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Prescribing Information

Here are a few of the many myths about stature, development, and growth hormone (GH) therapy—along with the facts you need to know about.

Myth: GH is "just like steroids"

Fact: GH is not a steroid.

Myth: GH is "unnatural"

Fact: GH is produced in the body, by the pituitary gland. GH therapies work in a similar way to the GH your body produces naturally.

Myth: GH is "bad for you"

Fact: The body needs GH. The normal effects of naturally occuring GH go beyond physical growth during childhood and puberty to include building and sustaining lean muscle mass, helping to reduce the amount of fat, and building strong bones. These effects appear to be important throughout life. When you take GH therapy, you may experience side effects which you should discuss with your doctor once a GH therapy has been chosen for you.

Myth: GH therapy is not covered by insurance

Fact: GH therapy is covered by many insurance plans. When you or your doctor's office calls Nutropin Access Solutions™, we will connect you with one of our dedicated case managers whose only job is to work with you to try to get the help you need to cover the cost of your medicine.

Myth: If you put your child on GH therapy, you risk sending a message that you're not happy with them they way they are

Fact: Certain medical conditions may warrant treatment with GH. The decision to test for and treat a deficiency is made by a team: your healthcare professional, parents, and the child.

Myth: Height is determined by genetic heritage, so if you're short that's the height you were meant to be

Fact: Your growth potential, which your doctor can calculate, does have a hereditary basis. And, while, you can't go beyond your growth potential—you may be able to reach it!

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WHO IS NUTROPIN FOR?

Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] and Nutropin AQ® [somatropin (rDNA origin) injection] are human growth hormone, available by prescription only.

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for children and teenagers with growth failure who:

  • Do not make enough growth hormone on their own
  • Have chronic renal insufficiency—a slow loss of kidney function—and have not had a transplant
  • Have Turner syndrome
  • Are not likely to grow to their potential adult height, as determined by a doctor, and whose bones are still able to grow

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for adults who:

  • Have growth hormone deficiency that started either in childhood or as an adult due to brain surgery, radiation therapy, trauma, or diseases of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus

Your doctor will test to see if growth hormone is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Nutropin and your safety:
Please read this important safety information carefully. Then, if you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

Nutropin is NOT for:

If any of these apply, talk to your doctor before you start taking Nutropin.

If you are about to start taking Nutropin, or are already taking it, be sure to tell the doctor who prescribed it:

What are the possible side effects of Nutropin?
You may experience discomfort, soreness, or redness where Nutropin is injected.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

Be sure to inject Nutropin at a different recommended place on your body each time. Your doctor or nurse should supervise the first injection and provide training and instruction.

Your doctor is your primary source of information about your treatment.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Nutropin and Nutropin AQ, available from your pharmacy and at www.nutropin.com, for more about Nutropin and safety.

Questions? Call the Nurse Hotline at 1-866-NUTROPIN (1-866-688-7674).

The content available from this website is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to Genentech Drug Safety/Adverse Events at 1-888-835-2555.

Nutropin and Nutropin AQ are registered trademarks; and NuSpin, growingopportunity, and Nutropin GPS are trademarks of Genentech Inc.

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Related Tools & Resources

Nutropin: Possible Side Effects

Always put your safety first: understand the possible side effects of Nutropin

Important Safety Information

WHO IS NUTROPIN FOR?

Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] and Nutropin AQ® [somatropin (rDNA origin) injection] are human growth hormone, available by prescription only.

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for children and teenagers with growth failure who:

  • Do not make enough growth hormone on their own
  • Have chronic renal insufficiency—a slow loss of kidney function—and have not had a transplant
  • Have Turner syndrome
  • Are not likely to grow to their potential adult height, as determined by a doctor, and whose bones are still able to grow

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for adults who:

  • Have growth hormone deficiency that started either in childhood or as an adult due to brain surgery, radiation therapy, trauma, or diseases of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus

Your doctor will test to see if growth hormone is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Nutropin and your safety:
Please read this important safety information carefully. Then, if you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

Nutropin is NOT for:

  • Children and teenagers whose bones have finished growing
  • Patients who have certain types of eye disease caused by diabetes
  • Patients who have active cancer or any brain tumors
  • Patients who are critically ill after open heart surgery or abdominal (stomach) surgery, are severely hurt, or have severe breathing problems
  • Children and teenagers who have Prader-Willi syndrome and are very overweight or have trouble breathing
  • Patients with a known sensitivity to benzyl alcohol, an ingredient in the liquid used to mix Nutropin Injection. Sterile water should be used when mixing Nutropin for newborns.

