In late 1994, the results of a large multicenter trial of rHGH demonstrated that the drug reverses lean tissue loss in HIV-infected people with wasting syndrome. Volunteers receiving rHGH demonstrated a decrease in body fat and an increase in lean body mass. This may indicate that rHGH helps to correct a metabolic abnormality and addresses one of the underlying causes of HIV-related wasting. People receiving rHGH had an average increase of 1.7 kg of lean body mass over the placebo group and demonstrated increases in treadmill endurance, suggesting that the quality of weight gained promoted increased energy. In clinical studies, the dose effective at increasing lean body mass in people infected with HIV was 6mg of rHGH injected daily under the skin.
Studies are ongoing to determine if lower doses are equally effective.
Cautions and Warnings rHGH may stimulate the growth of active tumors, so it should not be used by people who have cancers that are not under control. The drug may also cause insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and abnormal functioning of the thyroid gland. There is no evidence the drug works to prevent weight loss. People who use rHGH should be monitored for drug-induced changes in KS or HIV viral load. Side Effects Treatment with rHGH may cause people to develop antibodies to growth hormone found naturally in the body.