From the FDA Drug Label
The dose of EGRIFTA SV is 1.4 mg, 0.35 mL of the reconstituted solution [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)], injected subcutaneously once daily. Inject EGRIFTA SV into the abdomen. Rotate injection sites to different areas of the abdomen [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. The recommendations in this prescribing information only apply to EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin) for injection 2 mg per vial formulation.
The typical dosing guidelines for tesamorelin are:
- Dose: 1.4 mg (0.35 mL of the reconstituted solution)
- Administration: injected subcutaneously once daily into the abdomen, rotating injection sites. 1 1 1
From the Research
Tesamorelin is typically dosed at 2 mg subcutaneously once daily, as this dose has been shown to be effective in reducing visceral adipose tissue in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, with minimal side effects, as demonstrated in the most recent study 2. The standard therapeutic dose is usually administered in the evening before bedtime. The medication comes as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted with sterile water for injection immediately before use. After reconstitution, the solution should be injected into the abdomen, rotating injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy. Some key points to consider when prescribing tesamorelin include:
- Treatment duration varies based on clinical indication, but is often continued for at least 3-6 months to evaluate efficacy, with some patients remaining on therapy for longer periods if benefits are observed and side effects are minimal, as seen in studies 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Tesamorelin works by stimulating growth hormone release from the pituitary gland, which can reduce visceral adipose tissue particularly in conditions like HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
- Patients should be monitored for potential side effects including injection site reactions, arthralgia, peripheral edema, and potential effects on glucose metabolism, as noted in the studies 3, 4, 2, 5, 6.
- The medication should be stored in a refrigerator before reconstitution, and used immediately after mixing. It's worth noting that the most recent study 2 provides the first dedicated data on the efficacy and safety of tesamorelin among people with HIV on integrase inhibitors, and found that tesamorelin had beneficial effects on body composition with no exacerbation of glycemic control.