Why do children with CRI need to take Nutropin therapy?
One reason that children with CRI may suffer from abnormal growth and development is related to natural growth hormone. In these children, natural growth hormone does not work as well as it does in those who are healthy. That's why Nutropin therapy is sometimes used to help children with CRI reach their full growth potential.What is the goal of Nutropin therapy in CRI?
The goal of Nutropin therapy for a child with CRI (up to the time of renal transplantation) is to offset the impact of chronic kidney disease on the growth process and to help the child achieve his or her full adult height potential.How long will my child have to continue Nutropin therapy?
Children with CRI should continue to receive Nutropin treatments up to the time of renal transplantation, subject to their healthcare provider's medical judgment. With time, Nutropin allows many children with CRI to grow more normally.Will my child still have to continue taking other kidney medications, while receiving Nutropin therapy?
Yes, children with CRI must continue taking their other kidney medications as prescribed by their healthcare provider in addition to receiving Nutropin therapy. Nutropin merely treats one of the problems of CRI rather than the disease itself. To help the Nutropin therapy work as well as possible, children with CRI must also eat a healthy diet.Does Nutropin therapy have to be given at any special time of day?
Your healthcare provider will look at your child's overall treatment plan and determine the best time of day to give your child Nutropin treatment. Many children with CRI are on dialysis to help keep them healthy. Growth hormone is broken down by the kidneys, so the type of dialysis the child receives may affect when the Nutropin injection should be given.
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.
