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HCP Resources
Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWEPS)
The LWPES promotes the research and awareness of endocrine and metabolic disorders from conception through adolescence. The society also offers a wealth of resources for both patients and healthcare professionals, including links to Internet sites and newsgroups.
Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society (PENS)
PENS is committed to the advancement of the art and science of pediatric endocrinology nursing. The society seeks to establish and continue the development of standards of practice. They also promote the enhancement of nursing research and clinical expertise. PENS members have the opportunity to share their expertise, increase their knowledge by networking with colleagues, and enhance personal and professional development in the field of pediatric endocrinology.
The Endocrine Society
The Endocrine Society is dedicated to promoting excellence in research, education, and clinical practice in the field of endocrinology. Founded in 1916, the society is internationally known as the leading source of state-of-the-art research and clinical advancements in endocrinology and metabolism.
The Endocrine Nurses Society
The Endocrine Nurses Society, a professional organization for endocrine nurses, was founded to promote excellence in the clinical care of patients through the advancement of the science and art of endocrine nursing. The society facilitates communication among endocrine nurses, supports professional development, and enhances interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care and research. In addition to providing educational forums on health topics related to endocrine disorders, the society supports nursing research related to the care of patients with endocrine disorders.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
AACE provides clinical endocrinology referrals to nearly 3,000 physicians nationally and internationally.
The Human Growth Foundation (HGF)—a nonprofit organization of families affected by growth-related disorders.
The HGF supports the research and public awareness of normal and abnormal growth, parent education and service, education of healthcare professionals, and advocacy on behalf of affected children and families. Local chapter addresses can be obtained by contacting the Foundation directly through the HGF website.
The Magic Foundation for Children’s Growth—educational support for families of children with growth-related disorders.
The Magic Foundation offers information on growth-related disorders through a number of educational programs, including a quarterly newsletter, educational brochures and videos, national networking, and an annual national convention.
The Hormone Foundation—a public education affiliate of the Endocrine Society that provides information on hormone disorders that affect adults and children.
The foundation works directly with the society and its experts in the field of endocrinology, to make the science behind endocrine disorders more understandable to patients and to raise public awareness about emerging endocrine disorders. The foundation has reached more than 200 million people with important health information through its website, free educational materials, public forums, healthcare professional referral service, presence at medical meetings, and media education campaigns.
The Turner Syndrome Society of the United States (TSSUS)
With its 38 worldwide affiliate chapters, the TSSUS creates awareness, promotes research, and provides support for people touched by TS. Currently, the TSSUS offers a nationally distributed quarterly publication called The Turner Syndrome Journal, and has the only programs specifically targeted to benefit women and girls with TS. Local organizations offer support groups, social activities, education forums, and public awareness. The Society also works with medical and healthcare providers to better understand TS through continued research and has conducted multiple international annual conferences with attendees representing 20 countries.
INDICATIONS
Pediatric Patients
Nutropin AQ® [somatropin (rDNA origin) injection] and Nutropin [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] are indicated for the long-term treatment of growth failure due to a lack of adequate endogenous GH secretion.
Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are also indicated for the treatment of growth failure associated with chronic renal insufficiency up to the time of renal transplantation. Nutropin AQ and Nutropin therapy should be used in conjunction with optimal management of chronic renal insufficiency.
Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are also indicated for the long-term treatment of short stature associated with Turner syndrome.
Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are also indicated for the long-term treatment of idiopathic short stature, also called non-growth hormone deficient short stature, defined by height SDS ≤-2.25, and associated with growth rates unlikely to permit attainment of adult height in the normal range, in pediatric patients whose epiphyses are not closed and for whom diagnostic evaluation excludes other causes associated with short stature that should be observed or treated by other means.
Adult Patients
Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are indicated for replacement of endogenous GH in adults with GH deficiency who meet either of the following two criteria:
- Adult-Onset: Patients who have GH deficiency, either alone or associated with multiple hormone deficiencies (hypopituitarism), as a result of pituitary disease, hypothalamic disease, surgery, radiation therapy, or trauma; or
- Childhood-Onset: Patients who were GH deficient during childhood as a result of congenital, genetic, acquired, or idiopathic causes.
In general, confirmation of the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency in both groups usually requires an appropriate GH stimulation test. However, confirmatory GH stimulation testing may not be required in patients with congenital/genetic GH deficiency or multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies due to organic disease.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
GROWTH HORMONE (GH) SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PATIENTS WITH:
- Closed epiphyses for pediatric growth promotion
- Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Active malignancy
- Acute critical illness due to complications following open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, or multiple accidental trauma, or those with acute respiratory failure
- Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have severe respiratory impairment. Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are not indicated in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who do not also have a diagnosis of GH deficiency
- Known sensitivity to benzyl alcohol when using Nutropin reconstituted with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (benzyl alcohol preserved). For use in newborns, see WARNINGS in full Prescribing Information
Additional Safety Information
- Nutropin AQ and Nutropin should be prescribed by physicians experienced in the diagnosis and management of patients with pediatric or adult GH deficiency, Turner syndrome (TS), or chronic renal insufficiency (CRI).
- Patients should be monitored for signs of glucose intolerance. Patients taking antihyperglycemic agents may require dose adjustment when GH therapy is instituted.
- Patients with preexisting tumors or growth hormone deficiency secondary to an intracranial lesion should be examined routinely for progression or recurrence of the underlying disease process.
- Intracranial hypertension (IH) with papilledema, visual changes, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting has been reported in a small number of patients treated with GH products.
- In patients with hypopituitarism (multiple hormone deficiencies), standard hormonal replacement therapy should be monitored closely when GH therapy is administered.
- Periodic thyroid function tests and thyroid replacement therapy should be initiated or appropriately adjusted when indicated.
- Injection site discomfort has been reported.
- Rotate injection site to avoid tissue atrophy that may result from subcutaneous administration of GH at the same site over a long period of time.
- As with any protein, local or systemic allergic reactions may occur.
Pediatric Patients
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis may occur more frequently in patients with endocrine disorders or in patients undergoing rapid growth.
- Children with growth failure secondary to CRI should be examined periodically for evidence of progression of renal osteodystrophy.
- Progression of scoliosis can occur in patients who experience rapid growth. Patients with a history of scoliosis who are treated with GH should be monitored for progression of scoliosis.
Adult Patients
- GH therapy may cause fluid retention.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, arthralgia, and other joint disorders have been reported in GH-treated patients.
Drug Interactions
- Patients on GH therapy, with previously undiagnosed central (secondary) hypoadrenalism, may require glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Patients already on glucocorticoid replacement therapy for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses.
- Glucocorticoid replacement therapy should be carefully adjusted in children with concomitant GH and glucocorticoid deficiency to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth.
- Careful monitoring is advisable when GH is given in any combination with agents metabolized by CP450 liver enzymes.
- In women on oral estrogen replacement, a larger dose of somatropin may be required to achieve the defined treatment goal.
Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.
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.
