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Brand Names: Genotropin, Genotropin Miniquick, Humatrope, Norditropin, Norditropin Cartridge, Norditropin Nordiflex Pen, Nutropin, Nutropin AQ, Omnitrope, Saizen, Serostim, Tev-tropin, Zorbtive

Generic Name: somatropin (Pronunciation: soe ma TROE pin)

• What is somatropin (Humatrope)?
• What are the possible side effects of somatropin?
• What is the most important information I should know about somatropin?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using somatropin?
• How should I use somatropin?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while using somatropin?
• What other drugs will affect somatropin?
• Where can I get more information?

What is somatropin (Humatrope)?

Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone. Human growth hormone is important in the body for the growth of bones and muscles.

Somatropin is used to treat growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone, and in those with chronic kidney failure, Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, short stature at birth with no catch-up growth, and other causes. Somatropin is also used to prevent severe weight loss in people with AIDS, or to treat short bowel syndrome.

Somatropin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of somatropin?

If you have Prader-Willi syndrome, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring. Rare cases of serious breathing problems have occurred in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who use somatropin.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sudden and severe pain or tenderness in your upper stomach;
• nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes;
• increased thirst and urination;
• sudden and severe pain behind your eyes, vision changes;
• swelling in your head, face, hands, or feet; or
• numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• redness, soreness, swelling, skin rash, itching, pain, or bruising where the medicine was injected;
• breast swelling;
• joint pain, swelling, or stiffness; or
• mild nausea, stomach pain, gas.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about somatropin?

Before you receive somatropin, tell your doctor about all your past and present medical conditions, especially allergies, trauma, surgery, diabetes, cancer, breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, scoliosis, high blood pressure, pancreas disorder, underactive thyroid, or a brain tumor.

Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially steroids or diabetes medications. Your dosages of these medicines may need to be changed when you start using somatropin. Do not stop using a steroid suddenly or change any of your medication doses without your doctor's advice.

If you have Prader-Willi syndrome and are using somatropin, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring.

Call your doctor at once if you have sudden and severe pain or tenderness in your upper stomach, with nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. You should also call your doctor promptly if you have vision changes and sudden, severe pain behind your eyes.