Saizen Drug Interactions

Concomitant corticosteroid therapy may inhibit the response to Saizen.
Somatropin has been reported to induce a modest reduction of serum cortisol levels in GH deficient patients receiving adrenal substitution treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor serum cortisol levels in patients on corticosteroid replacement therapy in whom Somatropin therapy is started and adjust the dose of corticosteroids if necessary.
Growth hormone decreases the conversion of cortisone to cortisol and may unmask previously undiscovered central hypoadrenalism or render low glucocorticoid replacement doses ineffective.
In women on oral oestrogen replacement, a higher dose of growth hormone may be required to achieve the treatment goal.
Published in vitro data indicate that growth hormone may be an inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4. The clinical significance of this observation is unknown. However, when Somatropin is administered in combination with drugs known to be metabolised by CYP P450 3A4 hepatic enzymes, it is advisable to monitor the clinical effectiveness of such drugs.