About EGRIFTA SV®?

EGRIFTA SV® is the only FDA approved treatment indicated for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-Infected adults patients with lipodystrophy.
EGRIFTA SV® specifically targets the visceral abdominal fat.

Mechanism of Action

Overview of the GH/IGF-1 axis1
  • Human growth hormone (GH) or somatropin is secreted by specialized cells called somatropes, which are located in the pituitary gland1
  • GH secretin is regulated by 2 hormones produced in the hypothalamus, with opposing effects1
    • Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), also known as growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), increases production and pulsatile secretion of GH
    • Somatostatin counteracts the effects of GHRH and suppresses GH secretion
  • Endogenous growth hormone (GH) exerts its effects by interacting with specific receptors on target cells, including osteoblasts, myocytes and adipocytes, resulting in pharmacodynamic effects of anabolism and lipolysis2
  • GH secretion is also modulated by feedback mechanisms involving insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
    • Produced mainly in the liver in response to GH
    • Appears to mediate many of the growth-promoting effects of GH
  • Rising levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) exert a negative feedback effect on the secretion of growth hormone (GH)1
  • EGRIFTA SV® is a stabilized synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates the body to secrete its own growth hormone (GH) in a pulsatile release
    • In vitro, EGRIFTA SV® binds and stimulates GHRH receptors with similar potency as natural GHRH
  • GH plays an important role in the formation and function of fat cells as well as the overall regulation of fat metabolism2,3

*An approved strength of tesamorelin for injection with the same efficacy and safety of tesamorelin 1 mg/vial. The 2 mg/vial is more concentrated than the 1 mg/vial, and the recommended daily dose is 1.4 mg.

Growth hormone is not approved for the treatment of excess abdominal fat in patients with HIV with lipodystrophy.

References: 1. Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al. Endocrinology and metabolism. In: Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al., eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, Volume II. 18th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.; 2012:2890-2891. 2. Nam SY, Lobie PE. The mechanism of effect of growth hormone on preadipocyte and adipocyte function. Obes Rev. 2000;1(2):73-86. 3. Stanley TL, Chen CY, Branch KL, et al. Effects of a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog on endogenous GH pulsatility and insulin sensitivity in healthy men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(1):150-158.