Growth hormone (GH) deficiency can occur in some PHAs with AIDS-related wasting. Injections of GH can help stop this complication. GH may also be useful for treating aspects of the HIV lipodystrophy syndrome. For instance, the fat redistribution and/or fat gain associated with the use of HAART has prompted some doctors to prescribe GH to some of their patients who can afford this expensive drug. The dose of GH that has commonly been used to treat wasting or fat redistribution is relatively high and, not surprisingly, side effects have been reported. To find out about GH-related side effects in PHAs, a research team performed a study.
The researchers reviewed medical records of 94 HIV positive subjects. The following side effects were reported by those using "high-dose" GH — between 4 mg and 6 mg daily:
Because of these side effects, the research team suggests that lower doses of GH, similar to levels found in the body, should be studied in clinical trials with PHAs. Such a dose of GH would be around 1 mg/day.
REFERENCE
Santos G, Frend K, Sension F et al. Growth hormone dose-related side-effects in HIV/AIDS population; retrospective study. Abstract 111 - 3rd International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV, 23-26 October 2001, Athens, Greece.
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