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Diabetes Mellitus Associated with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for HIV Wasting Syndrome
Author(s) -
Schauster Amy C.,
Geletko Sandra M.,
Mikolich Dennis J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.20.13.1129.35037
Subject(s) - wasting , medicine , wasting syndrome , adverse effect , diabetes mellitus , polypharmacy , endocrinology , dose , hormone , human growth hormone , immunology , growth hormone
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an important treatment option for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) wasting syndrome. Side effects of rhGH are minimal when administered at physiologic and moderately high dosages, as seen in growth hormone deficiency and Turner's syndrome, respectively. The dosage of rhGH is significantly higher to treat wasting syndrome and still is being studied to determine its long‐term efficacy and safety. Individuals with HIV infection are at increased risk for adverse effects due to polypharmacy, immune system alterations, and treatment with newer agents that lack long‐term safety data. In addition, rhGH's potential for side effects becomes greater when given at high dosages for wasting syndrome. Clinically significant hyperglycemia developed in an HIV‐positive man who started rhGH for wasting syndrome 38 days before the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.