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Discussing Your Symptoms

Speak with your healthcare provider at your next visit about your HIV‑associated wasting symptoms

How do I know when to bring it up with my healthcare provider (HCP)?

Only an HCP can diagnose you with HIV‑associated wasting. Asking yourself some questions may help you decide if it’s time to have the conversation.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I have unintentional weight loss, or have I lost weight without trying?
  • Does my unintentional weight loss affect my health?
  • Do my clothes fit more loosely due to unintentional weight loss?
  • Have my friends, family, or coworkers noticed any changes in my weight?
  • Do I have a loss of energy, along with unintentional weight loss?
  • Do I frequently feel tired after certain activities?
  • Do I need to rest more often, or am I exercising less?
  • Is it more difficult to complete some of my activities?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to talk to your HCP about HIV‑associated wasting.

Getting the conversation started

HIV‑associated wasting can be treated, but it might not always be brought up by your HCP. If you think you’re experiencing HIV‑associated wasting, it’s important to discuss your symptoms and concerns at your next appointment with your HCP.

Here are some conversation starters that can help you begin a discussion with your HCP:

  • I have lost weight recently without trying.
    Could I have HIV‑associated wasting?
  • My friends and family have noticed changes in my weight.
    Could I have HIV‑associated wasting?
  • I haven’t been able to gain weight or keep weight on. 
    How can this be addressed?
  • My unintentional weight loss is affecting my health.
    Is this a symptom of HIV‑associated wasting?
  • I’ve been experiencing unintentional weight loss. I’ve tried changing my diet, but I haven’t seen results. And, my physical endurance is still low.
    Is there anything else I can try?
  • I have less energy and I have lost weight.
    Could this be a sign of HIV‑associated wasting?
  • I’d like to discuss some HIV‑associated wasting symptoms I am experiencing.
    Is there anything that can treat it?
  • I have been reading about Serostim®.
    Can we discuss whether it may be an option for me?

Only an HCP can diagnose you with HIV‑associated wasting.
Talk to your HCP if you think you’re experiencing symptoms of HIV‑associated wasting.

Discussion guide PDF download: help start the conversation with your healthcare team

Have questions ready for your next appointment

Bring our discussion guide to your next office visit to help guide the conversation with your healthcare team.

Download

Important Safety Information and Indication

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You should not take Serostim® (somatropin) 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 is the most important information I need to know about Serostim®?

  • For patients with critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, serious injury or a sudden and severe breathing problem, there was an increase in death in those treated with Serostim® compared to those patients not treated with Serostim® (42% vs 19%).
  • You must be on antiretroviral therapy.
  • Cancer: Certain types are more common in people living with HIV.
  • If you have, or are at high risk for, type 2 diabetes or have higher than normal blood sugar, talk to your doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you have changes in vision, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting which may be signs of increased brain pressure.
  • Seek prompt medical attention if you have an allergic reaction while taking Serostim®.
  • You may have swelling, especially in the hands and feet, as well as discomfort in bones, joints, and muscles. This may lessen with analgesics or talk to your doctor about reducing Serostim® dosing frequency.
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may occur, talk to your doctor about reducing the number of Serostim® doses in a week. If not resolved, treatment should be stopped.
  • If you have severe abdominal pain (possibly pancreatitis), call your doctor.

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
  • Unusual skin sensations
  • 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.
  • Headaches, changes in vision, nausea or vomiting, which require immediate medical attention.
  • Serious allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention.
  • Pain and tenderness in the abdomen.

These are not all the possible side effects. Let your doctor know about any side effects you experience. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the following before taking Serostim®

  • If you are taking any other medicines (prescription or over the counter), vitamins, or supplements as these may affect each other. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of Serostim® or other medicines you are taking.
  • Serostim® should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
  • Caution should be used in nursing mothers as it is unknown if Serostim® is passed in human milk.
  • Safety and effectiveness in pediatric HIV patients have not been established.
  • Unknown if HIV patients ≥ 65 years of age have a different response to Serostim® than those <65 years of age.

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 to 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.

You are encouraged to report possible side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You can also contact EMD Serono at 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563

Please see the full Prescribing Information 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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