Tesamorelin and ipamorelin both raise growth hormone, but through different receptors and with very different standing. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog that is FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV-related visceral fat; ipamorelin is a selective GHRP sold as an unapproved research chemical. They're sometimes discussed as a GHRH + GHRP pairing.
At a glance
| Tesamorelin | Ipamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | GHRH analog | GHRP (ghrelin-receptor agonist) |
| Brand name | Egrifta | None (research chemical) |
| FDA status | Approved (HIV lipodystrophy) | Not approved |
| Mechanism | Stimulates pituitary via GHRH receptor | Triggers GH pulse via ghrelin receptor |
| Selectivity | GHRH pathway | Minimal cortisol/prolactin/appetite effect |
| Sport status | Banned (WADA) | Banned (WADA) |
The bottom line
Bottom line: Different classes and different regulatory worlds. Tesamorelin is an approved GHRH analog with a specific indication and trial evidence; ipamorelin is an unapproved, selective GHRP. Because they act on complementary receptors, they're sometimes paired conceptually — but only tesamorelin is an approved medicine, and both are banned in sport.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between tesamorelin and ipamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog (acting on the GHRH receptor) and is FDA-approved for HIV-related visceral fat, while ipamorelin is a selective GHRP (acting on the ghrelin receptor) sold as an unapproved research chemical.
Is ipamorelin approved like tesamorelin?
No. Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is FDA-approved for a specific indication; ipamorelin has no approval and is a research chemical. Both are prohibited in sport.
Can they be combined?
Because a GHRH analog and a GHRP act on complementary receptors, they are sometimes discussed together to increase growth-hormone release. Only tesamorelin is approved, and human evidence for ipamorelin is limited.
References
Combined peer-reviewed sources from both peptide guides. Inclusion is not endorsement.
- Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2007. Peer-reviewed study
- Stanley TL, Falutz J, Mamputu JC, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014. Peer-reviewed study
- Russo SC, Ockene MW, Arpante AK, et al. Efficacy and safety of tesamorelin in people with HIV on integrase inhibitors. AIDS. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Grunfeld C, Dritselis A, Kirkpatrick P. Tesamorelin. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011. Peer-reviewed study
- Dhillon S. Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Drugs. 2011. Peer-reviewed study
- Spooner LM, Olin JL. Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Ann Pharmacother. 2012. Peer-reviewed study
- Raun K, Hansen BS, Johansen NL, et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998. Peer-reviewed study
- Sinha DK, Balasubramanian A, Tatem AJ, et al. Beyond the androgen receptor: growth hormone secretagogues in the management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020. Peer-reviewed study
- Johansen PB, Nowak J, Skjaerbaek C, et al. Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999. Peer-reviewed study
- Lu Z, Ngan MP, Liu JYH, et al. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a agonists, anamorelin and ipamorelin, inhibit cisplatin-induced weight loss in ferrets: Anamorelin also exhibits anti-emetic effects via a central mechanism. Physiol Behav. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Gouda M, Ganesh CB. The influence of ghrelin agonist ipamorelin acetate on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. Anim Reprod Sci. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, et al. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers. Pharm Res. 1999. Peer-reviewed study