Treatment Options

Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options enable individualization of treatment based on your patients’ needs

The primary goal of treating HIV-associated wasting (HIVAW), irrespective of the intervention chosen, is to effectively restore normal weight and body composition¹

Rx Therapy

There may be prescription medications available to help treat the symptoms of HIVAW
Discover a treatment option here

Nutritional Supplements

Your patients living with HIV may develop nutritional deficiencies^2,3
Nutritional supplements may play a role in boosting caloric intake, but must be taken regularly in order to maintain results¹

Appetite Stimulants

People living with HIV may have reduced caloric intake^2,3
Appetite stimulants may stimulate a patient’s appetite, but do not always address nutritional deficiencies as patients may not choose to consume nutrition-rich foods
Some stimulants may have a greater effect on fat than on muscle^1,4

Testosterone

Some testosterone therapies have been shown to increase lean body mass in patients with HIVAW, but not all formulations of therapy are equally effective^1,5,6
It is recommended that patients receiving testosterone therapy undergo annual prostate examinations along with additional monitoring depending on formulation^1,6

Growth Hormone

Clinical studies have shown that growth hormone therapy may increase both weight and physical endurance^1,7
Growth hormone should be used with caution in people living with HIV; appropriate monitoring should be conducted¹

Resistance Training

Progressive resistance training exercises can help develop lean body mass^1,2
Not all patients have access to proper equipment or training

The benefits of nutrition and exercise

Proper nutrition and exercise are essential to help address HIVAW. Encourage your patients to speak with you about creating an effective exercise routine and diet program.

Nutrition

Nutritional counseling has been shown to increase caloric intake in patients
Giving patients supplemental high-calorie drinks, working with them to create a plan for balancing their diet, and targeting specific dietary deficiencies may help patients gain weight

Exercise

Resistance training exercises have been shown to increase lean body mass and muscular strength, but patients need proper equipment and training
Light to moderate exercise is safe for people living with HIV
Exercises that may benefit your patients include:
- Aerobic: swimming, cycling, walking
- Strength training
- Flexibility training

Learn about the symptoms your patients may be experiencing so that you can recognize the signs and begin diagnosing HIVAW.

Explore a robust library of downloadable PDF resources and videos about HIVAW.

The people depicted on this website are not actual healthcare providers or patients with HIV-associated wasting.

References: 1. Grinspoon S, Mulligan K; for the Department of Health and Human Services Working Group on the Prevention and Treatment of Wasting and Weight Loss. Weight loss and wasting in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin Infec Dis. 2003;36(suppl 2):S69-S78. 2. Dudgeon WD, Phillips KD, Carson JA, Brewer JA, Durstine JL, Hand GA. Counteracting muscle wasting in HIV-infected individuals. HIV Med. 2006;7(5):299-310. 3. Wasserman P, Segal-Maurer S, Wehbeh W, Rubin DS. Wasting disease, chronic immune activation, and inflammation in the HIV-infected patient. Top Clin Nutr. 2011;26(1):14-28. 4. Badowski ME, Perez SE. Clinical utility of dronabinol in the treatment of weight loss associated with HIV and AIDS. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2016;8:37-45. 5. Ashby J, Goldmeier D, Sadeghi-Nejad H. Hypogonadism in human immunodeficiency virus-positive men. Korean J Urol. 2014;55:9-16. 6. Bhasin S, Brito JP, Cunningham GR, et al. Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(5):1715-1744. 7. Moyle GJ, Daar ES, Gertner JM, et al. Growth hormone improves lean body mass, physical performance, and quality of life in subjects with HIV-associated weight loss or wasting on highly active antiretroviral therapy. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;35(4):367-375.

HIVAW IS A SERIOUS
BUT TREATABLE CONDITION¹

Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options enable individualization of treatment based on your patients’ needs

The benefits of nutrition and exercise

Learn more about a specific treatment option for HIV-associated wasting

You are now leaving HIVWasting.com.

The following site is intended for US healthcare professionals only.

HIVAW IS A SERIOUS BUT TREATABLE CONDITION1

Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options enable individualization of treatment based on your patients’ needs

The benefits of nutrition and exercise

Learn more about a specific treatment option for HIV-associated wasting

You are now leaving HIVWasting.com.

The following site is intended for US healthcare professionals only.

HIVAW IS A SERIOUS
BUT TREATABLE CONDITION¹