Brand: Egrifta
Generic: Tesamorelin
Egrifta is a hormone similar to the one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. It is administered through an injection. It is used to reduce excess fat (lipodystrophy) in the abdomen or stomach in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using Egrifta, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. The following should be considered before using this medicine.
Pediatric appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tesamorelin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Similarly, geriatric information is not available on the relationship of age to the effects of tesamorelin injection in geriatric patients.
As for the use of this medicine during pregnancy, Information about tesamorelin-subcutaneous-route Studies in animals or pregnant women has demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. Moreover, there are limited studies in breast feeding women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
In the case of drug interactions, certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since other forms of interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.
Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Allergy to mannitol, history of or Cancer, active or history of or Pituitary gland tumor or surgery or Pressure in the head. This medicine should not be used in patients with these conditions. Use this medicine with caution in people with breathing problems or lung disease (e.g., acute respiratory failure) or carpal tunnel syndrome or diabetes or edema (fluid retention or swelling) or retinopathy (damage to the retina) or surgery (e.g., heart, stomach) or trauma. Similarly, in people with either kidney disease or liver disease, it is not known whether this medicine will work properly in patients with these conditions.
Proper usage of Egrifta requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. You may also be taught how to give your medicine at home. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the abdomen or stomach. Do not inject the medicine into a bruise, scar tissue, or the navel.
Tesamorelin injection comes with patient instructions. Read the instructions carefully and ensure that you understand:
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
You might not use all of the medicine in each vial (glass container). Use each vial only one time. Do not save an open vial. If the medicine in the vial has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. For injection dosage form of this medicine: For HIV-infected lipodystrophy: Adults 2 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin once a day.
Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Store the medication box of Egrifta vials in the refrigerator. Protect the medicine from direct light. Do not freeze. You must store the box of sterile water for injection, syringes, and needles at room temperature. Use the mixed solution right away and throw any unused solution or mixture. Throw away used needles and syringes in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
In using Egrifta, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. This medicine may cause swelling (fluid retention) in some parts of your body.
Check with your doctor right away if you have an increase in joint pain, numbness or tingling sensation in your hands or wrist. Tesamorelin injection may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have a:
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Egrifta.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: The most common side effects include: Difficulty with moving muscle pain or stiffness pain in the arms or legs pain in the joints. Less common side effects include:
Some of the side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Since these side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: More common effects include:
The less commonly experienced side effects are:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your FindaTopDoc account is completely free. Find doctors & request online appointments. Participate in Health Journeys in over 100 specialty communities. Easy & secure access! Simple Facebook login.
FindATopDoc is a trusted resource for patients to find the top doctors in their area. Be visible and accessible with your up to date contact information, certified patients reviews and online appointment booking functionality.
Claim Your Free Profile
