Formulary
Somatropin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Somatropin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone.
Drug action
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone.
Indications and dose
**Gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome)**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): 1.4 mg/m 2 daily, alternatively 45-50 micrograms/kg daily.
**Deficiency of growth hormone**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): Initially 150-300 micrograms daily, then increased if necessary up to 1 mg daily, dose to be increased gradually, use minimum effective dose (requirements may decrease with age).
**Gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome) for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection): 1.4 mg/m2 daily, alternatively 45-50 micrograms/kg daily.
**Deficiency of growth hormone for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection, or by intramuscular injection): 23-39 micrograms/kg daily, alternatively 0.7-1 mg/m2 daily.
**Growth disturbance in children born small for gestational age whose growth has not caught up by 4 years or later for somatropin**
- **Child 4-17 years** (By subcutaneous injection): 35 micrograms/kg daily, alternatively 1 mg/m2 daily.
**Noonan syndrome for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection): 66 micrograms/kg daily, alternatively 33 micrograms/kg daily, lower dose may be sufficient for some patients.
**Prader-Willi syndrome, in children with growth velocity greater than 1 cm/year, in combination with energy-restricted diet for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection): 1 mg/m2 daily, alternatively 35 micrograms/kg daily; maximum 2.7 mg per day.
**Chronic renal insufficiency (renal function decreased to less than 50%) for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection): 45-50 micrograms/kg daily, alternatively 1.4 mg/m2 daily, higher doses may be needed, adjust if necessary after 6 months.
**SHOX deficiency for somatropin**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous injection): 45-50 micrograms/kg daily.
Cautions
Diabetes mellitus (adjustment of antidiabetic therapy may be necessary); disorders of the epiphysis of the hip (monitor for limping); history of malignant disease; hypoadrenalism (initiation or adjustment of glucocorticoid replacement therapy may be necessary); initiation of treatment close to puberty not recommended in child born small for corrected gestational age; papilloedema; resolved intracranial hypertension (monitor closely); risk of hypothyroidism-manufacturers recommend periodic thyroid function tests; Silver-Russell syndrome
Contraindications
Evidence of tumour activity (complete antitumour therapy and ensure intracranial lesions inactive before starting)
Side effects
Common or very common Carpal tunnel syndrome; fluid retention; headache; joint disorders; lipoatrophy; myalgia; oedema; paraesthesia Uncommon Gynaecomastia; idiopathic intracranial hypertension Rare or very rare Hyperglycaemia; hyperinsulinism; hypothyroidism; osteonecrosis of femur; pancreatitis; slipped capital femoral epiphysis Frequency not known Leukaemia; musculoskeletal stiffness Side-effects, further information Funduscopy for papilloedema recommended if severe or recurrent headache, visual problems, nausea and vomiting occur-if papilloedema confirmed consider benign intracranial hypertension (rare cases reported).
Interactions
**Other interactions (3):**
- Concomitant treatment with glucocorticoids inhibits the growth-promoting effects of somatropin containing products.
- Data from an interaction study performed in growth hormone deficient adults, suggests that somatropin administration may increase the clearance of compounds known to be metabolised by cytochrome...
- The clearance of compounds metabolised by cytochrome P 450 3A4 (e.g.
Pregnancy
Discontinue if pregnancy occurs-no information available.
Breast feeding
No information available. Absorption from milk unlikely.
Medicinal forms
Solution,Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Somatropin in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

