Available online
The following organizations and programs listed here stand ready to provide patients, families, and healthcare providers with information about growth-related disorders and diseases.
Clicking on any of the links below will take you away from the Nutropin Growth Hormone Web site. These links lead to external Web sites not created, managed, or maintained by Genentech. Genentech is not responsible for, and does not necessarily endorse, the opinions or products presented on these Web sites.The MAGIC Foundation
www.magicfoundation.orgThe MAGIC Foundation provides support and education services for pediatric and adult patients with chronic and/or critical disorders, syndromes, and diseases related to growth and/or growth hormone deficiency. Founded in 1989 as a nonprofit organization to help families affected by growth disorders, MAGIC has expanded its original charter to assist individuals with adult growth hormone deficiency. Its new adult division offers a separate newsletter as well as other services focused on adult issues.
Human Growth Foundation
www.hgfound.orgThe Human Growth Foundation (HGF) is devoted to providing education, research, and advocacy for children and adults with growth hormone-related disorders and for their families. HGF has chapters in 30 cities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It consists of healthcare providers, patients, family members, and friends of those affected by GH deficiency. Its goals include support of research into normal and abnormal growth, parent education and service, education of healthcare providers and the public, and advocacy on behalf of affected patients and their families.
The Endocrine Society
www.endo-society.orgThe 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.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
www.aace.comAACE provides clinical endocrinology referrals for nearly 3,000 healthcare providers nationally and internationally.
Pediatric Endocrine Nursing Society (PENS)
www.pens.orgPENS is an international voluntary non-profit specialty nursing organization founded in 1986. PENS members have the opportunity to share their expertise, increase their knowledge by networking with colleagues, and enhance personal and provider development in the field of pediatric endocrinology.
Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES)
www.lwpes.orgThe mission of LWPES is to promote the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge of endocrine and metabolic disorders from conception through adolescence.
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.
