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ToolsCompareTesamorelin vs Cortagen

Tesamorelin vs Cortagen

Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.

Growth Hormone PeptidesFat Loss & Metabolic
Tesamorelin
Anti-Aging & LongevityRecovery & Repair
Cortagen
Summary
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved synthetic GHRH analog specifically indicated for reduction of excess abdominal (visceral) fat in HIV patients with lipodystrophy. It is the only GHRH peptide with FDA approval for a fat-reduction indication and is studied off-label for metabolic syndrome and cognitive function.
Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation as a cardioprotective and vascular bioregulator. It stimulates repair of cardiac and vascular tissue, with demonstrated benefits for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiac aging.
Half-Life
~26 minutes
Short peptide half-life; gene regulatory effects persist beyond peptide clearance
Admin Route
SubQ
SubQ, IM, Oral
Research
Typical Dose
2 mg
10 mg SC or IM daily
Frequency
Once daily
Once daily
Key Benefits
  • FDA-approved for visceral fat reduction in HIV lipodystrophy
  • Significant reduction in trunk/visceral fat (average 15–20% in trials)
  • Improved triglyceride and lipid profiles
  • Potential cognitive benefits and memory improvement
  • Preserves lean mass while reducing fat
  • Natural pulsatile GH stimulation
  • Cardioprotective — protects cardiac tissue from ischemic damage
  • Promotes cardiac regeneration and repair
  • Improves vascular endothelium function
  • Reduces atherosclerosis progression
  • Anti-aging effect on heart muscle cells
  • Improves cardiac output and exercise capacity
  • Reduces oxidative stress in cardiovascular tissue
  • May reduce arrhythmia frequency
Side Effects
  • Injection site reactions (redness, irritation)
  • Arthralgia and joint pain
  • Peripheral edema
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • +2 more
  • Excellent safety profile
  • Mild injection site reactions
  • Rare: transient hypotension
  • Rare: mild arrhythmia at initiation in cardiac patients
Stacks With