WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PATIENTS?
Rx Therapy
Nutritional Supplements
Appetite Stimulants
Testosterone
Anabolic Steroids
Growth Hormone
Resistance Training
Rx Therapy
Rx Therapy
- There may be prescription medications available to help treat the symptoms of HIV-associated wasting
- Discover a treatment option here
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional Supplements
- Your patients living with HIV may develop nutritional deficiencies1,2
- Nutritional supplements may play a role in boosting caloric intake, but must be taken regularly in order to maintain results3
Appetite Stimulants
Appetite Stimulants
- People living with HIV may have reduced caloric intake1,2
- 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 muscle3,4
Testosterone
Testosterone
- Some testosterone therapies have been shown to increase lean body mass in patients with HIV-associated wasting, but not all formulations of therapy are equally effective3,5,6
- It is recommended that patients receiving testosterone therapy undergo annual prostate examinations along with additional monitoring depending on formulation3,6
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic Steroids
- Anabolic steroids may help increase weight3
- Anabolic steroids should be used with caution in people living with HIV; appropriate monitoring should be conducted3,5
Growth Hormone
Growth Hormone
- Clinical studies have shown that growth hormone therapy may increase both weight and physical endurance3,7
- Growth hormone should be used with caution in people living with HIV; appropriate monitoring should be conducted2
Resistance Training
Resistance Training
- Progressive resistance training exercises can help develop lean body mass1,3
- Not all patients have access to proper equipment or training
Nutrition and exercise
Proper nutrition and exercise are essential to help address HIV-associated wasting. 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 LBM 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 HIV-associated wasting.
Explore downloadable PDF resources and videos about HIV-associated wasting.
The people depicted on this website are not actual HIV-associated wasting patients or healthcare professionals.
Learn more about a specific treatment option for HIV-associated wasting.
References:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- Ashby J, Goldmeier D, Sadeghi-Nejad H. Hypogonadism in human immunodeficiency virus-positive men. Korean J Urol. 2014;55:9-16.
- 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.
- 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.