How to Use Human Growth Hormone to Treat HIV-Related Wasting

The FDA has approved the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) as an effective medication to treat wasting related to HIV and AIDS, also known as HIV Wasting Syndrome or cathexia. This syndrome is generally marked by progressive, unintended weight loss, often with associated diarrhea, fever and weakness. It can destroy quality of life for HIV-positive individuals. Human growth hormone is marketed as Serostim by Merck Serono.

Instructions

Monitor Your Health to Watch for HIV-Related Wasting

1. Work with your doctor, counselor and nutritionist to establish a comprehensive, healthy nutrition plan as part of your overall treatment strategy for HIV and AIDS.

2. Weigh yourself regularly and report any unexplained weight loss of more than 5 percent of your normal weight to your doctor. HIV wasting syndrome, if untreated, can cause extreme weight loss of 10 percent of normal body weight.

3. Consult with your doctor or nutritionist to manage your weight and nutrition if you begin to experience significant unintended weight loss.

4. Monitor your CD4+ cell count and discuss it with your doctor if it falls below 100. A CD4+ cell count lower than 100 greatly magnifies the risks of wasting and malnutrition.

5. Ask your doctor whether you should use recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) to treat wasting if you experience it.

Use Human Growth Hormone To Treat HIV-Related Wasting

1. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly with regard to human growth hormone dosages and medication schedules.

2. Continue to take your other medications as instructed.

3. Report any problems and side effects to your prescribing doctor immediately and discuss the possibility of reducing your dosage.

4. Manage the potential high cost of Human Growth Hormone by checking to see whether your insurance will cover it and contacting the Project Inform Hotline at [phone] to get the latest information on federal access programs or other strategies for reducing your cost.

5. Continue to follow your comprehensive nutrition plan and discuss with your doctor, nutritionist or counselor any steps you can take to improve nutrition by adding food, supplements, vitamins and other medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Human Growth Hormone is very expensive. An expanded access program to make the drug available less expensively to people suffering from wasting has been beset with problems, according to Project Inform, which provides rHGH information on its hotline at [phone].

• Human Growth Hormone can raise glucose and triglycerides levels and cause joint stiffness, swelling (edema) and nausea. These side effects generally occurred at mild levels in studies and were frequently resolved through the reduction of dosages.