HIV-associated Wasting

EMD Serono, Inc. is committed to the HIV community and offers the only human growth hormone approved by the FDA for the treatment of HIV-associated wasting, Serostim^® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection].

Serostim^® received accelerated approval in 1996 from the FDA and received full approval in August 2003, following completion of its confirmatory clinical trial. Coupled with Serostim^® is SeroJet^®, a needle-free delivery device that is patient friendly, and eliminates the risk of needle-stick injuries.

HIV-associated wasting or cachexia commonly involves involuntary loss of lean body mass (LBM) or body weight. LBM includes muscle, organ tissue, blood, and water. Depletion of LBM results in muscle weakness, and can result in organ failure and death. Some HIV patients develop a problem in the way their bodies use energy. This process is called metabolism. With a normal metabolism, the body draws energy mostly from stored fat. In some HIV patients, the body starts drawing energy from lean body mass. When you lose lean body mass you can get weaker and may not be as healthy as you once were. As a result, an HIV patient with wasting can lose weight, may feel tired, and can be prone to more infections or other medical complications of HIV.