Tesofensine
Also referred to as: NS2330
An experimental compound (not a peptide) studied for appetite and weight by acting on brain chemical-messenger systems.
In plain terms: Tesofensine is an experimental weight compound — and it is not a peptide. It works on the brain's chemical messengers to reduce appetite. It showed strong weight results in mid-stage human trials but is still not an approved drug.
- Name
- Tesofensine
- Aliases
- NS2330
- Classification
- Triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (small molecule)
- Areas studied
- Appetite, Weight & fat loss, Brain chemistry
What it is
Tesofensine is a lab-made small-molecule compound (not a peptide) originally studied for brain conditions, then found to reduce appetite and body weight. It is included here because it comes up often in the weight-research space alongside the peptides.
It has been through mid-stage human trials with notable weight results.
Mechanism
Tesofensine slows the brain's reabsorption of three chemical messengers — dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin — which keeps more of them active. In studies, this is linked to reduced appetite and food intake.
This is a brain-chemistry route, different from the gut-hormone route that peptides like semaglutide use.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where Tesofensine appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Appetite
Studied for reducing hunger by acting on the brain's chemical-messenger systems.
Weight & fat loss
Showed significant weight reduction in mid-stage human trials.
Brain chemistry
Acts on dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin reuptake.
Comparison to gut-hormone drugs
Often discussed alongside GLP-1 peptides as a different mechanism.
Research history
Tesofensine was first investigated for neurological conditions, where weight loss was noticed as a side effect. It was then studied directly for obesity in the late 2000s, with strong phase 2 results published in The Lancet.
State of the literature
Tesofensine has mid-stage human trial data showing weight effects, but is not an approved drug in major markets. Research continues.
What to keep in mind
Tesofensine is not a peptide, and it acts on brain chemistry — which carries a different risk picture than gut-hormone compounds. Strong phase 2 results are encouraging but not the finish line; many compounds with good mid-stage data never get approved. Read it as experimental, and notice it is a fundamentally different class than the peptides around it here.
Research tools
Evaluating a Tesofensine batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often Tesofensine is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list Tesofensine. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Astrup A, et al. Effect of tesofensine on bodyweight loss, body composition, and quality of life in obese patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 2008. Abstract
- Sjödin A, et al. The effect of the triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor tesofensine on energy metabolism and appetite in overweight and moderately obese men. International Journal of Obesity, 2010. Abstract