Short-Term

Acute overdosage could lead initially to hypoglycemia and subsequently to hyperglycemia.

Long-Term

Long-term overdosage could result in signs and symptoms of acromegaly consistent with the known effects of excess growth hormone.

Acute Critical Illness

Growth hormone therapy should not be initiated in patients with acute critical illness due to complications following open heart or abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma or acute respiratory failure. Two placebo-controlled clinical trials in non-growth hormone deficient adult patients (n=522) with these conditions revealed a significant increase in mortality (41.9% vs. 19.3%) among somatropin-treated patients (doses 5.3-8 mg/day) compared to those receiving placebo [see WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS].

Active Malignancy

In general, somatropin is contraindicated in the presence of active malignancy. Any preexisting malignancy should be inactive and its treatment complete prior to instituting therapy with somatropin. Somatropin should be discontinued if there is evidence of recurrent activity.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Somatropin is contraindicated in patients with active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Hypersensitivity

Serostim® is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to somatropin or diluent.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/16/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.