somapacitan at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting recombinant human growth hormone derivative
Main use
Growth hormone replacement for confirmed growth hormone deficiency
How it is given
Injection under the skin using a pre-filled pen after appropriate training
Specialist oversight
Treatment is started and monitored by a clinician experienced in growth hormone deficiency
What is somapacitan used for?
Uses represented by the selected product are:
Replacement of growth hormone in children aged 3 years and over and adolescents with growth failure caused by growth hormone deficiency.
Replacement of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency.
How does somapacitan work?
Somapacitan activates growth hormone receptors and increases tissue production of insulin-like growth factor I, particularly in the liver. An albumin-binding side chain slows its removal from the bloodstream. In children this supports growth at open growth plates; in adults it influences fat, muscle, bone and metabolism.
somapacitan preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 10 mg/1.5 mL, 15 mg/1.5 mL
How to take somapacitan
Use the pre-filled pen only after training from a doctor or nurse. Food does not affect administration because somapacitan is injected under the skin.
Inject into the abdomen, thigh, buttock or upper arm as demonstrated by the clinical team.
Rotate the injection site to reduce local fatty-tissue changes.
Use a new compatible needle for each injection, then remove and dispose of it safely.
Do not share the pen or needles.
Do not use solution that contains particles, has an unexpected appearance or has been frozen.
Keep the capped pen protected from light and follow the leaflet’s refrigeration and travel-storage instructions.
somapacitan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Injection-site pain, redness, bruising or swelling
- Swelling of the hands or feet from fluid retention
- Joint, muscle or limb pain
- Tiredness or weakness
- High blood glucose
- Reduced thyroid function
- Adrenocortical insufficiency
- Pins and needles, rash or hives in adults
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or recurring headache with visual disturbance, nausea or vomiting, which may indicate raised pressure inside the skull
- Severe unexplained abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Persistent hip or knee pain or limping in a growing child
- Signs of clinically important adrenal insufficiency or marked deterioration in glucose control
- Evidence of tumour growth or recurrence
somapacitan in pregnancy
Somapacitan is not recommended during pregnancy because human pregnancy data are unavailable. Reliable contraception is advised where pregnancy is possible; contact the prescriber promptly if pregnancy occurs or is planned.
somapacitan while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether somapacitan passes into human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. The specialist and patient should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or interrupt treatment after considering the benefits of each.
somapacitan interactions
Tell the specialist team about all prescribed, non-prescribed and hormonal treatments. Important examples include:
Oral oestrogens, including oral contraception and hormone therapy
May reduce the IGF-I response to somapacitan; starting, stopping or changing oestrogen requires specialist review.
Insulin and other glucose-lowering medicines
Somapacitan may reduce insulin sensitivity, so glucose control needs closer monitoring and treatment review.
Glucocorticoids
Growth hormone can unmask central adrenal insufficiency or make existing replacement inadequate; assess adrenal function and clinical response.
Common questions about somapacitan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is somapacitan the same as natural growth hormone?
It is a recombinant derivative closely resembling human growth hormone, modified with an albumin-binding side chain so that it remains in the circulation longer.
Does somapacitan replace growth hormone or stimulate its production?
It replaces the effects of missing growth hormone by activating growth hormone receptors and increasing IGF-I production.
Is somapacitan licensed for adults and children?
The selected product is licensed for adults with growth hormone deficiency and for children aged 3 years and over and adolescents with growth failure caused by the deficiency.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.