Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Information Bulletin #17 - February 2003
A very small study showed that it could possibly work as an immune system therapy by causing the thymus gland to produce new CD4 cells, but much more research is needed to confirm these results.
One 40 year old man with 584 CD4 cells and lipodystrophy developed rectal bleeding without pain after eight months of taking Serostim. He also developed a tumor that had receptors for rHGH on it. It is not known if this was caused by Serostim, but Harvard Medical School researchers caution to be on the lookout for any possible cancer growth activity that occurs in patients on the drug. This is the only reported case that we have heard of at this point. The report of this case was published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, a reputable journal for health care providers.
Serostim's major side effect is muscle and joint pain. Some people also experience swelling in the hands and feet, either alone, or along with painful muscles and joints. A painful condition that affects the wrists and forearms called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may also occur in people taking Serostim.
It is extremely important to know exactly how to inject the drug, which is usually once a day at bedtime. Discuss the other possible side effects of the drug with your doctor. Serostim has a website that includes the approved federal government description of the drug and its' uses. For people who have problems with needles and injections, there is a device called a SeroJet that doesn't use needles.
Because of its' cost, Serostim is not readily available through many AIDS Drug Assistance programs (ADAP), although it is covered by Medicaid. In order to get control over the counterfeit Serostim that was being sold on the underground and by pharmacists who were unaware the product had been tampered with, you need to have your prescription for Serostim filled at a pharmacy that the drug company Serono has determined to be capable of keeping the drug secure. Check with The Access Project at www.atdn.org/access to see if Serostim is covered in your state.
Private insurers may or may not pay for the drug; it's always a good idea to check with them beforehand. You may have to come up with a hefty co-payment at the pharmacy. However, Serono does have a patient assistance program for the drug. Check out www. serono. com for complete information about the drug and its' potential side effects.
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