Somatotropin
Also known as: Genotropin, HGH, Human Growth Hormone, Humatrope, Norditropin, rhGH, Saizen, Somatropin
Source Somatotropin at Peptiology
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Summary
Recombinant human somatotropin (growth hormone) restores normal growth in GH‑deficient children and improves body composition in adults with GH deficiency.
Mechanism of Action
Binds growth hormone receptor (GHR) activating JAK2-STAT5 signaling, stimulating hepatic IGF‑1 production and direct anabolic effects on bone and muscle.
Routes of Administration
Goals & Uses
- Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (adult)Endocrinology / MetabolismHigh
- HIV‑associated wastingIndicationModerate
- Anti-aging / performance enhancementOff Label / IllicitLow
- Growth hormone deficiency (adult)IndicationHigh
- Short bowel syndromeGastroenterologyModerate
- Prader‑Willi syndromeIndicationModerate
- Short stature associated with Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or SGAPediatric EndocrinologyHigh
- HIV-associated wasting / cachexiaInfectious Disease / MetabolismHigh
- Turner syndromeIndicationModerate
- Chronic kidney disease (pediatric)IndicationModerate
- Growth hormone deficiency (pediatric)IndicationHigh
- Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (pediatric)Endocrinology / PediatricsHigh
Contraindications
- Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
- Closed epiphyses (for growth promotion indication)Pediatric / SkeletalModerate
- AcromegalyEndocrineHigh
- Acute critical illness (post-surgery, trauma, respiratory failure)Critical CareHigh
- PregnancyPopulationModeratePotential fetal risk or insufficient safety data
- Diabetic retinopathyOphthalmologyModerate
- Uncontrolled Diabetes MellitusMetabolic / EndocrineModerate
- Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathyOphthalmologyHigh
- Severe acute critical illnessCritical CareModerate
- Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity or respiratory impairmentGenetic SyndromeHigh
- Hypersensitivity to somatropin or excipientsAllergy / ImmunologyHigh
Adverse Effects
- Joint painMusculoskeletalCommonPain in one or more joints
- EdemaFluid BalanceCommonSwelling from fluid retention
- Insulin resistance / hyperglycemiaMetabolicUncommon
- Fluid retention / peripheral edemaCardiovascularCommon
- Injection site reactionsLocalCommon
- Carpal tunnel syndromeMusculoskeletalUncommon
- HeadacheNeurologicCommonPain in the head or upper neck
- Intracranial hypertensionNeurologicalRare
- Hyperglycemia / insulin resistanceMetabolic / EndocrineUncommon
- Intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri)NeurologicalRare
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysisMusculoskeletalRare
- Arthralgia and myalgiaMusculoskeletalCommon
Drug Interactions
- Insulin and oral antidiabetic agentsModerate
- InsulinModerateMay increase risk of low blood sugar
- GlucocorticoidsModerate
- Thyroid hormonesModerate
- Cytochrome P450-metabolized drugs (e.g., cyclosporine, sex steroids, anticonvulsants)Low
- Estrogen (oral)Moderate
- Cytochrome P450 inducersLow
- Oral estrogenModerate
- somatostatin analogsLow
Population Constraints
- Patients with active infectionInfectiousRelative
- PregnancyReproductive SafetyRelative
- Elderly (>65 years)AgeRelative
- History of malignancyOncologyRelative
- Diabetes mellitusMetabolicRelative
- Adults with GH deficiencyAdultRelative
- Pregnant or lactating womenReproductiveRelative
- Patients with severe renal impairmentOrgan ImpairmentRelative
- NeonatesPediatricRelative
- Children with open epiphysesPediatricAbsolute
- Hypothyroidism (untreated)EndocrineRelative
Regulatory Status
- European UnionApprovedApproved: Growth hormone deficiency (pediatric), Growth hormone deficiency (adult), Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Chronic kidney diseaseEMA approval for multiple recombinant GH formulations.
- United StatesApprovedApproved: Growth hormone deficiency (pediatric), Growth hormone deficiency (adult), Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Chronic kidney disease (pediatric), HIV-associated wastingFDA approved recombinant hGH products (e.g., Genotropin, Norditropin).
- United KingdomApprovedApproved: Growth hormone deficiency (pediatric), Growth hormone deficiency (adult), Turner syndromeMHRA-approved GH products.
FDA‑approved for pediatric growth failure, adult GH deficiency, Turner syndrome, Prader‑Willi syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and HIV‑associated wasting.
Evidence & Sources
No sources recorded yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Somatotropin?
Recombinant human somatotropin (growth hormone) restores normal growth in GH‑deficient children and improves body composition in adults with GH deficiency.
What is Somatotropin used for?
Somatotropin is educationally associated with: Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (adult), HIV‑associated wasting, Anti-aging / performance enhancement, Growth hormone deficiency (adult), Short bowel syndrome, Prader‑Willi syndrome, Short stature associated with Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or SGA, HIV-associated wasting / cachexia, Turner syndrome, Chronic kidney disease (pediatric), Growth hormone deficiency (pediatric), Treatment of growth hormone deficiency (pediatric). Educational only — not medical advice.
How is Somatotropin administered?
Recorded routes of administration: Intramuscular, Intravenous, Subcutaneous.
What are the potential side effects of Somatotropin?
Reported adverse effects include: Joint pain, Edema, Insulin resistance / hyperglycemia, Fluid retention / peripheral edema, Injection site reactions, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Headache, Intracranial hypertension, Hyperglycemia / insulin resistance, Intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Arthralgia and myalgia. This list is not exhaustive — consult a qualified clinician.
Who should avoid Somatotropin?
Recorded contraindications: Active malignancy, Closed epiphyses (for growth promotion indication), Acromegaly, Acute critical illness (post-surgery, trauma, respiratory failure), Pregnancy, Diabetic retinopathy, Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, Severe acute critical illness, Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity or respiratory impairment, Hypersensitivity to somatropin or excipients. Consult a qualified clinician before use.