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In this Article

• What is somatropin (Nutropin)?
• 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using somatropin?

Before you receive somatropin, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a growth hormone medicine, or to drug preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, metacresol or glycerin.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to somatropin, or if you have:

• diabetic retinopathy (a serious eye condition caused by diabetes);
• cancer; or
• Prader-Willi syndrome and are also overweight or have sleep apnea or severe respiratory (lung) problems.

You should also not use somatropin if you have a serious medical condition after having:

• open heart surgery or stomach surgery;
• trauma or other medical emergency; or
• breathing problems (such as lung failure).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using somatropin, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• diabetes;
• scoliosis;
• high blood pressure (hypertension);
• a pancreas disorder;
• a history of cancer;
• carpal tunnel syndrome;
• underactive thyroid; or
• a brain tumor or lesion.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether somatropin is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether somatropin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use somatropin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use somatropin?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Your dose and brand of somatropin, and how often you give it will depend on what you are being treated for. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Somatropin is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.

Your doctor or nurse will show you several areas on your body where you can inject somatropin. Use a different injection place each time you give yourself the shot. Do not inject this medicine into skin or muscle that is red, sore, infected, or injured.

Do not shake the medication vial (bottle). Vigorous shaking can ruin the medicine. When mixing somatropin with a diluent (liquid), use a gentle swirling motion. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or is cloudy. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harm, your blood and growth progress will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your eyes may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you are being treated for short bowel syndrome, follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor to help control your condition. Somatropin is not a cure for short bowel syndrome.

If you use a form of somatropin that comes in a cartridge for use with an injection pen, use only the pen injection system provided with the somatropin brand you use.

How you store this medicine will depend on what brand you are using and what diluent you are mixing somatropin with. After mixing somatropin, you may need to use it right away or you may be able to store it for later use. Read and carefully follow the instructions provided with your medicine about proper storage of somatropin before and after it has been mixed. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about proper storage of your medication.

Throw away any somatropin left over after the expiration date on the label has passed.