somatropin: prescribing and clinical use
Focused clinical detail for use alongside current product information, local policy and patient-specific assessment.
somatropin: clinical details
Prescribing considerations
- Confirm the licensed indication and diagnosis using appropriate endocrine assessment.
- Initiate and supervise through an experienced paediatric or adult endocrine service.
- Prescribe biological products by brand and record product name and batch number for traceability.
- Assess tumour history, glucose metabolism, thyroid and adrenal function, concurrent hormone replacement and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure.
- Before treating Prader–Willi syndrome, assess obesity, upper-airway obstruction, sleep apnoea and respiratory infection.
Contraindications and cautions
- Hypersensitivity to somatropin or a formulation excipient.
- Evidence of active tumour; intracranial tumours must be inactive and antitumour treatment completed.
- Use for growth promotion after epiphyseal closure.
- Acute critical illness following major surgery, multiple trauma, acute respiratory failure or similar conditions.
- Zomacton solvent contains benzyl alcohol and must not be used in premature babies or neonates.
Monitoring
- Clinical response, growth and pubertal development where applicable, alongside serum IGF-1.
- Glucose tolerance and diabetes control.
- Thyroid function and adequacy of other pituitary hormone replacement, particularly glucocorticoids.
- Headache, visual symptoms, nausea or vomiting; arrange fundoscopy when intracranial hypertension is suspected.
- Tumour recurrence or progression in patients with previous intracranial lesions or malignancy.
- Respiratory status, snoring and suspected sleep apnoea in Prader–Willi syndrome.
- Injection sites, adherence and correct device technique.
Clinical pharmacology
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone, a 191-amino-acid anabolic peptide. Receptor activation promotes IGF-1 production, skeletal and somatic growth, and metabolic effects on protein, fat and carbohydrate handling.
Formulation and product differences
- Omnitrope is a ready-to-use cartridge intended for the matching SurePal device.
- Norditropin FlexPro is supplied as a clear solution in disposable pre-filled pens.
- Genotropin is a powder-and-solvent two-chamber cartridge used with its matching colour-coded device; it contains metacresol.
- Zomacton is a vial of powder reconstituted only with the supplied solvent; its solvent contains benzyl alcohol.
- Devices, preservatives, preparation, storage and in-use stability differ, so patients must be trained for the exact prescribed product.
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
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.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.