If any of these apply, talk to your doctor before you start taking Nutropin.

If you are about to start taking Nutropin, or are already taking it, be sure to tell the doctor who prescribed it:

  • About ALL of the medications you are taking, including supplements
  • If you have or develop a brain tumor
  • If you are given any new medication, especially glucocorticoid steroids like hydrocortisone or prednisone
  • If you are pregnant or if you become pregnant
  • About ANY other condition or illness you have or develop

What are the possible side effects of Nutropin?
You may experience discomfort, soreness, or redness where Nutropin is injected.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • Ongoing injection site discomfort
  • Curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
  • Joint pain
  • Puffy hands and/or feet (caused by fluid retention)
  • Changes in vision, a bad headache, or nausea with or without vomiting
  • Hip or knee pain
  • A need to limp when you walk
  • Pain in wrist (carpal tunnel)
  • Allergic reaction

Be sure to inject Nutropin at a different recommended place on your body each time. Your doctor or nurse should supervise the first injection and provide training and instruction.

Your doctor is your primary source of information about your treatment.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Nutropin and Nutropin AQ, available from your pharmacy and at www.nutropin.com, for more about Nutropin and safety.

Questions? Call the Nurse Hotline at 1-866-NUTROPIN (1-866-688-7674).

View indication and safety information

WHO IS NUTROPIN FOR?

Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] and Nutropin AQ® [somatropin (rDNA origin) injection] are human growth hormone, available by prescription only.

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for children and teenagers with growth failure who:

  • Do not make enough growth hormone on their own
  • Have chronic renal insufficiency—a slow loss of kidney function—and have not had a transplant
  • Have Turner syndrome
  • Are not likely to grow to their potential adult height, as determined by a doctor, and whose bones are still able to grow

Doctors prescribe Nutropin for adults who:

  • Have growth hormone deficiency that started either in childhood or as an adult due to brain surgery, radiation therapy, trauma, or diseases of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus

Your doctor will test to see if growth hormone is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Nutropin and your safety:
Please read this important safety information carefully. Then, if you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

Nutropin is NOT for:

  • Children and teenagers whose bones have finished growing
  • Patients who have certain types of eye disease caused by diabetes
  • Patients who have active cancer or any brain tumors
  • Patients who are critically ill after open heart surgery or abdominal (stomach) surgery, are severely hurt, or have severe breathing problems
  • Children and teenagers who have Prader-Willi syndrome and are very overweight or have trouble breathing
  • Patients with a known sensitivity to benzyl alcohol, an ingredient in the liquid used to mix Nutropin Injection. Sterile water should be used when mixing Nutropin for newborns.

If any of these apply, talk to your doctor before you start taking Nutropin.

If you are about to start taking Nutropin, or are already taking it, be sure to tell the doctor who prescribed it:

  • About ALL of the medications you are taking, including supplements
  • If you have or develop a brain tumor
  • If you are given any new medication, especially glucocorticoid steroids like hydrocortisone or prednisone
  • If you are pregnant or if you become pregnant
  • About ANY other condition or illness you have or develop

What are the possible side effects of Nutropin?
You may experience discomfort, soreness, or redness where Nutropin is injected.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • Ongoing injection site discomfort
  • Curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
  • Joint pain
  • Puffy hands and/or feet (caused by fluid retention)
  • Changes in vision, a bad headache, or nausea with or without vomiting
  • Hip or knee pain
  • A need to limp when you walk
  • Pain in wrist (carpal tunnel)
  • Allergic reaction

Be sure to inject Nutropin at a different recommended place on your body each time. Your doctor or nurse should supervise the first injection and provide training and instruction.

Your doctor is your primary source of information about your treatment.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Nutropin and Nutropin AQ, available from your pharmacy and at www.nutropin.com, for more about Nutropin and safety.

Questions? Call the Nurse Hotline at 1-866-NUTROPIN (1-866-688-7674).

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