What Is Genotropin® Used For?

Genotropin® is the prescription human growth hormone made by Pfizer. It is a recombinant human growth hormone indicated for the treatment of children with growth failure due to GHD, Prader-Willi syndrome, Small for Gestational Age, Turner syndrome, and Idiopathic Short Stature, and for adults with either adult onset or a continuance of childhood onset GHD.

Dosage Forms and Strengths Available

Genotropin® is available for use with a variety of proprietary injectable devices made by the manufacturer or with standard syringes. The injectable devices include the Genotropin® Multiuse Pen, and the Genotropin MiniQuick® pen. The Genotropin® Multiuse Pen features:

Digital display so you can easily see your selected dose
The medicine mixes inside the pen—no vials to mix
The dose can be dialed back if needed without wasting any medicine
An optional needle guard hides the needle and keeps the pen stable while injecting
Pen caps and covers can be customized with colors and designs

The Genotropin MiniQuick® pen is a preservative-free, pre-measured disposable pen featuring:

No dose setting—each MiniQuick contains one, pre-measured dose
No refrigeration needed
Packaged in a 7-day supply

The above devices can be used to deliver 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.4 mg, 1.6 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.0 mg doses of Genotropin®.

The manufacturer also provides the Genotropin Mixer® which is a reusable device for use with 5-mg or 12-mg Genotropin® cartridges and standard syringes.

Clinical trails have demonstrated that Genotropin® is therapeutically equivalent to the human growth hormone produced by the pituitary origin. In children with GHD, Prader-Willi syndrome, or other conditions resulting in insufficient growth, Genotropin® stimulates linear growth. In adults with GHD, treatment with Genotropin® results in reduced fat mass, increased lean body mass, metabolic alterations that include beneficial changes in lipid metabolism, and normalization of IGF-I concentrations.

In addition to tissue growth, other documented benefits of Genotropin® include:

Skeletal Growth
Cell Growth
Organ Growth
Increased protein metabolism
Improved carbohydrate metabolism
Improved Lipid Metabolism
Improved Mineral Metabolism – particularly resulting in an increase in bodily potassium and phosphorus levels
Improved tissue metabolism – particularly an increase in collagen production

More common – some of the more common side effects of Genotropin® include: side injection site reactions, such as pain, redness/swelling, inflammation, bleeding, scarring, lumps, or rash. Other common side effects could be fat loss, headache, blood in the urine, low thyroid activity, and mildly increased blood sugar.

Less common – some of the potentially severe, though less common side effects of Genotropin® include:

Bone or skeletal pain
Burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger
Chest pain
Depressed mood
Dry skin and hair
Feeling cold
Hair loss
Hoarseness or husky voice
Slowed heartbeat
Swelling of the ankles

See your medication’s insert for a complete list of potential side-effects.

Your prescription for Genotropin® will be tailored to best meet your particular goals and lifestyle. You will be carefully monitored over the course of your treatment with Genotropin®, so any chance of side effects should be kept to a minimum. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of these or other side effects while taking Genotropin®.

Overdose

Overdose of Genotropin® can cause:

Anxiety
Blurred vision
Cold sweats
Depression
Extreme weakness
Increase in hands and feet size
Increased hunger
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Pain in the arms or legs
Seizures

As with any medication, in case of accidental overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Keep Genotropin® and all prescription medications out of the reach of children.

According to its manufacturer, Genotropin®:

Should not be used to increase height in children after the growth plates have closed.
Should not be used in patients with diabetes who have certain types of diabetic retinopathy (eye problems).
Should not be used in patients who have been recently diagnosed with cancer, with cancer, or who are being treated for cancer.
Should not be used in patients who are critically ill because of surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure.
Should not be used in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are very overweight or have severe breathing problems.
Should not be used by patients who have had an allergy or bad reaction to somatropin or any of the other ingredients in Genotropin®. In the event of an allergic reaction, seek prompt medical attention.

Some patients have developed diabetes mellitus while taking Genotropin®. Dosage of diabetes medicines may need to be adjusted during growth hormone treatment.

Before accepting a prescription for Genotropin®, tell your doctor if you have a history of:

Adrenal gland problems
Eye problems (e.g., diabetic retinopathy)
Recent major surgery/injury
Severe breathing problems (acute respiratory failure)
Diabetes or family history of diabetes
Obesity
Kidney disease
Tumors (cancer, especially of the head/neck)
Thyroid problems
Back problems (scoliosis)

If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Check your products insert for a complete list of warnings, side-effects and contraindications of Genotropin®.

How to Use

Genotropin® is injected into a muscle or under the skin. You will be shown exactly how to administer your Genotropin® injections. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor
Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended
Follow the directions on your prescription label
Use a different place on your body each time you give the injection
Do not inject this medicine into skin or muscle that is red, sore, infected, or injured

The manufacturer of Genotropin® offers several injection devices to best meet your individual needs. Complete instructions for the use of each delivery device may accessed here.

The manufacturer also provides an instructional video on how to use the Genotropin® MiniQuick Pen.

Dosage*

The daily dosage of Genotropin® varies by your age, weight and the condition it is being prescribed for. The weekly dose should be divided into 6 or 7 subcutaneous injections. According to the Prescribing Information provided by the National Institutes for Health, Genotropin® should be administered subcutaneously as follows:

Pediatric GHD: 0.16 to 0.24 mg/kg/week
Prader-Willi Syndrome: 0.24 mg/kg/week
Small for Gestational Age: Up to 0.48 mg/kg/week
Turner Syndrome: 0.33 mg/kg/week
Idiopathic Short Stature: up to 0.47 mg/kg/week
Adult GHD: Either a non-weight based or a weight based dosing regimen may be followed, with doses adjusted based on treatment response and IGF-I concentrations
Non-weight based dosing: A starting dose of approximately 0.2mg/day (range, 0.15-0.30 mg/day) may be used without consideration of body weight, and increased gradually every 1-2 months by increments of approximately 0.1-0.2 mg/day.
Weight based dosing: The recommended initial dose is not more than 0.04 mg/kg/week; the dose may be increased as tolerated to not more than 0.08 mg/kg/week at 4–8 week intervals.
Genotropin® cartridges are color-coded to correspond to a specific delivery device
Injection sites should always be rotated to avoid lipoatrophy

*Dosing information is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as any kind of instructions for use. Consult your physician or pharmacist for guidance regarding your particular dose of Genotropin®

Sources:
https://www.genotropin.com/what-is-genotropin
https://www.drugs.com/pro/genotropin.html
https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/genotropin/clinical-pharmacology

I started using Genotropin for my growth hormone deficiency and was amazed by the results. Not only did it help reduce my fat mass significantly, but I also noticed an increase in lean body mass. Additionally, it positively altered my metabolism, making me feel more energetic and healthier overall. It's been a game-changer in managing my condition and improving my quality of life

Harper

Verified