What you should know about adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD)
Growth hormone (often referred to as hGH, or simply GH) doesn't just contribute to physical growth in children. Adults need growth hormone, too. In adults, it is essential to maintain healthy body composition and metabolism. When an adult's body is unable to produce enough growth hormone, he or she is said to have adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD).
The healthy body continues to produce growth hormone even after growth has stopped. Medical research indicates that adults need adequate levels of this hormone to maintain healthy body composition and metabolism. Growth hormone plays an important role in maintaining a normal ratio of body fat to lean mass, "bad" to "good" cholesterol levels, and proper bone mineral density.
AGHD occurs when the pituitary gland (a gland about the size of a pea, located at the base of the brain) does not secrete enough growth hormone. The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it controls many different kinds of hormones. If the pituitary gland is missing or does not function correctly, it may be necessary to replace some or all of the hormones that the gland cannot provide; one of which is growth hormone. In adult patients, pituitary disease occurs as a result of pituitary tumors, pituitary surgery, radiation therapy, or head injury.
Growth hormone therapy is indicated to treat adult growth hormone deficiency and should not be used for "anti-aging" purposes or athletic enhancement.
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
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 cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, or betamethasone
- 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 (carpel 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, also available from your pharmacy.
