Protocol
Tesamorelin (10mg Vial)
Complete dosage protocol and reconstitution guide for Tesamorelin (10mg Vial).
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Run the vial math before tracking.
At ~3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit ~ 33.3 mcg ; 1 mg ~ 30 units and 2 mg ~ 60 units on a U-100 syringe.
01 · At a glance
Quickstart Highlights
Tesamorelin is a synthetic, stabilized analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-44). It prompts pituitary growth-hormone release, raises IGF-1, and is FDA-approved as Egrifta / Egrifta SV for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Other uses are off-label or research-only, and this page is presented as an educational protocol reference.
02 · Dosing & reconstitution
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
A single practical dilution with accurate once-daily dosing. The 2 mg daily dose is the FDA-approved regimen for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; the one-week 1 mg step is a tolerability ramp, not a TNHL recommendation.
Standard / Gradual Titration
Frequency: one subcutaneous injection each day. Evening administration is often used to align with nocturnal growth-hormone physiology, but timing should follow clinician direction and the user's actual protocol.
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
- Release it slowly down the vial's inner wall to limit foaming.
- Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved; do not shake.
- Label with the date and concentration, then refrigerate at 2-8 C, shielded from light.
03 · What you'll need
Supplies Needed
Quantities below assume an 8-16 week once-daily protocol at 2 mg/day after the optional Week 1 titration.
- 8 weeks: about 11 vials
- 12 weeks: about 17 vials
- 16 weeks: about 22 vials
- Per injection: 1 syringe
- 8 weeks once daily: about 56 syringes
- 16 weeks once daily: about 112 syringes
- 8 weeks: about 33 mL, or 4 bottles
- 16 weeks: about 66 mL, or 7 bottles
- Per injection: 2 swabs
- 8 weeks once daily: about 112 swabs
- 16 weeks once daily: about 224 swabs
Protocol Overview
- Goal: educational tracking around visceral-fat, lipid, and IGF-1-related research outcomes in the approved population.
- Schedule: daily subcutaneous injections; clinical protocols commonly run 12-26 weeks, with longer use requiring monitoring.
- Dose: 2 mg (2000 mcg) once daily after an optional Week 1 titration at 1 mg.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial gives about 3.33 mg/mL.
- Storage: refrigerate the dry vial unless formulation instructions say otherwise; once mixed, refrigerate and do not freeze.
Dosing Protocol
- Week 1 (optional): 1 mg / 1000 mcg once daily to assess tolerability.
- Weeks 2+: 2 mg / 2000 mcg once daily, the standard approved regimen.
- Frequency: one subcutaneous injection per day.
- Cycle length: often 12-26 weeks in clinical use, with longer durations requiring monitoring.
- Timing: evening administration is commonly used; rotate injection sites systematically.
Storage Instructions
- Lyophilized vial: store at 2-8 C unless the product formulation allows room-temperature storage.
- Reconstituted with bacteriostatic water: refrigerate at 2-8 C.
- Reconstituted with sterile water: use immediately and discard unused remainder if product instructions require it.
- Freeze-thaw: do not freeze the mixed solution and avoid repeated temperature cycling.
04 · Good to know
Important Notes
- Use a fresh sterile U-100 insulin syringe each time and discard it into a puncture-resistant sharps container.
- Rotate sites across appropriate subcutaneous areas to reduce irritation and lipohypertrophy.
- Because tesamorelin stimulates GH/IGF-1, IGF-1 and glucose monitoring may be relevant for some users.
- Log dose, date, draw amount, injection site, and observations so the protocol stays consistent.
- Tesamorelin is prescription-only for its approved indication; any other use is off-label or research-only and should follow applicable law and professional guidance.
05 · How it works
How This Works
Tesamorelin is a modified 44-amino-acid GHRH analog designed to resist rapid breakdown compared with native GHRH.
It binds GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland, encouraging pulsatile growth-hormone release and raising circulating IGF-1 while still working through normal feedback pathways.
The downstream GH/IGF-1 signal promotes lipolysis and metabolic shifts. Its clearest documented effect is reducing visceral adipose tissue in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy over months of daily use.
Research also explores questions such as liver-fat reduction and age-related GH/IGF-1 changes, but those uses remain investigational.
06 · Daily habits
Lifestyle Factors
- Nutrition: use a balanced, protein-forward diet when body-composition tracking is part of the goal.
- Activity: combine resistance training with aerobic work when clinically appropriate.
- Sleep: keep sleep timing and quality consistent because natural GH rhythms are sleep-linked.
- Stress: log stress and recovery habits so adherence and symptom patterns are easier to interpret.
07 · What to expect
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Potential Benefits
- Visceral fat: clinical studies report meaningful reductions in visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
- Lipids and liver-fat signals: studies report metabolic signals such as lipid changes, and research interest exists around liver fat.
- Tolerability: benefits in studied populations can be maintained with continuous monitored use.
- Scope: approved benefits are specific to HIV-associated lipodystrophy; anti-aging, cognition, and general body-composition uses are investigational or off-label.
Side Effects & Cautions
- Injection-site reactions: redness, itching, pain, bruising, or local irritation can occur.
- Musculoskeletal effects: joint pain, muscle aches, edema, or carpal-tunnel-type tingling have been reported.
- Metabolic monitoring: IGF-1 elevation and glucose/A1c changes may require monitoring.
- Contraindications and cautions include active malignancy, pregnancy, and hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or formulation components.
08 · Technique
Injection Technique
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wipe the vial stopper with an alcohol swab and let it dry.
- Choose and clean an appropriate subcutaneous site, then let it dry fully.
- Draw the intended amount and clear visible air bubbles.
- Pinch a skinfold at the chosen site.
- Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle depending on tissue depth and guidance.
- Do not aspirate for routine subcutaneous shots unless specifically instructed.
- Press the plunger slowly and steadily.
- Wait several seconds, then remove the needle straight out.
- Dispose of the used syringe in a puncture-resistant sharps container.
- Return the reconstituted vial to refrigerated storage promptly.
- Rotate the next injection site.
- Watch for unusual redness, swelling, pain, or signs of infection and seek professional help when needed.
09 · Evidence
References
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