Lipodystrophy is a condition caused by loss of fat tissue from the body either due to a mutation in certain genes (congenital or familial lipodystrophy) or associated with other medical conditions (acquired lipodystrophy). Fat cells produce a hormone, leptin, which controls appetite and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates in the body. The loss of fat cells results in leptin deficiency which in turn results in metabolic abnormalities including severe insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver disease. Myalept® / Myalepta®▼, a leptin replacement therapy, when used as an adjunct to a specific diet, has been shown to improve these metabolic parameters resulting in lower triglyceride levels, lower blood sugar levels and lower HbA1C (a measure of diabetic control).
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) granted authorisation for metreleptin under the trade name ‘Myalept’ in February 2014. Myalept® is indicated as:
An analog indicated as an adjunct to diet as replacement therapy to treat the complications of leptin deficiency in patients with congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy
Myalept® has a Boxed Warning for the risk of hepatotoxicity. Please click here for Important Safety Information, including the Boxed Warning, and Full Prescribing Information.
See Myalept.com for further information (US audiences only).