montréal company. It raises growth hormone and, downstream, IGF-1. In the pivotal trials it reduced visceral (deep abdominal) fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The label is explicit that it is not a weight-loss drug and that its long-term cardiovascular effects are not established.
Side effects from the trials, vs placebo
Two 26-week randomized, double-blind trials compared tesamorelin (543 patients) with placebo (263 patients). These are the reactions that occurred in at least 1% of patients and more often than with placebo:
| Side effect | Tesamorelin | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Injection-site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling) | 17% | 6% |
| Joint pain (arthralgia) | 13% | 11% |
| Pain in arms or legs | 6% | 5% |
| Muscle pain | 6% | 2% |
| Swelling of the legs or feet | 6% | 2% |
| Tingling (paresthesia) | 5% | 2% |
| Reduced sensation (hypoesthesia) | 4% | 2% |
| Rash | 4% | 2% |
| Vomiting | 3% | 0% |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | 1% | 0% |
Most of these trace back to one mechanism: growth hormone makes the body hold more fluid, and fluid around joints and nerves causes aches, swelling and tingling.
The warnings that matter most
- Blood sugar. In the trials, HbA1c reached the diabetes threshold (6.5% or higher) in 5% of tesamorelin patients vs 1% on placebo. The label calls for glucose monitoring.
- IGF-1. Tesamorelin raises IGF-1. The effects of keeping it elevated for long periods are unknown, so the label recommends monitoring.
- Allergic reactions. About 4% of patients had hypersensitivity reactions such as itching, flushing, hives or rash.
- Cancer. Tesamorelin is contraindicated in active cancer, and treatment should stop if a cancer recurs.
Who should not use it
The label lists four contraindications: disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (pituitary surgery or tumour, head radiation or trauma), active malignancy, known hypersensitivity, and pregnancy.
Prescription Egrifta vs research tesamorelin
Important difference: the side-effect data above comes from pharmaceutical-grade Egrifta, used under medical supervision with monitoring. A research-grade vial is a different product. Its purity, dose accuracy and sterility depend entirely on the manufacturer, which is why the COA matters (see how to read a COA). Outside the prescribed indication, Health Canada treats tesamorelin sold online as an unauthorized drug and named it in its April 2026 advisory.
See TrueLabs Tesamorelin and its COA →
Frequently asked questions
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What are the side effects of tesamorelin?
In 26-week trials, the most common side effects were injection-site reactions (17% vs 6% on placebo), joint pain (13% vs 11%), muscle pain, swelling of the legs, and tingling. Higher blood sugar was the most important warning.
Does tesamorelin raise blood sugar?
Yes. HbA1c reached 6.5% or more in 5% of patients on tesamorelin vs 1% on placebo, and the label recommends monitoring glucose.
Is tesamorelin approved in Canada?
Egrifta (tesamorelin) was approved by Health Canada in 2014 to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Tesamorelin sold online as a research peptide is not an authorized product.
Is tesamorelin a weight-loss drug?
No. Its label states it is not indicated for weight-loss management. It was approved to reduce visceral fat in one specific condition.
Who should not take tesamorelin?
The label lists pituitary disorders or surgery, active cancer, known allergy to tesamorelin, and pregnancy as contraindications.
Is tesamorelin banned in sport?
Yes. As a growth hormone-releasing factor, it is prohibited by WADA under S2.
Related reading
- What is tesamorelin? Trials, approvals and research
- CJC-1295 side effects
- CJC-1295 vs tesamorelin vs ipamorelin
- Ipamorelin side effects: what the trial shows
- How to read a peptide COA
References
- EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection) prescribing information, adverse reactions and warnings. Drugs.com · FDA label
- Theratechnologies. Health Canada approves EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection). April 30, 2014. GlobeNewswire
- Health Canada. Think twice before injecting peptides bought online. Public advisory, April 9, 2026. Health Canada
All TrueLabs products are sold for in vitro and laboratory research use only. They are not intended for human or veterinary use, and nothing in this article is medical advice. Egrifta is a prescription drug; talk to a doctor about it.