Somatropin, E coli derived (Injection)

Introduction:

Somatropin, E-Coli Derived (soe-ma-TROE-pin, E-KOH-lye dee-rived)

Treats certain conditions in which a person's body does not grow properly or does not produce enough natural growth hormone. This medicine is also used with a special nutrition program to treat short bowel syndrome.

Brand Name(s):

Nutropin AQ Pen, Nutropin AQ, Nutropin AQ Pen Cartridge, Norditropin, Norditropin Nordiflex, Norditropin NordiFlex, Omnitrope, Genotropin Miniquick, Genotropin, Nutropin, Humatrope, Tev-Tropin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. There are many different types of injection devices available for this medicine. Read all instructions carefully to be sure you know how to use your device.
• Each time you get your medicine, check to be sure you have received the proper device. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about the device that you were given.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. If you are using Zorbtive?, store your medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• You may keep the Genotropin® Miniquick device in the refrigerator or at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Store Accretropin® in the refrigerator for up to 14 days after its first use. Do not freeze or shake.
• Once the powder medicine has been mixed with the liquid, this mixture must be stored in the refrigerator. Zorbtive? that has been mixed should be used within 2 weeks. Genotropin® that has been mixed should be used within 24 hours. Make sure you understand how long you can store the medicine after it has been mixed. Throw away any mixed medicine that has not been used within these timelines.
• After a Norditropin® cartridge has been placed into the NordiPen® device, you must store the pen in the refrigerator. Use the medicine in this pen within 4 weeks or it will expire and must be thrown away.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®), or medicine for seizures (such as Depakote®, Dilantin®, Keppra?, Luminal®, Tegretol®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have thyroid problems, pituitary problems, or a history of cancer or scoliosis (curved spine). Tell your doctor if you are allergic to benzyl alcohol or a preservative called m-cresol.
• Make sure your child's doctor knows if your child has a history of ear infection.
• This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes.
• Make sure any doctor who treats you knows that you are using this medicine, especially if you need to be in the hospital for another illness.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Talk with your doctor if you think you are growing too fast or that your growth has slowed down after using the medicine for several weeks.
• Tell your child's doctor if your child shows signs of early sexual development while using this medicine. This may include early breast development, increased genital size, growth of pubic hair, increased jaw size, or a change in face shape.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Curved spine.
• Headache, pain behind your eyes, vision problems, and nausea or vomiting.
• Increased thirst or hunger, increase in how much or how often you urinate.
• Joint pain or limping.
• Rapid growth or weight gain.
• Swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Increased sweating.
• Muscle pain or stiffness.
• Numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers.
• Pain, redness, burning, swelling, a hard lump, or skin changes where your shot is given.
• Stomach pain, passing gas, or bowel problems.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: