Pegvisomant

Is Pegvisomant safe?

Liver enzymes tracked; registries

The main lab worry is the liver. Transaminase enzymes rise in a minority of patients, usually reversibly. The label calls for liver tests before starting and at intervals afterward. Injection-site reactions are common. Lipohypertrophy is a lump of fat tissue that forms when injections go in the same place. It is a listed warning but uncommon (1.6% in the registry). Other reported effects include infection, pain, nausea, diarrhea and flu-like symptoms. ¹²

Pegvisomant does not shrink the pituitary tumor. It may also remove the feedback that holds the tumor back. So the label advises periodic imaging to check tumor size. Blocking growth hormone can lower blood sugar, so patients with diabetes may need less medication. ²

Read the full Pegvisomant page

Reference information only, not medical advice. Drawn from the Pegvisomant article, fact-checked against the cited sources. No dosing anywhere on this site.