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Available for both Android and Apple devices

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  • Refill Reminders
    Restock your meds on time
  • Family & Caregiver Support
    Loved ones get notified if you forget
  • Medication Reminders
    Never miss a dose
  • Doctor Reports
    Easy-to-share summaries for appointments
  • Health Tracking
    Log blood pressure, sugar, weight & more
  • Data Privacy
    Fully encrypted and secure

You are about to leave Serostim.com and are being redirected to another website. Click “Go Back” to stay on Serostim.com. To continue to  get the free Medisafe app, click “Get App”.

Download Medisafe, a free third-party app, to track unintended weight loss, manage medications, see appointments, and access other reminder tools and info.

Available for both Android and Apple devices

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Why It Happens

A number of factors may contribute to HIV‑associated wasting

HIV‑associated wasting may be of concern for many people living with HIV, even when the virus is well controlled with antiretroviral therapy. Evidence suggests that altered metabolism can have an important role in the development of HIV‑associated wasting. Although the causes of HIV‑associated wasting can be different and varied, people with HIV‑associated wasting may experience some of the factors below:

Infection​

  • Infections related to HIV have been shown to increase the risk of unintentional weight loss occurring and may cause changes in metabolism

Inflammation​

  • Inflammation is a natural body response to factors such as infection, stress, trauma, and cell injury that helps control tissue damage
  • In people living with HIV, excess inflammation affects many parts of the body, and the inflammation may become chronic or ongoing
  • If the body experiences too much inflammation, metabolism may change, muscle tissue can break down, and you may have decreased appetite or no appetite

Changes in metabolism

  • HIV may alter your metabolism, or how the body turns food into energy
  • If your metabolism is not functioning properly, your body may not be able to use carbohydrates, fats, and proteins effectively
  • Your body may draw energy from lean body mass (LBM) instead of fat
  • Losing LBM means that you are losing muscle mass and can be a sign of HIV‑associated wasting
  • This is why some people with HIV who experience unintentional loss of weight and LBM may lack energy, need to rest more often, or find it difficult to complete activities 

Endocrine disorders

  • HIV can affect the production of certain hormones, including testosterone and growth hormone, which are vital to maintaining muscle mass and bone.

Low testosterone

  • Testosterone is a hormone that helps maintain muscle mass, bone growth, adequate levels of red blood cells, and sexual function
  • Low levels of testosterone may result in significant loss of LBM in both men and women

Growth hormone (GH) resistance

  • GH promotes growth and helps regulate metabolism
  • GH resistance involves a decrease in, or absence of, the effects of GH in the body
  • Your body may have trouble using the GH it makes naturally, or it may not be making enough of the GH it needs
  • As a result, loss of LBM can occur

Don't Waste a Moment.

Important Safety Information and Indication

Expand

What is Serostim® (somatropin) for injection?

Serostim® is an injectable prescription medicine used for the treatment of HIV-positive patients with wasting or cachexia to increase lean body mass and body weight, and improve physical endurance. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy at the same time is necessary.

You should not take Serostim® if you have:

  • A critical illness from surgery, serious injuries, or a severe breathing problem
  • Cancer or undergoing treatment for cancer
  • Eye problems caused by diabetes
  • Allergies to growth hormone or other ingredients in Serostim® vials

What should I tell my doctor before using Serostim®?

  • If you have a critical illness from surgery, serious injury, or a severe breathing problem
  • If you have cancer or had cancer in the past.
  • If you have diabetes, are at risk for getting diabetes, or have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. New cases of type 2 diabetes have been reported in patients taking Serostim®.
  • If you are allergic to growth hormone, benzyl alcohol, sucrose, phosphoric acid or sodium hydroxide.
  • If you are taking any other medicines (both prescription or over the counter), vitamins, or supplements because these medicines may affect each other. Your doctor may need to monitor for drug-drug interactions.
  • If you are nursing, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Serostim® passes into your breast milk or could harm your unborn baby.

What are the most common side effects of Serostim® reported in clinical trials in patients treated for HIV-associated wasting or cachexia?

