Tesamorelin (10 mg vial)
Once daily subcutaneous, evening protocol for growth hormone axis research.
Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH analog and the strongest human story in this category: FDA-approved for reducing visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The protocol below mirrors the clinical once-daily evening subcutaneous approach.
Quick answer: at the standard 10 mg + 1 mL reconstitution, a 2 mg dose of Tesamorelin draws 20 units (0.2 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe, once daily subcutaneous, evening.
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Protocol overview
Dosing & reconstitution
Frequency: Once daily subcutaneous, evening
Typical duration: 12-26 weeks
Reconstitution: 10 mg vial + 1 mL bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL. Units below are for a U-100 insulin syringe at this concentration.
| Phase | Dose | Units per injection |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1 mg | 10 units (0.1 mL) |
| Weeks 2-12+ | 2 mg | 20 units (0.2 mL) |
Units = (dose ÷ concentration) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Change the vial size or water volume and the calculator redoes all of this for you.
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Tesamorelin dosing schedule
From the approved label. Tesamorelin is the strongest-evidenced compound in this category — it holds a current FDA approval, marketed as Egrifta, for reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That specific indication is what the trials studied.
| Phase | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approved use | 2 mg | Once daily, subcutaneous | The single approved amount for the labelled indication. |
Study length: Phase 3 trials ran 26 weeks with a 26-week extension. The label notes benefit is not maintained after discontinuation.
Reconstitution and measurement
This part is arithmetic and does not depend on the evidence level. Concentration is vial size divided by the bacteriostatic water you add. Draw volume is your target amount divided by that concentration. Units are draw volume times 100, because a U-100 syringe reads 100 units per millilitre. Common vials for Tesamorelin: 10 mg.
- Wipe the stoppers of both vials with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; foaming and agitation damage peptides.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, and refrigerate at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Worked example at the calculator defaults: 10 mg + 1 mL of bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL, so on a U-100 insulin syringe 1 unit = 100 mcg of Tesamorelin. Change either input and the calculator redoes this for you.
Storage and stability
Supplies math
Whatever amounts your research uses, the planning arithmetic is the same. The calculator runs all of this per compound.
Supplies by protocol length
Based on the maintenance dose above (2 mg, once daily subcutaneous, evening) and a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 1 mL.
| Duration | Injections | Vials | Syringes | Bac water | Swabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 56 | 12 x 10 mg | 62 | 2 x 10 mL | 112 |
| 12 weeks | 84 | 17 x 10 mg | 93 | 2 x 10 mL | 168 |
| 16 weeks | 112 | 23 x 10 mg | 124 | 3 x 10 mL | 224 |
Syringe count includes ~10% spares. Swabs = 2 per injection (stopper + site). Vial count assumes the full maintenance dose for the entire duration.
Important notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose in a proper sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) systematically to reduce local irritation and avoid lipohypertrophy.
- Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
- Administer at the same time each day for consistent levels. Setting a daily reminder helps maintain the schedule.
- The 10 mg vial size is standard for this compound. Reconstitute with 1 mL bacteriostatic water for a convenient concentration.
How Tesamorelin works
A GHRH analog with a trans-3-hexenoyl group added to the N-terminus, which protects it from degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and extends its activity relative to unmodified GHRH.
Benefits & side effects
Potential benefits
- FDA-approved for HIV lipodystrophy
- Reduces visceral adipose tissue
- Preserves natural GH pulsatility
- Significant clinical trial data available
Possible side effects
- Injection site reactions (from label)
- Peripheral oedema
- Joint pain reported
- Arthralgia in some subjects
This list reflects published literature and community reports. Individual responses vary. Not medical advice.
Bloodwork worth tracking
The community-standard practice is a baseline panel before starting, a recheck 8 to 12 weeks in, and another after time off. For Tesamorelin, the markers most worth watching:
IGF-1fasting glucoselipid panel
Typical time off: 4-8 wks
Lab panels are how a research protocol stays honest: numbers move before symptoms do. Interpretation belongs with a clinician. Not medical advice.
Lifestyle factors
None of the literature above was run on a background of poor sleep and no protein. These variables move outcomes more reliably than any compound on this site.
- Protein in the 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg range preserves lean mass through any body-composition phase.
- Resistance training 2 to 4 days per week plus 150+ minutes of weekly aerobic work reinforces whatever the protocol is doing.
- Sleep is the recovery window: 7 to 9 hours at consistent times.
- Hydration matters more than usual on compounds with GI or flushing effects: 2 to 3 liters daily.
- Track the variables that matter: weigh-ins, measurements, photos, and labs at sensible intervals.
Subcutaneous technique and practical notes
General best practice from clinical injection guidance — the same fundamentals nurses are taught, none of it specific to any compound.
References
Quick answers
How many syringe units is a 2 mg dose of Tesamorelin?
At the standard reconstitution of 10 mg with 1 mL bacteriostatic water (10 mg/mL), a 2 mg dose draws 20 units (0.2 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
How do you reconstitute Tesamorelin?
Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently without shaking, and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C after mixing.
How long does a 10 mg vial of Tesamorelin last?
About 5 maintenance doses of 2 mg, roughly 0.7 weeks at once daily subcutaneous, evening.
Does Tesamorelin have human trial data?
Yes. The dosing on this page is anchored to published human research (Tesamorelin (Egrifta) prescribing information, HIV-associated lipodystrophy indication).
How does Tesamorelin work?
A GHRH analog with a trans-3-hexenoyl group added to the N-terminus, which protects it from degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and extends its activity relative to unmodified GHRH.
Sourcing Tesamorelin
Whatever you are working with, the documentation matters more than the price. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis whose lot number matches the vial you actually receive — a COA for a different batch tells you nothing about yours.
Tesamorelin at Summit Research Supply → Grade a COA first
Summit is the supplier we feature and an affiliate link. Our COA checklist applies the same way to any vendor.
