Somatrem
Also known as: met-hGH, methionyl human growth hormone, Protropin, rDNA human growth hormone (somatrem), somatotropin (methionyl), Somatrem
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Summary
Somatrem is a recombinant human growth hormone with an additional N‑terminal arginine. It was approved for treatment of growth hormone deficiency and related conditions but has been withdrawn from most markets in favor of somatropin.
Mechanism of Action
Binds the growth hormone receptor, activating the JAK2‑STAT5 cascade and stimulating hepatic IGF‑1 synthesis, leading to anabolic and growth‑promoting effects.
Routes of Administration
Goals & Uses
- Growth hormone deficiency (adults)EndocrineHigh
- Increased lean body massBody CompositionModerate
- Reduction of body fatMetabolicModerate
- Chronic renal failure (pediatric)RenalModerate
- Growth hormone deficiency (children)EndocrineHigh
- Turner syndromeIndicationModerate
- Treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiencyEndocrinology / GrowthHigh
Contraindications
- Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
- Acute critical illnessCritical CareHigh
- Closed epiphysesSkeletalModerate
- Hypersensitivity to somatrem or excipientsAllergy/ImmunologyHigh
- Diabetic retinopathyOphthalmologyModerate
- Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity or respiratory impairmentGenetic SyndromeHigh
- Known hypersensitivity to somatrem or excipientsImmunologyModerate
Adverse Effects
- EdemaFluid BalanceUncommonSwelling from fluid retention
- Injection site reactionsLocalCommon
- Glucose intolerance/diabetes mellitusMetabolicUncommon
- Intracranial hypertensionNeurologicalRare
- Hyperglycemia / insulin resistanceMetabolic / EndocrineUncommon
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysisMusculoskeletalRare
- Antibody formation to somatremImmunologicalCommon
Drug Interactions
- Cytochrome P450-metabolized drugs (e.g., corticosteroids, sex steroids, anticonvulsants)Low
- InsulinModerateMay increase risk of low blood sugar
- GlucocorticoidsModerate
- PegvisomantHigh
- Insulin / antidiabetic agentsModerate
- Oral estrogenLow
Population Constraints
- Pediatric patientsAgeAbsolute
- Pregnant or lactating womenReproductiveAbsolute
- Patients with active proliferative diabetic retinopathyOphthalmologyRelative
- Patients with diabetes mellitusMetabolicRelative
- Pediatric patients with closed epiphysesGrowthRelative
- Patients with hypothyroidismEndocrineRelative
Regulatory Status
- European UnionUnapprovedNever marketed; somatropin used instead.
- United StatesWithdrawnApproved: Growth hormone deficiency (children), Growth hormone deficiency (adults), Turner syndromeApproval withdrawn in 2000s after somatropin became preferred.
- United KingdomUnapprovedNot available; somatropin is the licensed GH product.
FDA approved in 1985 as the first recombinant DNA-derived growth hormone; voluntarily withdrawn from the US market in 2004 by Genentech in favor of somatropin (Nutropin). Higher immunogenicity compared to native-sequence somatropin due to the additional methionine residue.
Evidence & Sources
No sources recorded yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Somatrem?
Somatrem is a recombinant human growth hormone with an additional N‑terminal arginine. It was approved for treatment of growth hormone deficiency and related conditions but has been withdrawn from most markets in favor of somatropin.
What is Somatrem used for?
Somatrem is educationally associated with: Growth hormone deficiency (adults), Increased lean body mass, Reduction of body fat, Chronic renal failure (pediatric), Growth hormone deficiency (children), Turner syndrome, Treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency. Educational only — not medical advice.
How is Somatrem administered?
Recorded routes of administration: Intramuscular, Subcutaneous.
What are the potential side effects of Somatrem?
Reported adverse effects include: Edema, Injection site reactions, Glucose intolerance/diabetes mellitus, Intracranial hypertension, Hyperglycemia / insulin resistance, Slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Antibody formation to somatrem. This list is not exhaustive — consult a qualified clinician.
Who should avoid Somatrem?
Recorded contraindications: Active malignancy, Acute critical illness, Closed epiphyses, Hypersensitivity to somatrem or excipients, Diabetic retinopathy, Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity or respiratory impairment, Known hypersensitivity to somatrem or excipients. Consult a qualified clinician before use.