The oral triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor originally developed for Parkinson’s — now used off-label for aggressive fat loss, with Phase 2 data showing up to 12.8% body weight reduction.
Tesofensine is an oral small-molecule triple reuptake inhibitor — it blocks reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, raising levels of all three in the brain simultaneously. Unlike the other weight-loss compounds on this site, it is not a peptide and is taken by mouth.
Originally developed for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, development shifted to obesity after Phase 2 trials showed dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.8% at 1 mg/day over 24 weeks — roughly double sibutramine’s effect.
Not FDA approved (CV safety signal stalled US development). Not centrally approved in any major market: Saniona’s Tesomet (tesofensine + metoprolol) program is paused; bare tesofensine has a favorable COFEPRIS technical-committee opinion (Feb 2023) in Mexico but final approval was withheld in late 2024 (Medix resubmitted Feb 2025). Added to the WADA Prohibited List as a Specified Stimulant (S6.B), in force from 1 January 2025. Available as research chemical and via gray-market channels.
Blocks the reuptake transporters for dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET), and serotonin (SERT). All three rise simultaneously — appetite falls, energy and focus rise.
Dopamine and norepinephrine in the hypothalamus reduce hunger; elevated serotonin adds satiety signaling. Cumulative effect is a strong appetite suppressant.
Increased sympathetic tone raises resting energy expenditure modestly — similar to ephedrine but milder.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | Astrup et al. (2008): 12.8% body-weight loss at 1 mg/day over 24 weeks; dose-dependent effect |
| Appetite suppression | Strong and sustained; reduces both hunger cravings and portion sizes |
| Focus & energy | Dopaminergic effect produces alertness and motivation; often described as similar to low-dose stimulant |
| Mood | Mild mood elevation (serotonin contribution); not an antidepressant, but a useful side effect |
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeThe pivotal Phase 2 trial (Astrup et al., PMID 18950853) used a 24-week continuous treatment period without a structured break protocol. The on/off cycling above is off-label convention, not a trial-validated dosing schedule.
Tesofensine is oral — typically supplied as 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg capsules. No reconstitution required.
Pre-filled with a typical Tesofensine setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
Free account. Saves your reconstitution + schedules doses + tracks every vial.
Dosing cheat sheet, reconstitution reference, and cycle planning — delivered to your inbox.
Tesofensine’s monoamine effect means side effects are primarily cardiovascular and stimulating rather than GI.
Looking for Tesofensine? We recommend NextGen Peptides — third-party tested, fast shipping, and trusted by the StackTrax community.
10% off with code
Exclusive StackTrax discount
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeNo, and the reason matters. Tesofensine has never been FDA or EMA approved. It produced strong weight-loss results in Phase 2 trials (Astrup 2008 Lancet, ~10% mean weight loss at 1 mg/day over 24 weeks) but development was halted because of a cardiovascular signal: heart-rate elevation of ~7–8 bpm at the 0.5 mg dose, with concerns about long-term cardiovascular risk in the post-sibutramine regulatory climate. It was later approved in Mexico (Tesomet, by Saniona/Medix) but has not advanced in major Western markets.
Mexico-approved Tesomet (the only commercially approved tesofensine product): 0.5 mg orally once daily, with an option to titrate to 1 mg/day. Phase 2 trials used 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/day with weight loss being dose-proportional. The CV signal is also dose-proportional — 1 mg/day produces both the best efficacy and the worst HR elevation, which is the central tradeoff and the reason it never reached the US market.
Orally as a tablet or capsule. Tesofensine is NOT an injectable peptide — it is a small molecule (a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor blocking dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin reuptake). Most community supply comes as compounded tablets/capsules from Mexico (Tesomet) or research-chemical-grade powder for self-encapsulation.
Sibutramine (Meridia) was withdrawn from the US, EU, and other markets in 2010 after the SCOUT trial showed an increased rate of cardiovascular events in patients with pre-existing CV disease. Sibutramine had a similar HR-elevation profile to tesofensine. Tesofensine’s ~7–8 bpm HR increase at 0.5 mg lands in territory that regulators became very cautious about after sibutramine. The Phase 3 program targeting the US was never initiated, and that is the central regulatory reality — not the absence of efficacy.
Different mechanism, similar weight-loss magnitude. Tesofensine works on central monoamine reuptake (DAT/NAT/SERT) — closer to a stimulant-class anorectic. GLP-1 agonists work on gut/hindbrain receptors with a fundamentally different side-effect profile (GI nausea, not cardiovascular). For most users, GLP-1 agonists are the better risk-adjusted choice given the actual approval status, label support, and post-marketing safety database. Tesofensine is a credible alternative path; not a clearly safer or better one.
Not specifically named on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2025–2026 — but as a CNS stimulant with dopaminergic activity, it sits in conceptual territory WADA has historically swept. Athletes should verify the current-year list before use; it is a high-risk choice in tested-athlete contexts.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The compounds discussed are not FDA approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or peptide protocol. StackTrax does not sell peptides or supplements directly — purchase links go to third-party vendors. StackTrax is not responsible for the products, quality, or business practices of any third-party vendor. This page contains affiliate links — StackTrax may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
© 2026 StackTrax, LLC. All rights reserved.
StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
Before using any compound mentioned here, consult a qualified healthcare provider. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or recommend these substances for personal use.
These pages also contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you — this never changes our editorial recommendations.