(ATDN) Human Growth Hormone

(ATDN) Human Growth Hormone

Treatment Review #15; December 1994

Serostim, the first growth hormone type treatment proven to help people with AIDS to increase their weight by building muscle is not available at this time. The last issue of Treatment Review published a contact number for doctors to call in Canada to obtain this treatment. A recent issue of AIDS Treatment News (ATN), a newsletter from San Francisco published by John James, reports that the phone number has been disconnected. According to ATN, access to the program was cut off after the lawyers for the drug company that makes the drug got a letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying the drug was not approved for importing for compassionate use at this time.

Serostim is a drug called human growth hormone. Human growth hormone is made and sold in the United States by two companies, Genentech and Lilly. It can only be prescribed for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children. The FDA controls the off-label use of human growth hormone because of the potential of abuse by athletes. Also, some parents have complained to the FDA that growth hormone is being aggressively marketed to kids who have not yet reached their full height. The drug is very expensive. Until it's approved for treating weight loss associated with HIV infection, insurance companies won't pay for it. There was some hope that people who could afford it might be able to get it from Canada. The first results from a small-scale clinical trial were encouraging and generated a great deal of interest.

Serono has applied to the FDA for permission to start a treatment IND program. IND stands for Investigational New Drug, and is the label for continuing study of a drug. The drug company has to be willing to provide the drug, and the doctor has to be willing and able to monitor any patient receiving a drug through this type of program. Drug companies are allowed to charge for a treatment IND drug, but none have.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1994. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1994. AEGIS.