Head to head
Tesamorelin against Somatropin
The only GHRH analogue with a current FDA approval against recombinant growth hormone. Tesamorelin is approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy on visceral fat reduction; somatropin is approved for growth hormone deficiency and several other indications. Neither is approved for ageing.
Column A
TesamorelinTesamorelin (stabilized GHRH analogue)
An FDA-approved GHRH analogue that reduces visceral fat, now also studied for cognition in older adults at Alzheimer's risk.
Column B
SomatropinSomatropin (recombinant human growth hormone)
FDA-approved recombinant human growth hormone used for growth hormone deficiency and several other approved indications.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | Tesamorelin | Somatropin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Growth Hormone | Growth Hormone |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy | FDA-approved for GH deficiency and other indications |
| Half-life | ~26-38 minutes | ~3-4 hours (subcutaneous) |
| Molecular weight | 5,135.9 Da | 22,124 Da |
| Mechanism | Activates pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate physiological, pulsatile growth hormone release, preserving hypothalamic feedback. | Directly activates growth hormone receptors, raising IGF-1 and driving growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic effects. |
| Human studies cited | 4 | 2 |
| Legal status, US | FDA-approved for a specific indication, prescription only | FDA-approved, prescription only |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Tesamorelin and Somatropin?
Tesamorelin: An FDA-approved GHRH analogue that reduces visceral fat, now also studied for cognition in older adults at Alzheimer's risk. Somatropin: FDA-approved recombinant human growth hormone used for growth hormone deficiency and several other approved indications.
Which has stronger research evidence, Tesamorelin or Somatropin?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 4 of the 5 studies cited on the Tesamorelin profile were human work, against 2 of 3 for Somatropin. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are Tesamorelin and Somatropin FDA-approved?
Tesamorelin: FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Somatropin: FDA-approved for GH deficiency and other indications.
Related posts
Blog articles that cover Tesamorelin or Somatropin, newest first.
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.