Somatropin, E coli Derived (By injection)
soe-ma-TROE-pin, E-KOH-lye dee-rived
Treats conditions in which a person’s body does not grow properly or does not produce enough natural growth hormone.
Drug classes
Endocrine-Metabolic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Somatropin is a man-made version of human growth hormone. Growth hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is necessary to stimulate growth in children. Man-made growth hormone may be used in adults or children who have certain conditions that prevent normal growth. These conditions include growth hormone deficiency (inability to produce enough growth hormone), chronic kidney disease, idiopathic short stature (unexplained shortness), Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency, and short stature born small for gestational age (SGA) with no catch-up growth by age 2 to 4 years of age.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
There are many different types of injection devices available for this medicine. Each time you get your medicine, check to be sure you have received the proper device. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about the device that you were given.
You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
Use each vial or syringe only one time. Do not save an open vial or syringe. If the medicine in the vial or syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.
Missed dose: Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
The storage instructions differ from brand to brand. Ask your pharmacist how to store your brand of medicine. Make sure you know how long you can store this medicine after mixing.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how somatropin works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
Cyclosporine Estrogen hormone replacement Insulin or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth Medicine for seizures Steroid medicine, such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasoneWhen Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to somatropin, benzyl alcohol, or metacresol, or if you have cancer or diabetic retinopathy.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, pituitary problems, kidney disease, a history of cancer, scoliosis (curved spine), or Turner syndrome. Tell your doctor if your child has Prader-Willi syndrome, especially if he has sleep apnea or breathing problems.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Hip bone dislocation Changes in blood sugar levels Increased pressure in the head Pancreatitis Increased risk for cancerTell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Headache, pain behind your eyes, vision problems, and nausea or vomiting
Hip or knee pain, limping
Increased thirst or hunger, increase in how much or how often you urinate
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
Rapid growth or weight gain, swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness
Trouble breathing, wheezing, new or worsening snoring
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Ear pain or fluid draining from your ear
Increased sweating
Joint or muscle pain, stiffness or pain in your arms or legs
Pain, redness, burning, swelling, a hard lump, or skin changes where your shot is given
Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness (in both females and males)
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Accretropin, Genotropin, Genotropin Miniquick, Humatrope, Norditropin, Norditropin Flexpro, Nutropin, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 10, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 20, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 5, Nutropin AQ Pen, Nutropin AQ Pen Cartridge, Nutropin Aq, Omnitrope, Saizen, Tev-Tropin, Zomacton
There may be other brand names for this medicine.