Tesamorelin Dosage Calculator
Turn a vial strength, a water volume and a labeled dose into concentration, mL and syringe units. Built around the FDA labeling for EGRIFTA SV and EGRIFTA WR, with a built-in label check.
Written and reviewed by Manzoor Ahmad, Pharm-DQuick answer
- EGRIFTA SV: 2 mg vial + 0.5 mL = 4 mg/mL. The labeled 1.4 mg dose is 0.35 mL, which reads 35 units on a U-100 syringe.
- EGRIFTA WR: 11.6 mg vial + 1.3 mL, with a label-stated concentration of 8 mg/mL. The labeled 1.28 mg dose is 0.16 mL, which reads 16 units on a U-100 syringe.
The two products are not substitutable. For the broader method across peptides, use the Peptide Calculator.
Math tool, not medical advice. This page converts numbers. It does not recommend a dose, a product or a schedule, and it cannot verify what is in a vial. Follow your prescriber, your pharmacist and the prescribing information.
Calculate your tesamorelin draw
Your numbers
Pick a labeled product or type your own values. Results update as you type.
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- No problems found with these numbers. Always confirm against your prescription and the prescribing information.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent.
What-if: how the water volume changes the draw
Same vial and same dose, different water. The highlighted row is your current setting. More water means a weaker solution and a larger draw, never a different dose.
| Water added | Concentration | Draw volume | Syringe reading | Fits syringe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | 4 mg/mL | 0.35 mL | 35 units | Fits |
| 1 mL | 2 mg/mL | 0.7 mL | 70 units | Fits |
| 1.3 mL | 1.538 mg/mL | 0.91 mL | 91 units | Fits |
| 1.5 mL | 1.333 mg/mL | 1.05 mL | 105 units | Too large |
| 2 mL | 1 mg/mL | 1.4 mL | 140 units | Too large |
| 2.2 mL | 0.909 mg/mL | 1.54 mL | 154 units | Too large |
| 2.5 mL | 0.8 mg/mL | 1.75 mL | 175 units | Too large |
| 3 mL | 0.667 mg/mL | 2.1 mL | 210 units | Too large |
Tesamorelin units and mL: quick answers
EGRIFTA SV, 1.4 mg
35 units0.35 mL at 4 mg/mL on a U-100 syringe. Each unit holds 40 mcg.
EGRIFTA WR, 1.28 mg
16 units0.16 mL at 8 mg/mL on a U-100 syringe. Each unit holds 80 mcg.
Same SV dose, U-40 syringe
14 units0.35 mL is 14 units on a U-40 syringe. Same dose, different scale.
Not sure how units relate to mL for other compounds? The Peptide Calculator covers U-100 and U-40 conversion, finding the right amount of water and blends in one place.
How tesamorelin reconstitution math works
Tesamorelin ships as a freeze-dried powder. Adding a liquid diluent dissolves the powder, and the amount of drug in the vial stays fixed. Everything else follows from three formulas.
1. concentration (mg/mL) = vial strength (mg) / water added (mL)
2. draw volume (mL) = dose (mg) / concentration (mg/mL)
3. syringe units = draw volume (mL) x syringe scale (100 for U-100, 40 for U-40)
Worked examples
| Example | Vial | Water | Concentration | Dose | Draw | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGRIFTA SV (label) | 2 mg | 0.5 mL | 4 mg/mL | 1.4 mg | 0.35 mL | 35 |
| EGRIFTA WR (label) | 11.6 mg | 1.3 mL | 8 mg/mL (label)* | 1.28 mg | 0.16 mL | 16 |
| Illustration only | 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 1 mg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
The last row only shows the arithmetic with round numbers. It is not a suggested dose for any product.
*Why the EGRIFTA WR row does not follow the simple formula. Dividing 11.6 mg by 1.3 mL gives 8.92 mg/mL, which would put the 1.28 mg dose at about 14 units. The FDA label instead states a final concentration of 8 mg/mL and an injection volume of 0.16 mL (16 units on U-100), so for this product the label figure governs. The calculator uses the label value by default and lets you switch to plain arithmetic to see the difference. If anything looks unclear, ask your pharmacist.
Why the syringe scale matters
A U-100 syringe holds 100 units per mL and a U-40 syringe holds 40. Reading a U-40 barrel as if it were U-100 produces a 2.5-fold error. Always match the scale to the printed syringe. For related reading on units, see how the tirzepatide dosage calculator handles the same conversion for a different peptide.
