TL;DR: The tesamorelin figure quoted in almost every research protocol is 2mg once daily, subcutaneous. It is a stabilised GHRH analogue — it acts on the pituitary to raise the body’s own GH pulses, which is a different mechanism from the ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues like ipamorelin. This guide covers the reconstitution maths for 2mg and 5mg vials, timing, and where tesamorelin sits among the GH-axis peptides.
Tesamorelin is the GHRH analogue most researchers reach for when the goal is raising endogenous growth-hormone output through the GHRH arm of the axis. Unlike the short GH secretagogues, it has a single dominant dose that appears throughout the literature — which makes the reconstitution maths, not the dose selection, the part people actually get wrong.
The Standard Dose
The reference tesamorelin dose in the research literature is 2mg once daily, subcutaneous. This is unusually consistent — where the GH secretagogues span wide dose ranges, tesamorelin protocols overwhelmingly converge on the single 2mg figure. That consistency is why the practical questions are about concentration and timing, not how much to use.
Because the daily dose equals a whole 2mg vial’s contents, the 2mg presentation maps to one dose per vial, while the 5mg presentation is reconstituted to draw multiple 2mg doses from one vial — which is where the maths matters.
Reconstitution Maths
The reconstitution calculator handles this, but here is the logic for both vial sizes:
| Vial | BAC water | Concentration | 2mg dose draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mg | 1mL | 2mg/mL | 1.00mL (100 units) |
| 5mg | 2.5mL | 2mg/mL | 1.00mL (100 units) |
| 5mg | 2mL | 2.5mg/mL | 0.80mL (80 units) |
A 5mg vial yields more doses per vial than the 2mg presentation.
Reconstituting a 5mg vial to 2mg/mL (2.5mL BAC water) keeps the draw identical to the 2mg vial — one full millilitre per dose — which is the least error-prone option. Our reconstitution guide and dosing 101 cover the general method.
Timing
- 1
Once daily
Tesamorelin is a daily compound in the research literature, not a multi-dose-per-day one.
- 2
Evening / bedtime
Often timed to align with the natural nocturnal GH pulse.
- 3
Away from food
Administered separate from meals in most protocols.
Tesamorelin is typically studied as a once-daily compound, frequently dosed in the evening to align with the body’s largest natural GH pulse during early sleep. This is simpler than the secretagogue protocols, which often stack multiple daily administrations.
How It Differs From the GH Secretagogues
Tesamorelin is a stabilised GHRH analogue — it mimics growth-hormone-releasing hormone and acts on the GHRH receptor to amplify the pituitary’s own GH pulses. This is a distinct mechanism from the ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues:
| Compound | Class | Acts via |
|---|---|---|
| Tesamorelin | GHRH analogue | GHRH receptor |
| Sermorelin | GHRH analogue | GHRH receptor |
| Ipamorelin | Ghrelin mimetic | GHS receptor |
| CJC-1295 | GHRH analogue | GHRH receptor |
Because GHRH analogues and ghrelin mimetics act on different receptors, they are sometimes studied together — the two arms can be complementary. Our MK-677 vs GH secretagogues overview maps the wider category.
Safety, Legality & Research Disclaimers
Tesamorelin is handled here strictly as a research compound. The dosing figures above describe what appears in the research literature and are not a recommendation for use in humans. Research-grade tesamorelin is a laboratory chemical for qualified individuals and legitimate research purposes only. Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction; researchers are responsible for compliance with applicable local laws and institutional requirements. Nothing here is medical advice.
FAQ
What is the standard tesamorelin dose?
The dose quoted throughout the research literature is 2mg once daily, administered subcutaneously. Tesamorelin is unusual among GH-axis peptides in having a single dominant reference dose rather than a wide range.
How do I reconstitute a 5mg tesamorelin vial?
A common approach is 2.5mL bacteriostatic water, giving 2mg/mL — so a 2mg dose is exactly 1mL (100 units on a U-100 syringe), matching the draw of a reconstituted 2mg vial. Using 2mL instead gives 2.5mg/mL and a 0.8mL (80-unit) draw. The reconstitution calculator will confirm either.
When is tesamorelin usually dosed?
Most research protocols use it once daily, frequently in the evening to align with the natural nocturnal growth-hormone pulse.
How is tesamorelin different from ipamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analogue acting on the GHRH receptor, while ipamorelin is a ghrelin mimetic acting on the GHS receptor. They stimulate GH release through different pathways, which is why they are sometimes studied together rather than as substitutes.
References
- Research literature on tesamorelin as a stabilised GHRH analogue and its effect on endogenous GH secretion.
- Research literature comparing GHRH analogues and ghrelin-mimetic growth-hormone secretagogues.
Last updated: July 11, 2026
Disclaimer: This information is for educational and research purposes only. Peptides are research chemicals not intended for human consumption. See the tesamorelin research page for full reconstitution detail.