When people stopped taking tesamorelin, not only did their belly fat come back, but they also felt worse about how they looked and their waist got bigger again.

Scientific Claim

In HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy with central fat accumulation, switching from tesamorelin to placebo for 6 months reverses the improvements in visceral adipose tissue, waist circumference, and body image distress achieved during initial treatment.

Original Statement

“The initial improvements over 6 months in VAT were rapidly lost in those switching from tesamorelin to placebo.”

From study:Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The within-subject crossover design with blinded assessment provides strong causal evidence for reversal of benefits upon discontinuation. The claim is supported by the study’s structure and results.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2010 Mar

When people with HIV stopped taking tesamorelin and switched to a dummy pill, the belly fat and body image improvements they gained went away quickly — meaning the drug’s benefits don’t last unless you keep taking it.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Score: 81

DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181cbdaff

Similar Assertions

If HIV patients stop taking tesamorelin and switch to a dummy pill, their dangerous belly fat quickly returns to previous levels.

93%

A drug called tesamorelin helps reduce belly fat deep inside the abdomen for people with HIV who are on medication, making their belly fat decrease by about 15% compared to those not taking the drug. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

88%

A drug called tesamorelin helps HIV patients with belly fat buildup lose about 11% of their dangerous internal belly fat in six months, while those on a dummy pill lose almost none.

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A daily injection called tesamorelin helps HIV patients with a big belly lose nearly 11% of their dangerous internal belly fat in six months, while those getting a fake shot don’t lose any.

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A daily injection called tesamorelin helps HIV patients on medication lose belly fat inside their abdomen, while a fake shot doesn’t.

86%