Tesamorelin dosing by FDA-labeled product
These figures come directly from the prescribing information. DexoCalc does not suggest doses. The table exists so you can compare your own numbers with the label.
| Product | Vial | Diluent | Water | Concentration | Labeled dose | Draw | After mixing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGRIFTA SV | 2 mg | Sterile Water for Injection (supplied) | 0.5 mL | 4 mg/mL | 1.4 mg once daily | 0.35 mL | Use immediately |
| EGRIFTA WR | 11.6 mg | Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP only | 1.3 mL | 8 mg/mL | 1.28 mg once daily | 0.16 mL | Room temperature, discard 7 days after mixing |
SV and WR are not interchangeable. The FDA label for EGRIFTA WR states that it is not substitutable with EGRIFTA SV. Vial strength, diluent, concentration and dose all differ. Both are injected subcutaneously into the abdomen, rotating sites, and the labeled regimen is one fixed daily dose rather than a step-up schedule.
The original EGRIFTA 1 mg-per-vial formulation (a 2 mg daily dose in the pivotal trials) has its own FDA label, so follow that document if it applies to you. Vials sold for research have no label and no labeled dose, so the calculator treats them as custom numbers only.
How tesamorelin works
Mechanism
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It acts on GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland and prompts the body to release its own growth hormone, which raises IGF-1. That is why the labels tell prescribers to monitor IGF-1 and blood glucose.
Indication
The FDA-approved use is the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy. The labeling does not present it as a weight-loss medicine.
Half-life
Mean elimination half-life in healthy subjects is about 8 minutes after a 1.4 mg EGRIFTA SV dose and about 11 minutes after a 1.28 mg EGRIFTA WR dose. Half-life describes how fast the drug is cleared. It does not by itself tell you how long the effect on growth hormone and IGF-1 lasts.
What the pivotal trials measured
The EGRIFTA SV label summarizes two 26-week, placebo-controlled studies in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, measuring visceral adipose tissue (VAT) on imaging.
| Study | Tesamorelin, VAT change | Placebo, VAT change | Treatment difference (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study 1 (NCT00123253) | -27 cm2 (-18%) | +4 cm2 (+2%) | -31 cm2 (-39 to -24) |
| Study 2 (NCT00435136) | -21 cm2 (-14%) | 0 cm2 (-2%) | -21 cm2 (-29 to -12) |
These results apply to the studied population and dose. They do not describe outcomes for people without HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Safety information worth knowing
Labeled contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Active malignancy
- Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (for example hypophysectomy, hypopituitarism, pituitary tumor or surgery, head irradiation or head trauma)
- Known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or its excipients
Key label warnings
- Higher background cancer risk in people with HIV
- Glucose intolerance and diabetes: glucose is checked before and during treatment
- Fluid retention, joint pain and carpal tunnel symptoms
- Hypersensitivity reactions (about 4% of trial patients)
- Persistent IGF-1 elevation
This is a summary, not the full label. Your prescriber decides whether tesamorelin is right for you. Practical handling steps also come from the label: swirl or roll the vial gently without shaking, and inject into the abdomen while avoiding scar tissue, bruises and the navel.
Regulatory status at a glance
| Product or source | Status | What it means here |
|---|---|---|
| EGRIFTA SV | FDA-approved | Label values are built into the label check. |
| EGRIFTA WR | FDA-approved | Label values are built into the label check. Not substitutable with SV. |
| Original EGRIFTA 1 mg vial | Original formulation | Follow its own FDA label. Not preloaded. |
| Compounded or research-labeled tesamorelin | Not an FDA-approved drug product | No FDA label or labeled dose exists. Arithmetic only. Ask a licensed pharmacist. See the FDA compounding page. |
Rules around peptides change. For a cross-peptide view of current status, see the status table in the Peptide Calculator.
Seven common tesamorelin calculation mistakes
1. Treating SV and WR as the same
Different vial, water, concentration and dose. Use one set of values at a time.
2. Mixing up mg and mcg
1.4 mg is 1,400 mcg. A slipped decimal is a 10-fold or 1,000-fold error.
3. Using the wrong syringe scale
U-40 and U-100 differ by a factor of 2.5. Read what is printed on the barrel.
4. Using the wrong diluent
EGRIFTA WR names Bacteriostatic Water for Injection as the only diluent. EGRIFTA SV supplies its own.
5. Shaking the vial
The labels say to swirl or roll gently. Shaking is not part of the instructions.
6. Ignoring the discard time
Doses per vial by arithmetic can exceed the label limit. For WR, the 7-day limit applies.
7. Letting a calculator pick the dose
A calculator converts a dose you already have. It cannot choose one.
Tesamorelin dosage calculator: frequently asked questions
How many units is one EGRIFTA SV dose on a U-100 syringe?
The labeled EGRIFTA SV dose is 1.4 mg. After mixing the 2 mg vial with 0.5 mL of the supplied Sterile Water for Injection, the concentration is 4 mg/mL, so 1.4 mg is 0.35 mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, 0.35 mL reads 35 units. Always follow the prescribing information and your prescriber.
