Treatment of AGHD
AGHD may be treated with injections of growth hormone to improve fat distribution and body composition, and may increase spine bone mineral density in certain patients.
Genentech products approved for the treatment of AGHD
Nutropin AQ and Nutropin are indicated for replacement of endogenous growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency who meet either of the following two criteria:- Adult Onset: Patients who have growth hormone 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 growth hormone deficient during childhood as a result of congenital, genetic, acquired, or idiopathic causes.
In general, confirmation of the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency in both groups usually requires an appropriate growth hormone stimulation test. However, confirmatory growth hormone stimulation testing may not be required in patients with congenital/genetic growth hormone deficiency or multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies due to organic disease.
To learn more, click on the names of the products below—and be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Nutropin AQ Pen 10 for use with Nutropin AQ Pen 10 Cartridge: The latest innovation from Genentech's growth hormone product line, the Nutropin AQ Pen 10, offers simple delivery of Nutropin AQ, convenient transport, and enhanced safety features. Nutropin AQ Pen 10 is available in the U.S. by prescription only.
Nutropin AQ: A liquid GH that is premixed and ready for immediate injection. Unlike lyophilized (powdered) forms of GH, no mixing is necessary. Nutropin AQ makes GH therapy easier by eliminating about half the steps required to prepare lyophilized GH.
Nutropin: A lyophilized powder formulation that is reconstituted, or mixed, with Bacteriostatic water prior to an injection.
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?
As with any injection 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.
