Tesamorelin Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you take tesamorelin for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, you may have heard about supply problems with Egrifta SV over the past year or two. In this article, we break down exactly what happened, what changed in 2025, and what the current supply situation looks like heading into 2026.

What Happened with the Egrifta SV Supply Disruption?

Egrifta SV (tesamorelin for injection, 2 mg/vial) experienced a supply disruption that caused uncertainty and delays for patients who rely on it. Theratechnologies, the Canadian specialty biopharmaceutical company that makes Egrifta, worked with the FDA to address the underlying issue. On April 8, 2025, Theratechnologies announced that the FDA had approved a Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) to the Egrifta SV biologics license application — a critical step that allowed the company to resume regular distribution of Egrifta SV.

Paul Lévesque, President and CEO of Theratechnologies, stated at the time: "Securing FDA approval of the Prior Approval Supplement for the EGRIFTA SV sBLA closes a chapter of supply uncertainty and we are pleased to return to normal supply conditions."

The Bigger News: Egrifta WR Was Approved in March 2025

At almost the same time as the Egrifta SV supply resolution, Theratechnologies received FDA approval for an entirely new formulation of tesamorelin: Egrifta WR (the "WR" stands for weekly reconstitution). The FDA approved Egrifta WR on March 25, 2025, and specialty pharmacies began stocking and dispensing it as of September 2025.

Egrifta WR is a significant improvement in convenience. While Egrifta SV requires reconstitution every single day before each injection, Egrifta WR only needs to be reconstituted once per week. It comes in 11.6 mg vials — each providing seven daily doses of 1.28 mg (0.16 mL) per injection. It can also be stored at room temperature before and after reconstitution, compared to Egrifta SV which must be refrigerated.

Current Tesamorelin Supply Status in 2026

As of 2026, the tesamorelin supply situation has significantly improved. Here's a quick summary:

Egrifta SV: Supply disruption resolved as of April 2025. Still available during a transitional period as insurance plans catch up with Egrifta WR coverage.

Egrifta WR: FDA-approved March 2025, commercially available September 2025. Specialty pharmacies are ordering and stocking it. This is now the primary formulation being promoted by Theratechnologies.

Insurance coverage for Egrifta WR: Insurance plans are progressively adding coverage for Egrifta WR. Coverage is not yet universal — some plans still only cover Egrifta SV. THERA Patient Support can help verify which formulation your plan covers.

What Should You Do Right Now If You're an Egrifta Patient?

If you are currently on Egrifta SV: Continue taking it as prescribed. Ask your doctor or specialty pharmacy about transitioning to Egrifta WR when your insurance plan covers it. The THERA Patient Support program can coordinate this transition for you.

If you are newly prescribed tesamorelin: Ask your doctor to prescribe Egrifta WR if your insurance covers it, as this is the newer and more convenient formulation. Enroll in THERA Patient Support immediately (1-833-23-THERA).

If you are having trouble finding tesamorelin: Contact THERA Patient Support, and also use medfinder to check which specialty pharmacies in your area can fill your prescription.

Why Tesamorelin Availability Matters So Much for HIV Patients

HIV-associated lipodystrophy affects thousands of people living with HIV in the United States. The excess visceral fat that accumulates in lipodystrophy is not just cosmetically distressing — it is linked to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Tesamorelin is the only FDA-approved medical treatment that specifically targets this fat. Supply interruptions directly impact the health and quality of life of a patient population that has already navigated significant medical challenges.

If you or someone you know is struggling to access tesamorelin, visit medfinder to find available pharmacies, or read our detailed guide on how to find tesamorelin in stock near you.