# Sermorelin vs tesamorelin: how they differ

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**Sources checked:** 2026-11-06
**Publisher:** Open Water RX LLC

By Open Water Rx Editorial Team. Published November 6, 2026. Sources checked November 6, 2026.

## Short answer

Sermorelin and tesamorelin are both versions of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), so both prompt the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The difference that matters most is FDA status. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, for one use: reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy. Its label says it is not indicated for weight loss. Sermorelin has no FDA-approved product on the market and is sold compounded.

## Sermorelin and tesamorelin side by side

| Comparison point | Sermorelin | Tesamorelin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | Synthetic GHRH peptide | Synthetic GHRH analog |
| FDA-approved product | None marketed (Geref discontinued in 2008) | Egrifta SV (2 mg vial) and Egrifta WR (11.6 mg vial) |
| Approved use | None current | Reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy |
| Weight loss | Not an approved use | Label says not indicated for weight loss management; weight neutral effect |
| How it is sold | Compounded, by prescription | Brand-name prescription drug |
| Given by | Injection under the skin; some sell sublingual forms | Injection under the skin |

## What the Egrifta labels say

- Indication: reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy.
- Limits: long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established, and it is not indicated for weight loss management.
- Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR have different strengths and different dosing instructions, each in its own label.

## How to compare them on a program menu

Both appear on peptide program menus. Tesamorelin is a brand-name drug approved for a narrow use; sermorelin is compounded. Ask any program which product you would receive, whether it is FDA-approved or compounded, and which pharmacy supplies it.

## What it costs online

This guide does not yet record tesamorelin or sermorelin prices for the programs it ranks. The one sermorelin price we read on a seller's own page is published on the HTML page and is not part of any researched figure in this guide.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between sermorelin and tesamorelin?

Both prompt growth hormone release. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved as Egrifta for reducing abdominal fat in adults with HIV lipodystrophy; sermorelin has no FDA-approved product on the market and is sold compounded.

### Is tesamorelin approved for weight loss?

No. The Egrifta label says it is not indicated for weight loss management because it has a weight neutral effect.

### Is tesamorelin FDA-approved?

Yes, as Egrifta SV and Egrifta WR, for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy.

### Is sermorelin FDA-approved?

Not today. Geref was discontinued in 2008, and sermorelin is now sold as a compounded preparation, which is not FDA-approved.

## Sources

- [Egrifta SV prescribing information, DailyMed](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3d783378-b02d-4f19-99dd-0fc91a042224)
- [Egrifta WR prescribing information, DailyMed](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=839334d3-8c1d-4c26-9036-2ab524a6ea75)
- [Mayo Clinic, Sermorelin (injection route)](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sermorelin-injection-route/description/drg-20065923)

## Related

- What is sermorelin?: https://trtbuyerguide.com/learn/sermorelin
- Sermorelin vs ipamorelin: https://trtbuyerguide.com/learn/sermorelin-vs-ipamorelin

## Publisher

Open Water RX LLC publishes this guide, GLP1BuyerGuide.com and HRTBuyerGuide.com, and operates Surfbound Health, a consumer telehealth brand. Surfbound Health is not a provider in this edition and takes no part in its ranking.

This page summarizes published prescribing information and medical references on the dates shown. It is not medical advice and does not recommend a treatment.