Side-by-side · Research reference
SermorelinvsTesofensine
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED10/43 cited
BPhase 3AUTO-DRAFTED7/40 cited
Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day
Tesofensine
SNDRI · Phase 3 obesity candidate
Oral · Once daily morning
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Sermorelin
Tesofensine
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorWalker 1994
Serotonin / norepinephrine / dopamine transporters (SERT / NET / DAT)Astrup 2008
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994
Triple monoamine reuptake inhibition → ↑synaptic 5-HT, NE, DA → appetite suppression + thermogenesisAstrup 2008
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013
Strong appetite suppression, mild thermogenic effect, weight lossAstrup 2008
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves feedback
—
Origin
Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994
Small molecule developed by NeuroSearch (Denmark) for CNS indications, repurposed for obesity
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Sermorelin
Tesofensine
Frequency
Once daily, pre-sleep
Once daily, morning
Lower / starter dose
100 mcg per dose
0.125 mg / day
Evidence basis
Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994Molteno 2013
Phase 2b + ongoing Phase 3Astrup 2008
Duration
8–12 weeks per cycle
24 weeks per studied cycle
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
—
Timing
Pre-sleep, fasted preferred
Morning to avoid sleep disruption
Half-life
~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013
Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.
~9 days (very long)
Form
—
Oral capsule
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Sermorelin
Tesofensine
Injection site reaction
Mild erythema, transient pain
—
Flushing / headache
Common transient effect
—
IGF-1 elevation
Modest at standard doses
—
Cancer risk
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
—
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Contraindicated
Glucose handling
Generally neutral
—
Heart rate / BP
—
Dose-dependent ↑ HR + BP
Insomnia
—
Dose-related; mitigate with morning timing
Dry mouth
—
Common
Nausea
—
Common
Mood changes
—
Anxiety / agitation possible
Cardiovascular events
—
Phase 3 trial monitoring; not yet FDA-cleared
Absolute Contraindications
Sermorelin
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Tesofensine
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Severe cardiovascular disease
- ·Concurrent MAOI use
Relative Contraindications
Sermorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
Tesofensine
- ·Hypertension
- ·Anxiety disorder
- ·Insomnia
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Sermorelin
Tesofensine
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
Oral capsule (investigational; not commercial).
2. Injection site
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
Swallow whole with water, morning only.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep, fasted.
Morning to mitigate insomnia. Do not dose evening.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
Monitor BP + HR + mood. Avoid stimulants + MAOIs.
06Stack Synergy
Sermorelin
+ Ipamorelin
StrongSermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.
- Sermorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition
Tesofensine
— no documented stacks