Effectiveness of Egrifta for Treating Big Belly Syndrome from HIV

This week I am writing about a new treatment for excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected people with lipodystrophy.  It is Egrifta or tesamorelin.  It’s a daily shot that you give yourself which can reduce belly fat significantly.  It is not a treatment for HIV.  Egrifta works by stimulating growth hormone receptors in the pituitary to produce growth hormone.   

In two clinical studies, the abdominal fat, also called visceral adiposity, was reduced by 14-18% in patients continuing Egrifta for twelve months.  The mean waist circumference was reduced by 1.3 to 2.6 cm during weeks 26-52.  This is a reduction in .5-1 inch in your waistline.

This is not a huge reduction.  Some people will experience greater results, however.  I tell my clients taking it that they still need to exercise regularly and carefully watch what they eat. 

The exciting thing about Egrifta is that clients who remain on it for at least six months usually report that their clothes start fitting differently and that they feel better about their appearance.

A down-side of Egrifta  is that it is not a permanent treatment.  If you stop the medication, your belly likely returns.

Wishing you health,
Bill

New Treatment Reduces Big Bellies Associated with HIV Treatment

You have been on HIV medications for a few years, and your provider tells you that you are doing well.  Your CD4 is up, your viral load is low or undetectable, and you should be feeling great.  But you don't, because you have a protruding abdomen from lipodystrophy associated with HIV and its treatment.  You have tried dieting and exercise, but your tummy does not bulge.  You worry that everybody looks at you and says, oh, "He has HIV."

This week I am writing about a new treatment for excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected people with lipodystrophy.  It is called Egrifta or tesamorelin.  It’s a daily shot that you give yourself which can reduce the belly fat significantly.  It is not a treatment for HIV.

Egrifta works by stimulating growth hormone receptors in the pituitary to produce growth hormone, which causes muscle growth and breaks up fat.  It is only recommended for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected persons with lipodystrophy.

The drug was approved by the FDA last year on the basis of two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat.  Both studies consisted of a 26 week main phase and a 26 week extension phase.  In both studies, the abdominal fat, also called visceral adiposity, was reduced by 14-18% in patients continuing Egrifta for twelve months.  Improvements in fat in the blood stream, triglycerides, and body image, were also shown.

Tomorrow I will write more about effectiveness of Egrifta.

Egrifta is the only FDA approved treatment for this condition.  If you have a big belly from HIV treatment, you might want to ask your provider about Egrifta.  It is not a weight loss drug, however.

Wishing you health,
Bill

Lose the Big Belly

Ask anyone with HIV what they fear most, and you're likely going to get the answer, "I don't want to look like I have AIDS."  Often, friends and clients tell me, "I don't want to have the sunken cheeks, the skinny arms and legs, lose my butt, and have the protruding abdomen that looks like I have a basketball under my shirt."

Looking like you have HIV can be devastating and debilitating.  Some people may never notice or care, but to others, they have "the look."  It can hold you back socially and professionally.  It can keep you at home when you should be getting out with people.

For persons with this condition, diet and exercise, though recommended, do not usually reduce it much.  That's because the lipodystrophy (change in body fat) that I'm referring to is hard fat that surrounds your internal organs, not a layer of fat on the outside, like love handles.

This week I will be writing about a new treatment for excess abdominal fat inHIV-infected people with lipodystrophy.  It is called Egrifta or tesamorelin.  It's a daily shot that you give yourself which can reduce the belly fat significantly.  It is not a treatment for HIV.

Yours,
Bill