  • Swelling, especially in the hands or feet or around the eyes
  • Bone, muscle, and joint pain or stiffness
  • Tingling, numbness and pain in the fingers, thumb or wrist
  • Breast enlargement in men
  • Nausea
  • Extreme tiredness

Other less common but serious side effects of Serostim® are:

  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia/diabetes) which can include symptoms of increased thirst and urination, tiredness, or trouble concentrating
  • Serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention
  • Pain and tenderness in the abdomen
  • Headaches, changes in vision, nausea or vomiting, which requires immediate medical attention

These are not all of the possible side effects. Let your doctor know about any side effects you experience. Your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or may decrease your dose of Serostim® to help manage some side effects.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should you administer Serostim®?

Patients and caregivers should be trained by a healthcare professional on how to mix and inject Serostim® prior to use. Never share Serostim® with another person, even if the needle is changed. Injection sites can include arms, legs, abdomen and should be changed daily.

Avoid injecting Serostim® in areas that are sore or bruised.

What is Serostim® (somatropin) for injection?

Serostim® is an injectable prescription medicine used for the treatment of HIV‑positive patients with wasting or cachexia to increase lean body mass and body weight, and improve physical endurance. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy at the same time is necessary.

 

Please see the full Prescribing Information and talk to your healthcare provider for complete information on Serostim® risks.

Important Safety Information and Indication

What is Serostim® (somatropin) for injection?

Serostim® is an injectable prescription medicine used for the treatment of HIV-positive patients with wasting or cachexia to increase lean body mass and body weight, and improve physical endurance. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy at the same time is necessary.

You should not take Serostim® if you have:

  • A critical illness from surgery, serious injuries, or a severe breathing problem
  • Cancer or undergoing treatment for cancer
  • Eye problems caused by diabetes
  • Allergies to growth hormone or other ingredients in Serostim® vials

What should I tell my doctor before using Serostim®?

  • If you have a critical illness from surgery, serious injury, or a severe breathing problem
  • If you have cancer or had cancer in the past.
  • If you have diabetes, are at risk for getting diabetes, or have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. New cases of type 2 diabetes have been reported in patients taking Serostim®.
  • If you are allergic to growth hormone, benzyl alcohol, sucrose, phosphoric acid or sodium hydroxide.
  • If you are taking any other medicines (both prescription or over the counter), vitamins, or supplements because these medicines may affect each other. Your doctor may need to monitor for drug-drug interactions.
  • If you are nursing, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Serostim® passes into your breast milk or could harm your unborn baby.

What are the most common side effects of Serostim® reported in clinical trials in patients treated for HIV-associated wasting or cachexia?

  • Swelling, especially in the hands or feet or around the eyes
  • Bone, muscle, and joint pain or stiffness
  • Tingling, numbness and pain in the fingers, thumb or wrist
  • Breast enlargement in men
  • Nausea
  • Extreme tiredness

Other less common but serious side effects of Serostim® are:

  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia/diabetes) which can include symptoms of increased thirst and urination, tiredness, or trouble concentrating
  • Serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention
  • Pain and tenderness in the abdomen
  • Headaches, changes in vision, nausea or vomiting, which requires immediate medical attention

These are not all of the possible side effects. Let your doctor know about any side effects you experience. Your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or may decrease your dose of Serostim® to help manage some side effects.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should you administer Serostim®?

Patients and caregivers should be trained by a healthcare professional on how to mix and inject Serostim® prior to use. Never share Serostim® with another person, even if the needle is changed. Injection sites can include arms, legs, abdomen and should be changed daily.

Avoid injecting Serostim® in areas that are sore or bruised.

What is Serostim® (somatropin) for injection?

Serostim® is an injectable prescription medicine used for the treatment of HIV‑positive patients with wasting or cachexia to increase lean body mass and body weight, and improve physical endurance. Treatment with antiretroviral therapy at the same time is necessary.

 

Please see the full Prescribing Information and talk to your healthcare provider for complete information on Serostim® risks.

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