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Strong human trialsFDA approved as Egrifta +2

Tesamorelin side effects

Also known as: Tesamorelin acetate · TH9507 · Tesa · Egrifta · Egrifta SV · Egrifta WR

Updated 29 sources

11 side effects reported for Tesamorelin: 9 from studies and labels, 2 from users and guides. 3 come with the ways people manage them.

Tesamorelin overview

Side effects reported in studies and labels

Rates as each trial or label states them. A rate from one trial does not carry over to research-grade vials or other doses.

From trials and regulators9

Clinical studies and regulatory documents.

  • Injection-site reaction

    17% on Egrifta vs 6% on placebo over 26 weeks (543 vs 263 people)

    How people manage it

    • Rotate sites across the abdomen, as the label directs.

  • Joint pain (arthralgia)

    13% on Egrifta vs 11% on placebo

  • Pain in arms or legs

    6% on Egrifta vs 5% on placebo

  • Muscle pain (myalgia)

    6% on Egrifta vs 2% on placebo

  • Swelling in hands or feet (peripheral edema)

    6% on Egrifta vs 2% on placebo. The label lists fluid retention, including carpal tunnel symptoms, as a warning

  • Tingling (paresthesia)

    5% on Egrifta vs 2% on placebo

  • Reduced skin sensation (hypoesthesia)

    4% on Egrifta vs 2% on placebo

  • Rash

    4% on Egrifta vs 2% on placebo. Hypersensitivity is a label warning

  • New diabetes (HbA1c 6.5% or higher)

    5% on Egrifta vs 1% on placebo. Glucose intolerance is a label warning

    How people manage it

    • The label says to check glucose before starting and during treatment.

Side effects users and guides report

What people post and what dosing guides list. These are reports, not measured rates.

From users and guides2

Community reports, competitor and vendor guides, media.

  • High IGF-1

    IGF-1 above 2 SDS in 47% and above 3 SDS in 36% of people at 26 weeks

    How people manage it

    • The label says to consider stopping if IGF-1 stays above 3 SDS and the fat response is weak.
    • Guides check IGF-1, fasting glucose and HbA1c at baseline and again around week 8, and cut to 1 mg if IGF-1 runs high.

  • Redness, itch, mild swelling and joint stiffness early on

    Guide timeline: injection redness or itch in weeks 1 to 2, mild edema and joint stiffness in weeks 2 to 4

How much is known

Strong human trials

Randomized trials in an approved indication. NEJM 2007 (412 people, 26 weeks, 2 mg): visceral fat down 15.2% vs up 5.0% on placebo, triglycerides down 50 mg/dL, IGF-1 up 81%. Pooled Phase 3 (806 people): IGF-1 up 108 ng/mL. Outside HIV: a 12-week type 2 diabetes trial showed no glucose worsening. Other trials used 1 or 2 mg for 2 weeks to 12 months.

Sources for these side effects

3 sources, each checked by date. Record updated Oct 23, 2026. Numbers are restated in our own words and labelled by where they came from.

Regulatory1

  1. Egrifta SV labelDailyMed · checked Oct 23, 2026

Competitor guide2

  1. Tesamorelin dosage chartPeptidesExplorer · checked Oct 23, 2026
  2. Tesamorelin dosage guideBodyHackGuide · checked Oct 23, 2026

Back to the full Tesamorelin page for dosing, the vial chart and storage.