From the Guidelines
Some peptide injections, such as teduglutide, can have lasting effects after discontinuation, particularly in improving intestinal absorptive function in patients with short bowel syndrome. The effects of peptide injections can vary widely depending on the specific peptide, its mechanism of action, and the individual's physiological response. For instance, teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog, has been shown to improve intestinal absorptive function and allow for weaning off parenteral nutrition in patients with short bowel syndrome, with some effects persisting after treatment cessation 1.
Key points to consider when evaluating the lasting effects of peptide injections include:
- The specific peptide and its mechanism of action
- The duration and dosage regimen of the treatment
- The individual's physiological response and underlying health conditions
- The potential for side effects and risks associated with the treatment
It is essential to note that many peptides lack comprehensive clinical research and FDA approval, and their use can carry unknown risks. Therefore, medical supervision is strongly recommended before initiating any peptide therapy, especially for patients with complex medical conditions or those considering long-term treatment 1.
In the context of real-life clinical practice, prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes is crucial when deciding on peptide injection therapies. This involves carefully weighing the potential benefits against the risks and considering the most recent and highest-quality evidence available, such as the study on teduglutide in patients with short bowel syndrome 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
In a group of patients who had antibodies to tesamorelin after 26 weeks of treatment (56%) and were re-assessed 6 months later, after stopping EGRIFTA treatment, 18% were still antibody positive.
The peptide injection Tesamorelin can last after the injections are stopped, as evidenced by the presence of antibodies in 18% of patients 6 months after stopping treatment.
From the Research
Peptide Injections and Their Lasting Effects
- The question of whether peptide injections can last after the injections are stopped is a complex one, with various studies providing insight into the effects of different peptides on the body 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- One study found that the synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-2 causes response attenuation and does not stimulate insulin-like growth factor-I secretion in healthy young men, suggesting that the effects of this peptide may not last after injections are stopped 2.
- Another study discussed the use of peptides BPC 157 and thymosin-beta-4 (TB4) in the treatment of knee pain, with results showing that intra-articular injection of BPC 157 can provide significant improvement in knee pain, potentially lasting after the injection is stopped 4.
- The interaction of growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs) with somatostatin has also been studied, with findings indicating that GHRPs and somatostatin counteract their respective inhibitory and stimulatory actions on growth hormone secretion, which may impact the lasting effects of peptide injections 5.
- Additionally, a study on severe adverse events after peptide vaccination for advanced cancer patients found that the majority of severe adverse events were caused by cancer progression, but that vaccine-related severe adverse events can occur, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the potential lasting effects of peptide injections 6.
Key Findings
- Response attenuation occurs with repeated administration of GHRP-2 2.
- Intra-articular injection of BPC 157 can provide significant improvement in knee pain 4.
- GHRPs and somatostatin interact to regulate growth hormone secretion 5.
- Severe adverse events after peptide vaccination are mostly caused by cancer progression, but can also be related to the vaccine itself 6.