Somatropin is a growth hormone used to treat growth disturbance, failure, or deficiency due to certain conditions (e.g. kidney problems, genetic disorder, small or too light at birth). It helps improve growth and body composition in children and adults with growth problems.
This medicine may also be used to treat weight loss and weakness for those with HIV infection or to treat short bowel syndrome (a condition wherein the body is unable to absorb enough food nutrients) for those who are receiving a special diet.
Somatropin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Somatropin is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the thigh, upper arm, buttocks or abdomen area). Your doctor or nurse may administer the injection for you.
If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of Somatropin, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not administer more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button).
Somatropin is available as a pre-filled pen, cartridge, or vial. Some products available in certain countries may be used differently. Make sure you know how to use the specific device you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have been given the pre-filled pen, follow these steps:
- Prepare the injection pen as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Attach the needle to the injection pen. Ensure that the needle is screwed on securely.
- Set the correct dose.
- Swab the injection site area with alcohol.
- Hold the injection pen with your thumb over the injection button.
- Inject the pen using the injection method as instructed by your doctor or nurse, then hold it until it stops.
- Continue to hold the injection button in that position while slowly counting to 5 to get a full dose.
- Withdraw the injection pen from your body.
- Remove the needle from the pen and dispose it according to your doctor or pharmacist's instructions. Do not throw away in household trash. Never store the injection pen with the needle attached.
- Use a new needle in every administration of Somatropin.
If you have been given the cartridge, follow these steps:
- Prepare or set up the injection as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Attach the needle to the cartridge. Ensure that the needle is screwed on securely.
- Set the appropriate dose prescribed by your doctor.
- Swab the injection site area with alcohol.
- Place your thumb on the injection button or activator knob.
- Push the needle into the skin using the injection method as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Hold the activator knob or the button down until it stops and continue to hold it in place for 5 seconds. Check the dose window to make sure you see a 0.00, this means that you have injected the complete dose.
- Withdraw the needle from your body.
- Remove the needle from the cartridge and dispose it according to your doctor or pharmacist's instructions. Do not throw away in household trash.
If you have been given the vial to be used with an injection syringe, follow these steps:
- Prepare the injection syringe as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Remove the prepared syringe and needle from the vial and hold the injection syringe with your thumb over the plunger.
- Swab the injection site area with alcohol.
- Pinch your skin and insert the needle using the injection method as instructed by your doctor or nurse.
- Gently press the plunger down until the syringe is empty.
- Slowly let go of the skin and gently pull the needle out of the skin. Do not recap the needle.
- Dispose your used needles and syringes according to your doctor or pharmacist's instructions. Do not throw away in household trash.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to this medicine.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to use your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Somatropin or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- active tumour (cancer)
- serious illness due to complications after an injury from an accident, open-heart surgery, stomach surgery, or severe breathing problems
- diabetic retinopathy (eye disease due to diabetes)
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not administer this medicine to children whose bone growth has already stopped (closed epiphyses), unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Some products may not be suitable for children with Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic disorder) who are severely overweight or has breathing problems or shallow breathing during sleep. The doctor will advise you on the treatment regimen suitable for your child.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes or at risk of diabetes e.g. family history of diabetes, obesity
- previous tumour
- thyroid disease
- scoliosis (a condition wherein there is an increase in sideways curvature of the spine)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Somatropin to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going for an operation, inform your doctor that you are using this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- An eye examination must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use and may be repeated during therapy.
- Routine tests (e.g. sugar levels, thyroid function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Regular monitoring of skin lesions, ear disorders, or signs of obstruction in the airway may be needed for some conditions being treated with this medicine.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Somatropin may cause any of the following side effects: flu symptoms, headache, swelling in the back of the throat, joint pain, muscle pain and stiffness, and pain at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- headaches with vision changes, nausea, vomiting
- increased thirst, extreme hunger, passing urine more often, tiredness, blurred vision, irritability, slow-healing sores
- swelling in the hands, feet, or legs
- numbness and tingling in the wrist or hand
- severe pain in the upper area of the stomach, tenderness when touching the stomach area, fever, fast heartbeat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- medicines used for hormone therapy e.g. oral estrogen
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Somatropin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Available products of Somatropin may vary with their storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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