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Tesamorelin acetate is an analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that was approved in the United States in 2010 for treatment of lipodystrophy in HIV patients. Tesomorelin is an analog of GHRH. GHRH stimulates the synthesis and release of GH. In the pituitary, GH is secreted in a pulsatile manner. GH control is regulated by somatostatin and the negative feedback regulator, IGF-1. Direct administration of GH to patients with lipodystrophy decreases VAT but has associated side effects such as fluid retention and joint swelling. Because of the side effects associated with direct GH administration, GHRH represents a attractive mechanism for increasing GH levels. Tesomorelin is an analog of GHRH in which the N-terminal amino acid, Tyr, is amidated with a trans-3-hexenoyl group. Capping of the N-terminus protects GHRH from cleavage by DPP-4. Tesomorelin demonstrates enhanced stability compared with GHRH in animal models.