Description

Why is this medication prescribed?
Somatropin injection is used to replace growth hormone (a natural hormone produced by your body) in adults and children with growth hormone deficiency. Somatropin injection is also used to increase growth in children with certain conditions that affect normal growth and development. Somatropin injection (Serostim) is used to increase body weight and physical endurance in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have HIV-associated wasting syndrome. Somatropin injection (Zorbtive) is used to treat short bowel syndrome in adults who are receiving additional nutrition or fluids from intravenous (IV) therapy. Somatropin is a human growth hormone (hGH) analog. It works by replacing growth hormones that are normally produced in the body, which may result in increased growth, body weight, and improved absorption of nutrients and fluids from the intestines.

How should this medicine be used?
Somatropin injection comes as a solution (liquid) in prefilled dosing pens and cartridges and also as a powder in vials and cartridges to be mixed with liquid to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin). When somatropin injection is given to replace growth hormone in adults, it is usually given once a day. When somatropin injection to replace growth hormone or increase growth in children, it is usually given once daily on 3 to 7 days each week. When somatropin injection (Serostim) is given to increase body weight and physical endurance in patients with HIV-associated wasting syndrome, it is usually given once daily or once every other day. When somatropin injection (Zorbtive) is given to treat short bowel syndrome, it is usually given once daily for 4 weeks. Use somatropin injection at around the same time on each scheduled day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use somatropin injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of somatropin and may gradually increase your dose.

You may receive your first dose of somatropin injection in your doctor’s office or your doctor may allow you or a caregiver to perform the injections at home. Before you use somatropin injection for the first time, you or the person who will be giving the injections should read the manufacturer’s information for the patient that comes with it. These instructions describe how to inject a dose of somatropin. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how or where to inject the medication or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after you inject the medication.

Continue to use somatropin injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using somatropin injection without talking to your doctor.

Always look at somatropin solution before injecting it. Check that the expiration date has not passed and that the liquid is clear and colorless. The liquid should not contain visible particles. Do not use if it is expired or if the liquid is cloudy or contains particles.

Do not reuse or share syringes, needles, injection pens, or vials of medication. Dispose of used syringes, needles, injection pens, and vials in a puncture resistant container that is out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.