What is Arginine HCl?
Arginine HCl injection is used to assess the function of the pituitary gland. It stimulates the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone for the diagnosis of certain conditions.
Arginine HCl is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Arginine HCl indications
Arginine HCl® 10 is indicated as an intravenous stimulant to the pituitary for the release of
human growth hormone in patients where the measurement of pituitary reserve for HGH
can be of diagnostic usefulness. It can be used as a diagnostic aid in such conditions as
panhypopituitarism, pituitary dwarfism, chromophobe adenoma, postsurgical
craniopharyngioma, hypophysectomy, pituitary trauma, acromegaly, gigantism and
problems of growth and stature.
If the insulin hypoglycemia test has indicated a deficiency of pituitary reserve for HGH, a
test with Arginine HCl® 10 is advisable to confirm the negative response. This can be done
after a waiting period of one day. As patients may not respond to Arginine HCl® 10 (10%
Arginine HCl Hydrochloride Injection, USP) during the first test, the unresponsive patient should be tested again to confirm the negative result. A second test can be performed
after a waiting period of one day. Some patients who respond to Arginine HCl® 10 do not
respond to insulin and vice versa. The rate of false positive responses for Arginine HCl® 10 is
approximately 32%, and the rate of false negatives is approximately 27%.
Uses of Arginine HCl in details
Use: Labeled Indications
Diagnostic aid: As an intravenous (IV) stimulant to the pituitary for the release of human growth hormone (hGH) in patients in whom the measurement of pituitary reserve for hGH can be of diagnostic usefulness. Used as a diagnostic aid in such conditions as panhypopituitarism, pituitary dwarfism, chromophobe adenoma, postsurgical craniopharyngioma, hypophysectomy, pituitary trauma, acromegaly, gigantism, and problems of growth and stature.
Off Label Uses
Hyperammonemia (acute) associated with urea cycle disorders
Data from an uncontrolled open-label study conducted over a 25 year period supports the use of intravenous Arginine HCl (in combination with sodium benzoate, sodium phenylacetate and adequate caloric provision) for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia associated with urea-cycle disorders resulting in increased survival.
Based on the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the use of Arginine HCl is effective and recommended for the management of patients with this condition.
Oral products available in the US are often marketed as dietary supplements. When using these products, patients should take care to ensure that they are receiving pharmaceutical grade supplements of Arginine HCl and verify the formulation (free base vs Arginine HCl). The National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation cautions against using oral dietary supplements of Arginine HCl (National Urea Cycles Disorder Foundation).
Arginine HCl description
An essential amino acid that is physiologically active in the L-form. [PubChem]
Arginine HCl dosage
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Solution,
Intravenous, as hydrochloride [preservative free]:
Arginine HCl 10: 10% (300 mL) [latex free]
Dosing: Adult
Diagnostic aid (pituitary function): Note: Dosing based on Arginine HCl hydrochloride product. IV: 30 g as a single dose
Hyperammonemia, acute (urea cycle disorders) (off-label use): Note: Dosing based on Arginine HCl hydrochloride product and on specific enzyme deficiency. Therapy should continue until ammonia levels are in normal range. If a loading dose is used, it should not be repeated. Arginine HCl dose may be adjusted downward if patient becomes hypotensive and/or when the exact enzyme deficiency is identified. Administer concomitantly with sodium benzoate and sodium phenylacetate along with dialysis (NORD 2012).
Weight-directed dosing:
Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS, Citrullinemia) or Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) deficiency: IV: Loading dose: 600 mg/kg followed by a continuous IV infusion of 600 mg/kg/day (NORD 2012)
Carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) or N-acetylglutamate synthetase (NAGS) deficiency: IV: Loading dose: 200 mg/kg followed by a continuous IV infusion of 200 mg/kg/day (NORD 2012)
Unconfirmed/pending diagnosis: IV: Loading dose: 600 mg/kg followed by a continuous IV infusion of 600 mg/kg/day (NORD 2012); if ASS and ASL are excluded as diagnostic possibilities, reduce dose to 200 mg/kg/day
BSA-directed dosing:
Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS, Citrullinemia) or Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) deficiency: IV: Loading dose: 12 g/m/day in 3 to 4 divided doses
Arginine HCl interactions
Cyclosporine - Arginine HCl may counteract the antinaturetic effect of cyclosporin. Ibuprofen - Arginine HCl may increase the absorption of ibuprofen if taken concomitantly. Organic nitrates - Arginine HCl supplements theoretically may potentiate the effects of organic nitrates if taken concomitantly. Sildenafil citrate - Theoretically, Arginine HCl supplements taken concomitantly with sildenafil citrate, may potentiate the effects of the drug.
Arginine HCl side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Arginine HCl?
Adverse reactions associated with 1670 infusions in premarketing studies were as
follows:
Non-specific side effects consisting of nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, numbness
and local venous irritation were reported in approximately 3% of the patients.
One patient had an allergic reaction which was manifested as a confluent macular rash
with reddening and swelling of the hands and face. The rash subsided rapidly after the
infusion was terminated and 50 mg of diphenhydramine were administered. One patient
had an apparent decrease in platelet count from 150,000 to 60,000. One patient with a
history of acrocyanosis had an exacerbation of this condition following infusion of RGene
® 10.
Arginine HCl contraindications
The administration of Arginine HCl® 10 is contraindicated in persons having highly allergic
tendencies.
Active ingredient matches for Arginine HCl:
Arginine HCl
List of Arginine HCl substitutes (brand and generic names) | Sort by popularity |
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Allamin Isotonic (Taiwan) | |
| Allamin Isotonic 300 mL | |
| Allamin Isotonic 500 mL | |
| Argide (Vietnam) | |
| Argide 200 mg x 12 Blister x 5 Tablet | |
| Arginin-Euvipharm (Vietnam) | |
| Arginin-Euvipharm 1000 mg x 2 Blister x 10 tube x 5 mL | |
| Baliamine X (Taiwan) | |
| Baliamine X 500 mL | |
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Arginine HCl are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Arginine HCl. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported time for results
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported age
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to write one! |
Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
