Pegvisomant

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Pegvisomant

Pegvisomant (pronounced: peg-vi-so-mant) is a growth hormone receptor antagonist used in the treatment of acromegaly. It is a genetically engineered analogue of human growth hormone that differs from the natural hormone by the substitution of 191 amino acid residues and the addition of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule.

Etymology

The name "Pegvisomant" is derived from the words "PEG", an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol, and "visomant", which is a combination of Latin roots "viso" (meaning "to look at") and "mantis" (meaning "prophet"). This name reflects the drug's function as a growth hormone receptor antagonist.

Usage

Pegvisomant is used to treat acromegaly, a condition characterized by the overproduction of growth hormone and subsequent enlargement of body tissues. It works by blocking the action of growth hormone, thereby reducing symptoms of the condition.

Related Terms

Side Effects

Like all medications, Pegvisomant can cause side effects. Common side effects include liver damage, injection site reactions, and flu-like symptoms. Less common but more serious side effects can include tumor growth.

Precautions

Before starting treatment with Pegvisomant, patients should inform their healthcare provider about any existing health conditions, especially liver disease. Regular monitoring of liver function is recommended during treatment.

Interactions

Pegvisomant may interact with other medications, including insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents. Patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medications they are currently taking.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski