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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using tesamorelin (Egrifta)?

You should not use tesamorelin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• cancer;
• a pituitary gland disorder;
• a history of pituitary gland tumor or surgery;
• a history of head injury or radiation treatment; or
• if you are pregnant.

To make sure you can safely take tesamorelin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• a history of cancer or any tumor (either benign or malignant);
• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• kidney disease;
• diabetes, eye problems caused by diabetes;
• epilepsy
• asthma;
• migraine headaches;
• adrenal gland disorder;
• if you have ever had open heart surgery; or
• if you have any major illness, or a recent trauma or medical emergency.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use tesamorelin if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How tesamorelin given (Egrifta)?

Tesamorelin is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

This medication comes with injection instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Tesamorelin is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

After mixing tesamorelin with a diluent, you must use it right away. Do not store the mixture for later use.

Tesamorelin is usually given once per day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use a different place on your stomach each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Never share a tesamorelin syringe with another person, even if you change the needle. Sharing syringes or needles can allow HIV or other diseases to pass from one person to another.

To make sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Store vials of tesamorelin powder in the refrigerator, do not freeze.

Store the diluent at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Throw away any unused vials after the expiration date on the label has passed.

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