Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone important for the growth of bones and muscles.

Somatropin is used to treat growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone. This includes people with short stature due to Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, short stature at birth with no catch-up growth, and other causes.

Somatropin is also used in adults to treat short bowel syndrome, or to prevent severe weight loss related to AIDS.

Somatropin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use somatropin if you have cancer, diabetic retinopathy, or if you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems. You should not use somatropin if you have a serious illness due to lung failure or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma.

Somatropin injection comes as a solution (liquid) in prefilled dosing pens and cartridges and also as a powder in vials and cartridges to be mixed with liquid to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin). When somatropin injection is given to replace growth hormone in adults, it is usually given once a day. When somatropin injection to replace growth hormone or increase growth in children, it is usually given once daily on 3 to 7 days each week. When somatropin injection (Serostim) is given to increase body weight and physical endurance in patients with HIV-associated wasting syndrome, it is usually given once daily or once every other day. When somatropin injection (Zorbtive) is given to treat short bowel syndrome, it is usually given once daily for 4 weeks. Use somatropin injection at around the same time on each scheduled day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use somatropin injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of somatropin and may gradually increase your dose.

You may receive your first dose of somatropin injection in your doctor's office or your doctor may allow you or a caregiver to perform the injections at home. Before you use somatropin injection for the first time, you or the person who will be giving the injections should read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with it. These instructions describe how to inject a dose of somatropin. Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how or where to inject the medication or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after you inject the medication.

Continue to use somatropin injection even if you feel well. Do not stop using somatropin injection without talking to your doctor.

Always look at somatropin solution before injecting it. Check that the expiration date has not passed and that the liquid is clear and colorless. The liquid should not contain visible particles. Do not use if it is expired or if the liquid is cloudy or contains particles.

Do not reuse or share syringes, needles, injection pens, or vials of medication. Dispose of used syringes, needles, injection pens, and vials in a puncture resistant container that is out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Your dose and brand of somatropin, and how often you use it will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Somatropin is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Do not inject the subcutaneous injection (under the skin) into the same place two times in a row.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use somatropin if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not shake the medicine. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

If your medicine comes with a syringe, cartridge, or injection pen, use only that device to give your medicine.

You may need frequent medical tests.

Follow any diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor to help control your condition.

How you store this medicine will depend on the somatropin brand and the diluent you are using. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about proper storage of your medication.

Throw away any somatropin left over after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

You should not use somatropin if you are allergic to somatropin or benzyl alcohol, or if you have:

• a serious illness due to lung failure, or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma;

• closed epiphyses;

• active cancer;

• eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy); or

• you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems (including sleep apnea).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• cancer (especially during childhood);

• diabetes;

• breathing problems, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);

• a pituitary gland disorder;

• abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis);

• underactive thyroid;

• a head injury or brain tumor; or

• childhood brain cancer and radiation treatment.

In some cases, somatropin should not be used in a child. Certain brands of somatropin contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Call your doctor if you miss more than 3 doses in a row.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose can cause tremors or shaking, cold sweats, increased hunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, and nausea. Long-term overdose may cause excessive growth.

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

If you use Zorbtive to treat short bowel syndrome, avoid drinking fruit juices or soda beverages.

Avoid drinking alcohol if you have short bowel syndrome. Alcohol can irritate your stomach and could make your condition worse.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious breathing problems may occur in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who use somatropin. If you have Prader-Willi syndrome, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain in your knees or hips, walking with a limp;

• ear pain, swelling, warmth, or drainage;

• numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers;

• severe swelling or puffiness in your hands and feet;

• changes in behavior;

• vision problems, unusual headaches;

• changes in the shape or size of a mole;

• pain or swelling in your joints;

• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or

• signs of an adrenal gland problem--extreme weakness, severe dizziness, weight loss, changes in skin color, feeling very weak or tired.

Common side effects of somatropin may include:

• pain, itching, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• muscle or joint pain;

• numbness or tingling;

• stomach pain, gas;

• headache, back pain; or

• cold or flu symptoms, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, ear pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or

• a steroid (prednisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect somatropin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to somatropin.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.