Could it be Hard Belly (excess visceral abdominal fat)?

TAKE THE TEST

Actual patient living with HIV.

Excess visceral abdominal fat isn’t like regular fat

Though it’s often mistaken for general weight gain or obesity, excess visceral abdominal fat (Hard Belly) is a different kind of fat that may need a different kind of treatment.

Here are some key differences between excess visceral abdominal fat and regular fat which sits just beneath the skin (subcutaneous adipose tissue).

Excess visceral abdominal fat:

  • feels firmer than regular fat (which is soft and doughy)

  • lies deeper in the abdominal area (not simply under the skin like regular fat)

  • surrounds the organs

  • may be associated with fat accumulation in organs

  • may be hard to reduce with diet & exercise alone

WHAT CAUSES IT?

Take the Hard Belly Test (for excess visceral abdominal fat)

You are:

Does the fat on your abdomen (belly) feel firm?

Measure your waist and hip circumference

CALCULATE

What causes excess visceral abdominal fat?

If you’re living with HIV, you may experience a buildup or loss of body fat in certain areas (known as lipodystrophy).

When the buildup of extra fat lies in the belly area around the organs (excess visceral abdominal fat), it pushes up against the abdominal wall and stretches the muscles until they become taut.

Many factors may be at play:

  • Older age

  • Living with HIV, and for how long

  • Certain types of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and how long you’ve been taking them

  • A deficiency in growth hormone (GH)

If you have trouble managing this condition on your own with exercise and a healthy diet, ask your healthcare provider about EGRIFTA SV®.

SEE HOW  EGRIFTA SV® CAN HELP

Find a Specialist.

Excess visceral abdominal fat can be linked to serious health issues like high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes to name a few.*

Talk to a healthcare provider to learn more, or if you have concerns about any health issues you’re experiencing.

FIND A SPECIALIST

* EGRIFTA SV® is not approved to reduce the health consequences associated with excess visceral abdominal fat.

EGRIFTA SV® is a different kind of treatment for a different kind of fat

You don’t have to manage excess visceral abdominal fat alone.

Ask a doctor about EGRIFTA SV®, which has been proven to help reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in those living with HIV and lipodystrophy.

DISCOVER EGRIFTA SV®

What is EGRIFTA SV® (tesamorelin for injection)?

  • EGRIFTA SV® is an injectable prescription medicine used to reduce excess abdominal fat in adult patients living with HIV and lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA SV® is a growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) analog.

  • EGRIFTA SV® is not for weight loss management.

  • The long-term safety of EGRIFTA SV® on the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular) is not known.

  • It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA SV® helps improve how well you take your antiretroviral medications.

  • It is not known if EGRIFTA SV® is safe and effective in children, do not use in children.

You should not take EGRIFTA SV® if you:

  • Have a pituitary gland tumor, surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland, or have had radiation treatment to your head or head injury.

  • Have active cancer.

  • Are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA SV®.

  • Are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA SV® and talk with your healthcare provider.

  • Are less than 18 years of age.

Before using EGRIFTA SV®, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have or have had cancer.

  • Have problems with blood sugar or diabetes.

  • Have scheduled heart or stomach surgery.

  • Have breathing problems.

  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

  • Are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

EGRIFTA SV® may cause serious side effects including:

  • Increased risk of new cancer in HIV positive patients or your cancer coming back (reactivation). Stop using EGRIFTA SV® if any cancer symptoms come back.

  • Increased levels of your insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your IGF-1 levels while you are taking EGRIFTA SV®.

  • Serious allergic reaction such as rash or hives anywhere over the body or on the skin, swelling of the face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling of faintness or fainting, itching and reddening or flushing of the skin. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using EGRIFTA SV® and get emergency medical help right away.

  • Swelling or fluid retention. Call your healthcare provider if you have swelling, an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist.

  • Increase in blood sugar (glucose) or diabetes.

  • Injection site reactions. Injection site reactions are a common side effect of EGRIFTA SV®, but may sometimes be serious.

  • Increased risk of death in people who have critical illness because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory) problems has happened when taking certain growth hormones.

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA SV® include:

  • Pain in legs and arms

  • Muscle pain

These are not all of the possible side effects of EGRIFTA SV®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372).

This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about EGRIFTA SV®, see the full Prescribing Information, Patient Information, Patient Instructions for Use, and talk to your doctor. For more information about EGRIFTA SV® contact THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372).