Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin blend
Also called Tesa/Ipa
Two compounds that act on growth-hormone signaling in different ways. Tesamorelin has solid clinical evidence for one specific use; the pairing with ipamorelin has not been tested.
Overview
What it is
Tesamorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. Ipamorelin is a growth-hormone secretagogue that works through the ghrelin receptor. Neither is growth hormone itself.
How it works
Tesamorelin prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone through the GHRH pathway, while ipamorelin acts through a separate receptor. Different pathways explain why people pair them, but do not prove the pair works better.
What the research shows
In a randomized trial of 404 adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat, tesamorelin reduced visceral (organ) fat by 10.9% at six months versus 0.6% with placebo; the benefit faded when people switched to placebo. Ipamorelin's early studies measured hormone release in animals, and its human trial looked at gut recovery after surgery by IV. No study tested the combination.
Studied for
- Visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophytesamorelin, FDA-approved use
- Growth hormone releaseipamorelin, animal
- Post-surgical gut recoveryipamorelin, IV trial
Safety and regulatory status
Safety and side effects
The tesamorelin label warns of elevated IGF-1, fluid retention and glucose intolerance or diabetes. Contraindications include active cancer, pregnancy and disorders of the pituitary axis. Those warnings do not describe the full safety profile of a blend.
Regulatory status
Tesamorelin (EGRIFTA) is FDA approved only for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. That approval does not extend to a tesamorelin/ipamorelin blend. Ipamorelin is not FDA approved.
Mixing and dosing reference
Reference information only. Read before using this section.
Tesamorelin 5mg + Ipamorelin 5mg (10mg Blend) Dosage Protocol
- Vial
- 10 mg total blend 5 mg Tesamorelin + 5 mg Ipamorelin
- Add diluent
- 3 mL
- Concentration
- 3.33 mg/mL
- 1 unit (U-100)
- 33.33 mcg total in 0.01 mL
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- How often
- Once per day (subcutaneous).
- Typical range
- 250–2000 mcg tesamorelin + 125–1000 mcg ipamorelin (gradual titration).
- Cycle length
- 8–16 weeks.
Standard / Gradual Approach
| Week | Tesamorelin Dose | Ipamorelin Dose | Units (mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 250 mcg (0.25 mg) | 125 mcg (0.125 mg) | 23 units (0.23 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 250 mcg (0.25 mg) | 45 units (0.45 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 1000 mcg (1.0 mg) | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 90 units (0.90 mL) |
| Weeks 7–10 | 1500 mcg (1.5 mg) | 750 mcg (0.75 mg) | 135 units (1.35 mL) |
| Weeks 11–16 | 2000 mcg (2.0 mg) | 1000 mcg (1.0 mg) | 180 units (1.80 mL) |
How to mix
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light; follow a product-specific validated use-by period.
Dosing details
- Start: 250 mcg tesamorelin + 125 mcg ipamorelin daily; increase every 2 weeks.
- Target: 1500–2000 mcg tesamorelin + 750–1000 mcg ipamorelin by Weeks 7–16.
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous).
- Cycle Length: 8–16 weeks.
- Timing: Evening or bedtime administration may align with natural GH secretion patterns; rotate injection sites.
Storage
- Lyophilized: Store at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) in dry, dark conditions; the approved tesamorelin label does not establish a shelf life for this blend.
- Reconstituted: Follow the exact formulation’s validated use-by and handling instructions; do not infer this blend’s stability from an approved tesamorelin product label.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Administration technique
- Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry.
- Pinch a skinfold; insert the needle at 45–90° into subcutaneous tissue.
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily.
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy.
Important notes
- Use new sterile insulin syringes; dispose in a sharps container.
- Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation.
- Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- Document daily dose and site rotation to maintain consistency.
- Higher‑volume injections (≥1.0 mL) may be split between two sites for comfort.
Protocol source: PeptideDosages.com
Common questions
Is this combination FDA approved?
No. Only the specific tesamorelin product for its labeled use is approved.
Does 10.9% mean 10.9% weight loss?
No. It refers to a reduction in visceral fat, not total body weight.
Can it replace testing for low growth hormone?
No. Suspected hormone problems need clinical evaluation.
Related in Metabolic Health
Sources and further reading (5)
- DailyMed. EGRIFTA WR prescribing information.
- Raun K, et al. Ipamorelin growth-hormone secretagogue experiments, 1998.
- Falutz J, et al. Tesamorelin in HIV-associated abdominal-fat accumulation, 2010.
- Beck DE, et al. Ipamorelin in postoperative ileus: randomized clinical trial, 2014.
- Source summary: PeptideDosages.com research overview (rewritten for NVO).
Laboratory research material: Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin Research Use Only