How many units is one EGRIFTA WR dose?
The labeled EGRIFTA WR dose is 1.28 mg. After mixing the 11.6 mg vial with 1.3 mL of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, the label states a concentration of 8 mg/mL, so 1.28 mg is 0.16 mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, 0.16 mL reads 16 units.
Why does the EGRIFTA WR label say 8 mg/mL when 11.6 divided by 1.3 is about 8.9?
The simple formula divides the full vial strength by the water added and gives 8.92 mg/mL for this product. The EGRIFTA WR label states a final concentration of 8 mg/mL and an injection volume of 0.16 mL per dose, so for this product the label figure governs. The calculator uses the label value by default and lets you switch to plain arithmetic. Confirm with your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Can EGRIFTA SV and EGRIFTA WR be used interchangeably?
No. The FDA label states that EGRIFTA WR is not substitutable with EGRIFTA SV. The vial strength, diluent volume, concentration and dose are all different, so each product needs its own set of numbers.
Does adding more water change the tesamorelin dose?
No. The amount of tesamorelin in the vial does not change. More water lowers the concentration, so you draw a larger volume for the same dose. For labeled products, use the water volume in the prescribing information.
Which diluent does each product use?
EGRIFTA SV is mixed with the Sterile Water for Injection supplied in its carton. EGRIFTA WR is mixed with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP, which its label names as the only diluent.
Does tesamorelin need a titration schedule?
The labeled regimens are one fixed once-daily dose given by subcutaneous injection into the abdomen with rotated sites, rather than a step-up schedule like GLP-1 medicines. Your prescriber decides your actual plan.
Does syringe type change the dose I receive?
No. The volume in mL is identical. Only the number you read changes: 0.35 mL is 35 units on a U-100 syringe and 14 units on a U-40 syringe. Mixing up the two scales causes a 2.5-fold error.
How long does tesamorelin stay in the body?
The labels report a mean elimination half-life of about 8 minutes for EGRIFTA SV and about 11 minutes for EGRIFTA WR in healthy subjects. Half-life describes clearance of the drug and does not by itself describe how long effects on growth hormone and IGF-1 last.
What is tesamorelin approved for?
Tesamorelin (EGRIFTA SV and EGRIFTA WR) is FDA-approved for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy. The labeling does not present it as a weight-loss treatment.
Who should not use tesamorelin?
The labels list these contraindications: pregnancy, active malignancy, disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and known hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or its excipients. Only a prescriber can decide whether it is appropriate for you.
Is tesamorelin from a research or compounded source the same as EGRIFTA?
Not necessarily. Research-labeled vials are not FDA-approved drug products and have no labeled dose, and this calculator cannot verify identity, strength or sterility. Ask a licensed pharmacist or prescriber. For the general method, see the Peptide Calculator.
Is this calculator medical advice?
No. It performs arithmetic on numbers you enter. It does not recommend a dose, product or schedule, and it does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare provider.
Does the calculator store or send my data?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser, and nothing you type is stored or transmitted.
How this calculator was built and checked
- Formulas: the three standard dilution equations shown above, with no hidden constants.
- Label test cases: the SV and WR presets reproduce the label values of 35 units and 16 units on a U-100 syringe, and the label check flags any change to vial, water or dose.
- Rounding: the tool shows the exact draw and the nearest readable syringe mark, and warns when rounding shifts the dose by more than 5%.
- Privacy: calculations run in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent.
- Independence: DexoCalc is not affiliated with any drug manufacturer, and this page has no vendor or affiliate links.
- Updates: the page is rechecked against the prescribing information when labeling changes.
About the author and reviewer
Manzoor Ahmad, Pharm-D
Licensed pharmacist and founder of DexoCalc
Manzoor writes and reviews the calculators on DexoCalc, checking each formula against primary sources such as FDA labeling before a page is published. He built this tool to make syringe math easier to double-check, never to replace the instructions from a prescriber or pharmacist.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin for injection) prescribing information.
- DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) prescribing information.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. EGRIFTA (tesamorelin) original label.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Human drug compounding.
- DailyMed. Bacteriostatic Water for Injection labeling.
- United States Pharmacopeia. General Chapter 797, pharmaceutical compounding of sterile preparations.
Disclaimer. This calculator is an educational arithmetic tool. It does not diagnose, treat or recommend any dose or product, and it does not evaluate the safety, legality or suitability of any substance, dose or schedule. Some tesamorelin sources are not FDA-approved drug products. Always follow a licensed prescriber and pharmacist, and read the current prescribing information on DailyMed and the FDA website.
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