Egrifta

Egrifta is a prescription medication used to reduce excess abdominal (stomach area) fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy (increased body fat in certain areas of the body). This medication belongs to a group of drugs called human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) analogs. It works by stimulating the synthesis and release of growth hormone which helps break down fatty tissue. 

Egrifta comes in an injectable form to be injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) of the stomach area. It is usually injected once daily.

Common side effects include joint pain, pain in arms and legs, and swelling in the legs.

Egrifta is a prescription medication used to reduce excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

The recommended dose of Egrifta is 2 mg injected directly under the skin (subcutaneously) once a day.

Serious side effects have been reported with Egrifta including the following:

• serious allergic reactions. Some people taking Egrifta may have an allergic reaction. Stop using Egrifta and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: a rash over your body, hives, swelling of your face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, or feeling of faintness or fainting.
• swelling (fluid retention). Egrifta can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome).
• an increase in glucose (blood sugar). Your healthcare provider will measure your blood sugar periodically.
• injection site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection site reactions. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have the following symptoms around the area of the injection site: redness, itching, pain, irritation, bleeding, rash, or swelling.

Do not take Egrifta if you:

• are allergic to Egrifta or to any of its ingredients
• have a pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery or other problems related to your pituitary gland
• have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer
• are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using Egrifta and talk to your healthcare provider

Common side effects include:

• joint pain
• pain in legs and arms
• swelling in your legs
• muscle soreness
• tingling, numbness and pricking
• nausea
• vomiting
• rash
• itching

This is not a complete list of Egrifta side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• steroids such as prednisone (Cortan, Deltasone, Orasone, Sterapred), budesonide (Entocort), dexamethasone (Decadron), triamcinolone (Kenacort, Aristocort), flunisolide (AeroBid. Aerospan), ciclesonide (Alvesco), mometasone (Asmanex, Dulera), fluticasone (Flovent), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), fludrocortisone (Florinef), and hydrocortisone (Cortef, Cortril, Hydrocortone)
• ritonavir (Norvir)

This is not a complete list of Egrifta drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories-A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Egrifta falls into category X. It has been shown that women taking Egrifta during pregnancy may have babies born with problems. There are no situations where the benefits of the medication for the mother outweigh the risks of harm to the baby. These medicines should never be used by pregnant women.

If you become pregnant, stop using Egrifta and talk to your healthcare provider immediately.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Egrifta passes into your breast milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking Egrifta.