Tesofensine vs ARA-290
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Fat Loss & Metabolic
TesofensineImmune SupportRecovery & Repair
ARA-290- Summary
- Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (TMRI) that blocks reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Originally developed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, it was repurposed as a potent weight loss agent after clinical trials demonstrated substantial fat loss via appetite suppression and increased energy expenditure.
- ARA-290 is a synthetic 11-amino acid peptide derived from the helix B region of erythropoietin (EPO). Unlike EPO, it selectively activates the innate repair receptor (IRR) without stimulating hematopoiesis, providing tissue protection, anti-inflammation, and neuropathy relief.
- Half-Life
- 8-10 days (exceptionally long; accumulates over weeks)
- ~2–4 hours (SC administration)
- Admin Route
- Oral
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.25-0.5 mg per day
- 4 mg (fixed dose)
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Potent appetite suppression via triple monoamine reuptake inhibition
- Significant weight loss (8-12% body weight in phase II trials at 0.5 mg)
- Increases basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure
- Reduces fat mass preferentially over lean mass
- Potential cognitive benefit via dopaminergic and noradrenergic enhancement
- Longer half-life than sibutramine allows once-daily dosing
- Reduces neuropathic pain from small fiber neuropathy
- Anti-inflammatory without immune suppression
- Tissue protection after ischemia/reperfusion injury
- Promotes nerve fiber regeneration
- Improves symptoms of sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy
- May reduce insulin resistance and improve metabolic health
- Shown to improve autonomic neuropathy symptoms
- Side Effects
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure (sympathomimetic)
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Nausea
- +4 more
- Injection site reactions
- Mild fatigue at initiation
- Transient warm sensation post-injection
- Rare: mild headache
- Stacks With
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