Egrifta SV

A potential complication of HIV, antiretroviral therapy, or growth hormone (GH) deficiency may cause a fat redistribution of adipose tissue known as lipohypertrophy (a form of lipodystrophy). Abdominal lipohypertrophy is defined by an accumulation of excess visceral abdominal tissue (also called “hard belly”) surrounding all abdominal organs (liver, stomach, pancreas, etc.). Hard belly is a different type of fat compared to subcutaneous fat (regular, or soft, fat). Excess visceral abdominal fat may be linked with serious health issues like cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease), or increased mortality risk, and may make it hard to perform certain daily activities.

Hard belly may be a complicated term to accurately describe and can be mistaken for general weight gain or obesity. To understand if you are at risk, talk with your health care provider, who can assess the risk in two easy steps. Step one: feel your belly to see if it is hard. Step two: measure your waist and hip circumference to calculate a waist-to-hip ratio.

Unlike growth hormone (GH) products, Egrifta SV is an analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and secrete the body’s own GH. Egrifta SV reduces visceral abdominal fat while preserving subcutaneous fat. The effect appears after three months, increases at six months and is sustained for 12 months.

The effect on visceral abdominal tissue was seen in two Phase 3 clinical trials. A post-hoc responder analysis has shown, on average, a reduction in waist circumference of 1.85 inches and 31% of decrease in visceral abdominal fat. It is important to note that visceral abdominal fat returns in a few months once tesamorelin is discontinued.

Egrifta SV should not be administered to patients who have a pituitary gland tumor, surgery, or other pituitary gland problems; active cancer; hypersensitivity to either tesamorelin or ingredients in tesamorelin; who are pregnant or become pregnant; or are less than 18 years old. Egrifta SV should be used with caution in patients who have a history of cancer or problems with blood sugar or diabetes, and should be discontinued in critically ill patients.