What is tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin powder
is made with growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF).Tesamorelin is used
to reduce excess fat around the stomach that is caused by taking certain
HIV medications. This condition is also called lipodystrophy
(LYE-poe-DIS-troe-fee).Tesamorelin is not a weight-loss medication and
should not be used to treat obesity.Tesamorelin can harm an unborn baby
or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.
You should not use tesamorelin if you are allergic to it, or if you have
a history of tumor or surgery of your pituitary gland, a history of
head injury or radiation treatment,
Before using tesamorelin, tell your doctor if you have heart disease,
high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, epilepsy, asthma,
migraines, an adrenal gland disorder, or if you have ever had cancer,
any type of tumor, or open heart surgery.FDA pregnancy category X. This
medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use
tesamorelin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby
is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast
milk.Tesamorelin is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use
injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not
fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used
needles and syringes.
This medication comes with injection instructions for safe and effective
use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
if you have any questions.
Tesamorelin is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid
(diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be
sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.
Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself
an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has
particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
After mixing tesamorelin with a diluent, you must use it right away. Do
not store the mixture for later use.Tesamorelin is usually given once
per day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Use a different place on your stomach each time you give the injection.
Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject
the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Never share a tesamorelin syringe with another person, even if you
change the needle. Sharing syringes or needles can allow HIV or other
diseases to pass from one person to another.To make sure this medication
is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood
will need to be tested often. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your
doctor.
