somatropin at a glance
Medicine class
Recombinant human growth hormone
Administration
Injection beneath the skin after appropriate training
Prescribing
Initiated and monitored by an experienced specialist
Injection sites
Vary sites to reduce local loss or thickening of fatty tissue
What is somatropin used for?
Selected UK products collectively license somatropin for:
Growth failure caused by growth hormone deficiency in children.
Replacement of pronounced growth hormone deficiency in adults.
Growth disturbance associated with Turner syndrome.
Growth disturbance associated with chronic renal insufficiency or chronic renal disease.
Short stature in children born small for gestational age who have not shown adequate catch-up growth.
Improving growth and body composition in genetically confirmed Prader–Willi syndrome with selected products.
Growth failure associated with Noonan syndrome with Norditropin.
How does somatropin work?
Somatropin activates growth-hormone receptors and increases insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It promotes growth at open bone growth plates and affects protein, fat, carbohydrate and fluid metabolism.
somatropin preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 4 mg, 5 mg/1.5 mL, 5.83 mg/mL, 8 mg/mL, 10 mg/1.5 mL, 15 mg/1.5 mL
How to take somatropin
Use somatropin exactly as demonstrated by the specialist team and follow instructions for the specific brand and device.
Inject beneath the skin and vary the injection site.
Use a new needle for each injection and dispose of it in a sharps container.
Do not share pens, needles, syringes or vials.
Do not use cloudy, discoloured or particulate solutions.
Mix powder presentations gently with their supplied solvent; do not shake vigorously.
Follow product-specific refrigeration, light-protection and in-use storage instructions.
somatropin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site redness, itching, pain or changes in fatty tissue
- Joint or muscle pain and stiffness
- Fluid-retention swelling, particularly in adults
- Tingling or numbness; carpal tunnel symptoms may occur in adults
- Headache
- Reduced insulin sensitivity or increased blood glucose
- Reduced thyroid function
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or recurrent headache with visual disturbance, nausea or vomiting, suggesting raised intracranial pressure
- Severe persistent abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Breathing difficulty, facial swelling or widespread hives suggesting a serious allergic reaction
- A new limp or hip or knee pain in a growing child
- New or worsening snoring, breathing obstruction or respiratory infection in a child with Prader–Willi syndrome
somatropin in pregnancy
Somatropin is not recommended during pregnancy because clinical evidence is limited. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or not using contraception should discuss treatment promptly with their endocrine specialist rather than stopping without advice.
somatropin while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether somatropin passes into breast milk, although absorption of intact protein by the infant is considered unlikely. Use while breastfeeding requires an individual specialist assessment.
somatropin interactions
Tell the specialist about all prescribed, non-prescribed and hormonal treatments. Important interactions include:
Glucocorticoids
They can reduce growth response, while somatropin can uncover adrenal insufficiency or alter glucocorticoid replacement requirements.
Insulin and other diabetes treatments
Somatropin can reduce insulin sensitivity, so glucose control and diabetes treatment may need specialist review.
Common questions about somatropin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is somatropin the same as human growth hormone?
Somatropin is human growth hormone made using recombinant DNA technology. It is designed to reproduce the biological actions of naturally produced growth hormone.
Why is somatropin given as an injection?
Growth hormone is a protein that would be digested if swallowed, so it is injected beneath the skin.
Can somatropin make someone taller after growth plates have closed?
No. It is contraindicated for promoting height once bone growth plates have closed.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.