Somatropin (HGH) vs Tesamorelin

Name: Somatropin (HGH) vs Tesamorelin
Published: 2026-10-24

Updated Oct 24, 202611 sources

Key differences

1Tesamorelin is a GHRH analogue approved only for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; somatropin is approved for GH deficiency, growth disorders and HIV wasting.
2Both are prescription drugs, but only hGH distribution for unapproved uses is a specific federal crime.

Facts from each record, in the same words as their own pages.

Somatropin (HGH) and Tesamorelin side by side
	Somatropin (HGH)	Tesamorelin
Category	GH axis	GH axis
Evidence	Strong human trials	Strong human trials
FDA status	FDA approved as Genotropin +7Regulatory	FDA approved as Egrifta +2Regulatory
WADA	Prohibited	Prohibited
Half-life	About 3 hours after a subcutaneous dose in adults with GH deficiency; 0.4 hours when given IV. The longer SC figure reflects slow absorption.Regulatory 3.8 hours after a subcutaneous dose in healthy adults (Humatrope).Regulatory 2.5 to 2.8 hours after a subcutaneous dose in healthy adults (Omnitrope).Regulatory	8 minutes (Egrifta SV) and 11 minutes (Egrifta WR) in healthy subjects. Older figures for the original formulation are 26 to 38 minutes.Clinical study
Routes	Subcutaneous injection	Subcutaneous injection
Forms	Vial (powder), Prefilled pen	Not reported
Reported doses	0.15 to 0.3 mg (subcutaneous injection) 0.004 to 0.1 mg/kg (subcutaneous injection) 1 to 8 IU (subcutaneous injection)	1 to 2 mg (subcutaneous injection) 125 to 1,000 mcg (subcutaneous injection)
Most cited frequency	Once daily; raise by about 0.1 to 0.2 mg/day every 1 to 2 months	Once daily
Vial sizes	5.8 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 4 IU, 10 IU, 12 IURegulatory	2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mgCompetitor guide
Mixed vial keeps	Genotropin cartridge after mixing: fridge at 2 to 8 C for up to 28 days, protected from light.Regulatory	Egrifta SV: use right after mixing and discard the rest.Competitor guide
Protocols on file	10	11

Doses shown are what sources report, labelled by origin. Not medical advice.

11 sources, each checked by date. Record updated Oct 24, 2026. Numbers are restated in our own words and labelled by where they came from.