Growth Hormone: Myths and Misconceptions

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-250
Author(s):  
Valerie J. Wirth ◽  
Joe Gieck
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Adipose Tissue Volume ◽  
The Many ◽  
Positive Results

Growth hormone is one of the many dangerous and illegal ergogenic aids currently used by athletes. In those who suffer from a growth hormone deficiency, supplementation does produce positive results: Muscle volume increases while adipose tissue volume is significantly reduced. Growth hormone supplementation can also lead to strength increases in the deficient population (2, 6, 13) as well as in the elderly population (16, 18, 25). In healthy young men, growth hormone supplementation has been shown to increase fat-free mass and to decrease fat mass. However, these changes are not accompanied by strength gains (5, 7, 23, 24). This finding, coupled with the numerous side effects associated with the drug, presents a strong case for athletes to abandon its use as an ergogenic aid.

scholarly journals Aromatherapy Versus Pharmaceutical Interventions for Dementia Related Behaviors Translating & Integrating Scholarship Practicum

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Psychotropic Drugs ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Pharmaceutical Management ◽  
Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Relaxing Effect ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

The elderly population is expected to double in the next thirty years increasing the number of individuals with the diagnosis of dementia. By proxy, dementia related behaviors such as agitation, anxiety and restless will also increase. Currently, pharmaceutical management of these behaviors include Ativan, Haldol and other psychotropic drugs which have side effects that place individuals at risk for falls and at times even aggravate the behaviors. Although, not widely researched, aromatherapy is a safe alternative to treating Dementia related behaviors. Research shows aromatherapy has a calming and relaxing effect which can be measured physiologically.

Psychopharmacological Agents, Side Effects, and Black Box Warnings

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish A. Fozdar ◽  
Jacob C. Holzer
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Mood Stabilizers ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Risk Management Strategies ◽  
Black Box Warnings ◽  
Sedative Hypnotics

From a medical-legal viewpoint, psychopharmacological management in the elderly population requires a multifaceted, comprehensive approach, involving a detailed clinical diagnostic assessment, an awareness of a patient’s current medical status, risk factors, and an understanding of the risks and benefits of various treatment options. Several risk management strategies can be employed as part of the treatment process, which are reviewed in this chapter. Special attention is needed in the pharmacological management of the elderly population with respect to efficacy and risk as well as polypharmacy. It is important that clinicians have a broad understanding of the different medication classes, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, cognitive-enhancing medications, benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, and stimulants; specific agents; indications; kinetics; and side effects in both the clinical management of elderly patients and in medical-legal consultation.

Clozapine: Serious Adverse Side Effects, Drug Interactions, and Other Complications of Therapy

1996 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna M. Guith
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Antipsychotic Agent ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pharmacological Properties ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Clozapine Therapy

Clozapine (Clozaril®, Sandoz, East Hanover, NJ), an atypical antipsychotic agent with pharmacological properties considerably different from standard neuroleptics, has been found to be of great benefit especially to patients with treatment-resistant psychotic disorders. However, it is these unique pharmacological properties that have also been associated with mul tiple side effects ranging from the relatively benign (ie, sialorrhea during sleep, dizziness) to the potentially fatal (ie, agranulocytosis, seizures, and respiratory depression) which have limited its use. These untoward side effects are particularly problematic in the elderly population who often have concomitant medi cal illnesses requiring multiple medication regimens, including psychotropics that may interact with cloza pine (ie, benzodiazepines, cimetidine, fluoxetine). Because even the most benign of side effects has the potential of becoming fatal in certain circumstances if left unaddressed, it is imperative for patients, clinicians, pharmacists, and all health care professionals to be aware of adverse reactions and possible complica tions of clozapine therapy to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company

scholarly journals Baseline Body Composition in Prepubertal Short Stature Children with Severe and Moderate Growth Hormone Deficiency

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawel Matusik ◽  
Marta Klesiewicz ◽  
Karolina Klos ◽  
Martyna Stasiulewicz ◽  
Aleksandra Barylak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Growth Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Peak Level ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Moderate Growth

Objective.To compare body composition parameters in short children with severe versus moderate and no growth hormone deficiency (GHD).Design and Method.61 children (40 boys) were studied. Height SDS, BMIZ-score, waist/height ratio (W/HtR), and body composition parameters (BIA) as fat tissue (FAT%), fat-free mass (FFM%), predicted muscle mass (PMM%), and total body water (TBW%) were evaluated. GH secretion in the overnight profile and two stimulation tests and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level were measured.Results.Overall, in 16 (26%) moderate (7.0 > peak GH < 10 ng/mL) and in 11 (18%) severe (GH ≤ 7.0 ng/mL) GHD was diagnosed. In children with sGHD BMIZ-score, W/HtR and FAT% were significantly higher, while FFM%, PMM%, and TBW% were significantly lower versus mGHD and versus noGHD subgroups. No significant differences between mGHD and noGHD were found. There were no differences in height SDS and IGF-1 SDS between evaluated subgroups. Night GH peak level correlated significantly with FAT%, FFM%, PMM%, and TBW%, (p<0.05) in the entire group.Conclusions.Only sGHD is associated with significant impairment of body composition. Body composition analysis may be a useful tool in distinguishing between its severe and moderate form of GHD.

