How Do Growth Hormone-releasing Factors Work?

Growth hormone-releasing factors are a class of drugs used to decrease extra fat in the stomach area in adults with human immunodeficiency virus who have lipodystrophy (increased body fat in certain areas of the body) and as a diagnostic pituitary (a pea-sized endocrine gland at the base of the brain) stimulation.

One of the contents belonging to this class is “arginine” which is a natural compound called “amino acid” found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products and necessary for the body to produce proteins. It is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide that causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow and to maintain circulation. Arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormones, insulin, and other substances in the body.

Growth hormone-releasing factors are available as a powder to be mixed with the liquid provided with the medication and injected subcutaneously (under the skin).

Growth hormone-releasing factors work in the following ways:

• They belong to a class of medications called “human growth hormone-releasing factor analogs” that work by increasing the production of growth hormone which is responsible for decreasing the amount of body fat. 
• They stimulate the synthesis and release of endogenous growth hormone, with an increase in the level of insulin-like growth factor, which then binds with the receptors present on various body organs and regulates the body composition. 
• In addition, they reduce body fat mass by lipolysis (the process of breaking down lipids), thus reducing triglycerides levels.

Growth hormone-releasing factors are used in conditions such as:

• Pituitary stimulation
  • Used as a diagnostic pituitary stimulant to measure human growth hormone reserve for conditions such as panhypopituitarism, pituitary dwarfism, chromophobe adenoma, postsurgical craniopharyngioma, hypophysectomy, pituitary trauma, acromegaly, gigantism, and problems of growth and stature
• HIV-associated lipodystrophy

Some of the common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Night sweats
• Joint pain
• Headache
• Flushing
• Injection site reactions

Other rare side effects include:

• Dizziness 
• Insomnia 
• Rash/hives
• Arthralgia (pain in joints)
• Hematuria (blood in urine)
• Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level)
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Muscle spasms
• Hypoesthesia (partial or total loss of sensation in a part of the body)

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of growth hormone-releasing factors include:

• Arginine
• Egrifta
• L-arginine
• RGene-10
• Tesamorelin