Ipamorelin vs Tesamorelin
Verdict: They pull the same growth-hormone lever from two different ends. Ipamorelin is a selective GH secretagogue — a clean ghrelin mimetic that triggers a GH pulse with minimal cortisol or appetite effect, dosed in micrograms around bedtime. Tesamorelin is a stabilized GHRH analog with actual human trial data (approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy) and the strongest evidence for visceral fat reduction of anything in this category. Sleep-and-recovery protocols reach for ipamorelin; visceral-fat-focused protocols reach for tesamorelin.
Side by side
| Ipamorelin | Tesamorelin | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dose | 200 mcg–300 mcg | 1 mg–2 mg |
| Frequency | 1–3x daily, often before bed | daily |
| Administration | subcutaneous injection | subcutaneous injection |
| Common vials | 5 mg, 10 mg | 5 mg, 10 mg |
| Typical mix | 5 mg + 2 ml water | 5 mg + 2 ml water |
| Units for typical dose | 12 units (300 mcg) | 80 units (2 mg) |
Pulse trigger vs pulse amplifier
GH release needs both a 'go' signal (GHRH) and benefits from ghrelin-receptor input. Ipamorelin supplies the ghrelin side: a sharp, short pulse, selective enough that hunger and cortisol stay quiet. Tesamorelin supplies the GHRH side: it amplifies the size of natural pulses and, thanks to its trans-3-hexenoyl stabilization, survives long enough in circulation to do it properly.
Evidence gap
Tesamorelin is the only compound on this page with FDA approval for anything — reduction of visceral adipose tissue in HIV lipodystrophy, with multiple RCTs behind it. Ipamorelin's human data is thin (it was abandoned in clinical development), and its use rests on mechanism plus community protocols. If human evidence ranks high for you, this comparison is lopsided.
Dosing patterns
Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg subcutaneously 1–3× daily, classically pre-bed on an empty stomach, almost always alongside a GHRH analog like CJC-1295 no-DAC. Tesamorelin: 1–2 mg once daily, which makes it one of the pricier compounds in the category to run continuously.
Can you stack them?
They can be combined (GHRH analog + secretagogue is the standard synergy pattern), though tesamorelin protocols often run solo because its trial dosing was standalone. The classic budget pairing remains CJC-1295 + ipamorelin, with tesamorelin as the evidence-backed upgrade on the GHRH side.
More comparisons
Educational comparison based on commonly published research protocols — not medical advice or an endorsement of any compound.