Last week: Sermorelin, the elegant idea. This week: Tesamorelin - its bigger sibling, and the evidence heavyweight of the growth hormone peptide world.

Jake and Cynthia unpack Tesamorelin — the full forty-four amino acid growth hormone releasing factor with a protective chemical cap, two Phase three trials, visceral fat down fourteen to eighteen percent, lean body mass up, liver fat down, and an FDA approval (Egrifta) with a formulation modernization: Egrifta WR, approved March 2025 and in pharmacies since September 2025.

Plus the honest limits: a narrow approved use, maintenance required, and long-term cardiovascular safety still an open file.

Also: the weekly GLP pulse — the growing evidence that GLP-1s curb drug and alcohol cravings (PBS NewsHour), plus new research on compulsive gambling and shopping (CBS News).

For research and informational purposes only — not medical advice.

Sources:

• PBS NewsHour — The evidence suggesting GLP-1s can curb drug and alcohol cravings (Oct 7, 2026): https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-evidence-suggesting-glp-1s-can-curb-drug-and-alcohol-cravings

• CBS News — Doctor explains how GLP-1 drugs could help reduce gambling, shopping addiction (Oct 9, 2026): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/glp-1-drugs-wharton-study-impulsive-spending/

• Medscape — Tesamorelin reduces visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Phase 3 data): https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/732450

• Theratechnologies / Drugs.com — FDA Approval for EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin F8), March 25, 2025: https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/theratechnologies-receives-fda-approval-egrifta-wr-tesamorelin-f8-excess-visceral-abdominal-fat-6482.html

• Theratechnologies — Availability of EGRIFTA WR, September 5, 2025: https://www.cbj.ca/theratechnologies-announces-availability-of-egrifta-wr-tesamorelin-for-injection-to-reduce-excess-abdominal-fat-in-adults-with-hiv-and-lipodystrophy/

• Stanley & Grinspoon — Effect of Tesamorelin on Liver Fat and Visceral Fat in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation (JAMA / PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4363137/

• Peptpedia — Tesamorelin (Egrifta): FDA-Approved, Visceral Fat Data: https://peptpedia.org/peptide/tesamorelin