Mecasermin
Mecasermin
Mecasermin (pronounced meh-KAS-er-min) is a synthetic form of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that stimulates growth in the body. It is used to treat growth failure in children with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or with growth hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to GH.
Etymology
The term "Mecasermin" is derived from the words "mechanical" and "serum", indicating its synthetic nature and its function as a growth factor in the body.
Usage
Mecasermin is used to treat children who have severe primary IGF-1 deficiency or who have a growth hormone gene deletion and have developed neutralizing antibodies to growth hormone. It is not used for growth hormone deficiency, malnutrition, or for children who have finished growing (closed growth plates).
Administration
Mecasermin is administered by subcutaneous injection. The dosage is based on the patient's weight and must be determined by a doctor. It is usually given twice a day, at least 20 minutes before or after a meal or snack.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Mecasermin include hypoglycemia, injection site reactions, lipohypertrophy, tonsillar hypertrophy, and snoring. Severe side effects may include hypoglycemia leading to unconsciousness or seizures.
Related Terms
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- IGF-1 deficiency
- Hypoglycemia
- Lipohypertrophy
- Tonsillar hypertrophy
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mecasermin
- Wikipedia's article - Mecasermin
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