Sculptra Facial Treatment; New Physician Locator

by John S. James

Summary: Dermik, the maker of Sculptra (a treatment for facial lipoatrophy, called New Fill in some countries) has created a database to help patients find physicians in their area who use the product. Our announcement also points to information from the recent Retroviruses conference on preventing the problem in the first place and avoiding the need for the treatment, by switching antiretroviral regimens if lipoatrophy starts to develop.

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On February 28, responding to patient and activist requests, Dermik, the maker of Sculptra (still called New Fill in some countries), added a U.S. physician locator to its Web site,
http://www1.sculptra.com/US/Locator.do Sculptra is used as a restorative treatment for lipoatrophy (fat wasting) of the face.

Note that "This service is not intended as a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any particular health care provider or practice, or as a tool for verifying credentials, qualifications, or abilities" (quoted from Web site). It lists physicians using Sculptra who are located near one's ZIP code. Physicians add themselves to the list by submitting a form they obtain from their Sculptra sales representative. So after checking the list, ask a trusted physician for advice -- to help find a doctor who has considerable experience with Sculptra and is well regarded in the medical community.

For more information about Sculptra and similar treatments, see
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PozHealth/ -- an email discussion list with over 1500 members (you do not need to join to read the messages). For information about lipoatrophy, see the Retroviruses conference search in the comment below.

Comment on Avoiding d4Tand AZT, in Case of Lipoatrophy

It is best not to need restorative treatments at all. At the 12th Retroviruses Conference (February 2005) there was considerable discussion of switching patients away from thymidine analogs (d4T or AZT; d4T may be particularly important to avoid) to other regimens such as those using tenofovir or abacavir, if lipoatrophy starts to become a problem. For more information, search the conference abstracts for the 12 that include the word lipoatrophy (see especially abstracts 40, 44LB, and 45LB, which will be included in the search results). Keep in mind that no HIV treatment is without risk, and that people can respond very differently. So those doing well on any regimen may want to stay with it if possible.

The home page for the Retroviruses conference is http://www.retroconference.org/ Click on Search Abstracts to search the presentations at the most recent annual meeting.

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