Growth-hormone peptides · Evidence comparison
Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin
A gray-market GH secretagogue versus an actual FDA-approved GHRH analog — frequently compared for fat loss and 'GH' benefits.
Ipamorelin
Tesamorelin
Headline claim shown. Grades are claim-specific — see the full breakdown below.
The evidence, side by side
Every graded claim from each brief. Grades are read straight from the source-checked briefs — one molecule can be strong for one use and weak for another.
Growth hormone / recovery (GH secretagogue)
Ipamorelin
Evidence grades
Metabolic / fat reduction (GHRH analog)
Tesamorelin
Evidence grades
Regulatory status at a glance
Ipamorelin
Not FDA-approved for any use; an abandoned drug candidate now sold gray-market as a 'research only' peptide. Originally developed by Novo Nordisk (code NNC 26-0161); its only human efficacy trials (Phase 2, for postoperative ileus) failed and development was discontinued. Placed on the FDA's compounding 'Category 2' (significant safety risks) in 2023, then removed in September 2024 after the nominations were withdrawn — a procedural change that does NOT authorize compounding. At Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meetings in late 2024 the FDA recommended against adding ipamorelin to the 503A bulks list, so it cannot be legally compounded; broader peptide-compounding policy remains in flux in 2026. Prohibited in sport by WADA (S2, growth hormone secretagogues), in and out of competition.
Tesamorelin
FDA-approved prescription drug (Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR; tesamorelin), approved November 2010 for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy — its only approved indication. A synthetic GHRH (growth-hormone-releasing factor) analog given by daily subcutaneous injection. Contraindicated in active malignancy, pregnancy, and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; can raise blood sugar (glucose intolerance / diabetes). Use for general body composition, muscle building, or anti-aging in people without HIV-associated lipodystrophy is off-label and not FDA-approved. Tesamorelin sold online as a 'research chemical' is not the approved product. Prohibited in sport by WADA (S2, growth-hormone-releasing factors).
Key differences
- Tesamorelin is FDA-approved (Egrifta) and graded S+ for reducing visceral fat — but only in HIV-associated lipodystrophy; ipamorelin is unapproved, with no efficacy grade above S (a short-term GH rise).
- For general fat loss or anti-aging in healthy people, both fall to B — tesamorelin's off-label use is unstudied, and ipamorelin's marketed uses have no human trials.
- Tesamorelin is a prescription drug that can raise blood sugar; ipamorelin is a discontinued candidate sold gray-market.
- Both are WADA-banned.
The bottom line
Tesamorelin has a genuine S+ result, but for a specific approved population, not for the general fat-loss use it's sought for; ipamorelin has no comparable human efficacy data at all. We don't recommend either — the S+ grade is real but narrow, and it doesn't transfer to healthy users.
PeptideIQ Base does not recommend, rank, or endorse any peptide, dose, or product. We grade the strength of the evidence so you can read it for yourself.
Read the full briefs
Full evidence brief
Ipamorelin →
A synthetic pentapeptide that selectively triggers short-term growth-hormone release, marketed for muscle growth, fat loss, recovery, and anti-aging — but its only human efficacy trials were for a gut condition (and failed), with no human studies behind the uses it's actually sold for.
Full evidence brief
Tesamorelin →
The FDA-approved GHRH analog (Egrifta) — proven in trials to shrink excess visceral abdominal fat, but only approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy; its popular off-label use for general fat loss and anti-aging in healthy people is unstudied, and it raises blood sugar.
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The Peptide Evidence Report Card grades all our peptides S+ to C on the strength of the human evidence. Research only — no hype, never a recommendation.
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