140 Midodrine Hydrochloride in the Management of Elderly Patients with Neurocardiogenic Syncope: A Prospective Observational Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv34-iv39
Author(s):  
Angelene Teo ◽  
Arturo Vilches-Moraga ◽  
John Staniland
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Vasovagal Syncope ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Abstract Background Midodrine hydrochloride is an alpha-1 agonist that has been used in the management of syncope in patients with orthostatic hypotension, vasovagal syncope and vasodepressor carotid sinus syndrome when non-pharmacological means have failed. However, there are very limited information about its use, tolerability and side effects among the elderly population. Objectives We aim to document effectiveness of Midodrine in patients who have been diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope assessed and managed at a specialist falls and syncope outpatient unit. We monitored for changes in patients' symptoms, adverse reactions reported and optimum drug dosages that have shown benefit in this cohort of patients. Methods A prospective observational study of 33 subjects aged between 68 and 94 (mean age 79) who have been started on Midodrine therapy following positive tilt table test or confirmed diagnosis of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension despite conservative managements. They have been followed up for a mean of 2.9 years. Results 81% of patients( n=27) reported significant improvement in their symptoms. Although 7 patients reported adverse reactions to Midodrine, the majority of the patients tolerated the therapy well and continued on the treatment except for one patient who experienced gastrointestinal discomfort and withdrew completely. Commonest side effects are pruritus and piloerection, but they are not amenable to treatment due to underlying mechanism of action of Midodrine on hair follicles. The dosage varies from 2.5mg to 10mg, taken at 8am, 12pm and 5pm due to risk of nocturnal supine hypertension. Higher dose did not correlate with higher possibility of experiencing side effects. Conclusion Midodrine appears to be effective, safe and well tolerated among the elderly population. It should be considered in the management of patients with neurocardiogenic syncope when non-pharmacological means have failed, irrespective of age. This observational study requires further confirmation by randomised control studies with larger sample size.

scholarly journals Myalgia and Hematuria in Association with Clonidine and Arginine Administration for Growth Hormone Stimulation Tests

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Glibbery ◽  
Adam Fleming ◽  
Rahul Chanchlani ◽  
Olufemi Abiodun Ajani ◽  
Norma Marchetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Anaplastic Ependymoma ◽  
Gross Hematuria ◽  
Unusual Combination ◽  
Stimulation Tests ◽  
History Of ◽  
Growth Deceleration

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children has significant impacts on growth and metabolism. Two-agent GH stimulation tests are commonly used to diagnose GHD, and these tests are generally considered safe. We report the case of a 5-year 5-month-old boy with a history of anaplastic ependymoma who underwent GH stimulation testing for growth deceleration using clonidine and arginine. He developed bilateral calf myalgia and gross hematuria within 24 hours of the tests. Myalgia and hematuria resolved spontaneously. Importantly, the literature review and database searches for hematuria identified 6 cases with clonidine and 20 cases with arginine. This case highlights an unusual combination of adverse reactions to clonidine and arginine in children undergoing GH stimulation testing to assess for GHD. Pediatric endocrinologists need to be aware of the potential for these side effects to allow appropriate management, and further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms and frequency of these side effects. We recommend that patients and families need to be counselled about hematuria as an association of GH testing with these medications.

A Pharmacological Appraisal of Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Flavonoids Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhao ◽  
Mengxia Zhu ◽  
Mukesh Kumar ◽  
Fung Yin Ngo ◽  
Yinghui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Novel Therapeutics ◽  
The Core ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Core Symptoms

Background & Objective: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) affect an increasing number of the elderly population worldwide. The existing treatments mainly improve the core symptoms of AD and PD in a temporary manner and cause alarming side effects. Naturally occurring flavonoids are well-documented for neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects against various neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we analyzed the pharmacokinetics of eight potent natural products flavonoids for the druggability and discussed the neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects and the underlying mechanisms. Conclusion: This review provides valuable clues for the development of novel therapeutics against neurodegenerative diseases.

Glucagon Stimulation Testing in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency— A 2014 Update

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Kevin C J Yuen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Growth Hormone Deficiency ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Stimulation Test ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Insulin Tolerance ◽  
Adult Growth

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a well-recognized clinical syndrome in adults, and its diagnosis is established through one or more GH stimulation tests. The decision to perform GH stimulation testing should be based on medical history and clinical findings, and using appropriate GH stimulation test/s for biochemical confirmation. The insulin tolerance test (ITT) remains the diagnostic test of choice; however, this test is labor intensive, contraindicated in the elderly and in adults with seizure disorders and ischemic heart disease, can be unpleasant for the patient, and is potentially hazardous. With the discontinuation of the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analog (Geref®) in the US in 2008, the glucagon stimulation test (GST) has gained increasing popularity as the alternative test to the ITT because of its availability, reproducibility, safety, lack of influence by gender and hypothalamic cause of GH deficiency (GHD), and relatively few contraindications. In this article, recommendations for performing this test, the potential drawbacks in conducting and caveats in interpreting this test, and its future perspectives are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document