People asking how to take tesamorelin usually find one of two things: a leaflet written for an older version of the drug, or a peptide page that types a dose and links nothing. There is a better source. The approved Egrifta products have prescribing information and patient instructions on DailyMed [1] [2]. This page reads those labels in plain words. It leaves the technique to the people the label assigns it to: your prescriber and pharmacist.
Short answer: once a day, under the skin, as the label says
Both current Egrifta labels state one dose injected under the skin once daily [1] [2]. The dose and the preparation are specific to each formulation. Both labels cover one use: reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV who have lipodystrophy.
The patient instructions add one line that matters: your healthcare provider should show you how to mix and inject it before your first dose [1]. Use the instructions for the product dispensed to you, with training from your care team.
| Question | Egrifta label answer | Where in the label |
|---|---|---|
| How often? | Once daily | Section 2.1, both labels |
| Which route? | Under the skin (subcutaneous) | Section 2.1, both labels |
| What time of day? | Not stated | Nowhere |
| Can SV and WR be swapped? | No: "not substitutable" | Section 2.1, WR label |
| How long? | No fixed end date; the prescriber reassesses benefit and risks | Sections 5.2 and 5.4 |
| Who should not use it? | Four groups, including pregnancy | Section 4 |
Two labels, two products: SV and WR are not interchangeable
Egrifta SV comes as single-dose vials, prepared fresh for each injection [1]. Egrifta WR is one vial that is prepared once and supplies daily doses for 7 days [2]. The WR label says the two differ in dose, in the number of vials per dose, in preparation and in storage, and that they are not substitutable [2].
In practice, that means a switch between them is a new prescription with new instructions. It isn't a swap you make at home. Storage questions are covered in does tesamorelin need to be refrigerated.
| Egrifta SV | Egrifta WR | |
|---|---|---|
| Vial | Single-dose vial | One vial covers 7 daily doses |
| How often it is prepared | For each injection | Once a week |
| How often it is injected | Once a day | Once a day |
| Patient information revised | March 2024 | March 2025 |
From the two DailyMed labels. Preparation and storage steps are in each label and taught by your pharmacist.
How often? Every day, not once a week
The "weekly" part of Egrifta WR refers to preparing a new vial each week. The injection itself is still once a day [2]. The WR patient instructions describe it as "weekly mixing and daily injection" [2].
Some pages call WR a weekly shot. The label does not.
Morning or night? The label does not say
Neither Egrifta label names a time of day [1] [2]. The pivotal trial gave tesamorelin as a daily injection, and its published summary doesn't name a time either [3]. Your prescriber may pick a time so that it stays the same each day. Ask which time they want and why.
How long do people take it? The label sets no stop date
The label has no fixed end point. In the two phase 3 trials, people who stayed on tesamorelin after week 26 kept their reduction in belly fat through week 52 [4].
The label also tells prescribers when to consider stopping. One case is IGF-1 that stays very high, especially when the drug isn't clearly working (section 5.2). Another is new glucose intolerance or diabetes in someone without a clear response (section 5.4) [1]. That is why blood tests are part of the plan. High IGF-1 is common on this drug: in the 26-week trials, 47% of people on it had IGF-1 above 2 standard deviation scores, and 36% were above 3 [1]. The label says the effects of IGF-1 staying high for a long time are unknown. Whether it works for its approved use is covered in does tesamorelin work.
Who should not take it, according to the label
- People whose hypothalamic-pituitary axis is disrupted, for example after pituitary surgery, head radiation or head trauma.
- People with an active cancer.
- People with a known allergy to tesamorelin or an ingredient in the product.
- People who are pregnant.
Those four come from section 4 of both labels [1] [2]. Side effects, warnings and the blood-sugar checks are on is tesamorelin safe.
The approved population includes eligible women; pregnancy is contraindicated
The label isn't limited to men. In the first pivotal trial, 86% of the 412 participants were men [3], so there is less data on women. Egrifta is contraindicated in pregnancy, and the label gives the reason: reducing belly fat offers no benefit during pregnancy and could harm the fetus [1].
What about unapproved "tesamorelin peptide" products?
Since March 23, 2020, tesamorelin has been regulated as a biologic [5]. FDA's notice to compounders says products that moved to biologic status on that date are not eligible for the 503A and 503B compounding exemptions [6].
Such a vial has no FDA-approved label and does not qualify for the 503A or 503B compounding exemptions. Its contents and instructions cannot be validated from the Egrifta label. The full status is on is tesamorelin FDA approved.
What your pharmacist and prescriber will cover
- Which formulation you're getting, SV or WR, and how its preparation works.
- What time of day they want you to take it.
- What to do if you miss a dose; ask your prescriber for product-specific instructions.
- Which blood tests you'll have, including IGF-1 and blood sugar, and how often.
- Who to call about a reaction where you inject, or signs of an allergic reaction.