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Norditropin SimpleXx5 mg/1.5 m
Novo Nordisk
৳9918.00
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Generic medicine
Somatropin: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) biosynthetically identical in sequence to endogenous pituitary growth hormone.
About Somatropin
Indications of Somatropin
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) biosynthetically identical in sequence to endogenous pituitary growth hormone. It is indicated for the following, classified by strength of evidence:
Established / Approved Pediatric Indications
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children due to inadequate endogenous growth hormone secretion.
- Turner syndrome – short stature associated with this condition, confirmed by chromosomal analysis.
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) – to improve growth and body composition, confirmed by genetic testing.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) – children born small for gestational age who fail to show catch-up growth by 2 years of age.
- Growth failure due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) – used up to the time of renal transplantation, in specific approved products.
- Idiopathic short stature (ISS)/Noonan syndrome-associated short stature – in selected products, where height is significantly below normal and no other cause is identified.
- SHOX gene deficiency – short stature due to short stature homeobox-containing gene deficiency (product-specific approval).
Established / Approved Adult Indications
- Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) – either childhood-onset GHD confirmed in adulthood, or adult-onset GHD due to pituitary/hypothalamic disease, pituitary surgery, radiation therapy, or head trauma, confirmed by appropriate biochemical (stimulation) testing.
Other Recognized Use (Product-Specific / Guideline-Supported)
- HIV-associated wasting/cachexia – to increase lean body mass, for specific approved formulations, as an adjunct to overall management, not a substitute for antiretroviral therapy.
Somatropin is not approved for anti-aging use, athletic performance enhancement, bodybuilding, or growth promotion in children with normal, closed growth plates, and such use is inappropriate and unsafe.
Dosage & Administration of Somatropin
Somatropin dosing is highly individualized by indication, body weight, growth response, and IGF-1 levels, and must be determined and monitored by a physician experienced in growth hormone therapy. See the Dosage table for indication-specific doses and the Administration field for injection technique. Somatropin is given by subcutaneous injection, typically once daily, with injection sites rotated systematically (e.g., abdomen, thigh, buttock) to reduce the risk of lipoatrophy.
Side Effects of Somatropin
Adverse effects of Somatropin vary by age group and indication.
| Population | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Adults | Peripheral edema/swelling, arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia, paresthesia, headache, stiffness of extremities, injection site reactions |
| Children (general) | Injection site reactions, lipoatrophy, headache, mild transient hyperglycemia |
| Prader-Willi syndrome (pediatric) | Edema, arthralgia, benign intracranial hypertension, hair thinning |
| Turner syndrome (pediatric) | Recurrent ear infections, joint pain, mild swelling |
Less Common but Clinically Important
- Benign intracranial hypertension (headache, visual changes, papilledema, nausea/vomiting)
- Hyperglycemia/new-onset or worsened diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism (unmasking of latent disease)
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and progression of scoliosis in growing children
- Hypersensitivity reactions, including rare anaphylaxis and angioedema
- Rare reports of second neoplasm (e.g., meningioma) in childhood cancer survivors previously treated with radiation
Patients should seek prompt medical advice for severe headache with vision changes, persistent limping or hip/knee pain, signs of allergic reaction, or unusual swelling.
Contraindications of Somatropin
Somatropin is contraindicated in the following situations (true absolute contraindications):
- Known hypersensitivity to Somatropin or any excipient in the formulation (including preservatives such as m-cresol in some presentations).
- Active malignancy – growth hormone can stimulate tumor cell growth; antitumor therapy must be complete and the malignancy inactive before starting Somatropin, or use only per specialist oncology guidance.
- Acute critical illness due to complications following open-heart or abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma, or acute respiratory failure – increased mortality has been observed with pharmacologic growth hormone doses in this specific critically ill population.
- Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Closed epiphyses, when Somatropin is used for a growth-promoting indication in children (no additional height benefit once growth plates have fused).
- Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity, or severe respiratory impairment/upper airway obstruction, or history of sleep apnea – increased risk of sudden death has been reported in this specific subgroup.
Frequently Asked Questions about Somatropin
What is Somatropin used for?
Somatropin is a recombinant human growth hormone used to treat growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, and growth failure associated with conditions such as Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, small for gestational age, and chronic kidney disease. It must only be used for a physician-confirmed indication.
How is Somatropin given?
Somatropin is given as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection, usually once daily, with the injection site rotated each time between the abdomen, thigh, or buttock to prevent skin/fat tissue changes at the injection site.
Can Somatropin be used to increase height in a child with normal growth hormone levels, or to enhance athletic performance?
No. Somatropin is not approved and should not be used for growth enhancement in children who do not have a diagnosed growth disorder, for athletic performance enhancement, bodybuilding, or anti-aging purposes. Use for these purposes is unsafe and can cause serious harm, including diabetes-like effects and, in Prader-Willi syndrome, risk of sudden death if respiratory issues are not screened for first.
What are the main risks or side effects of Somatropin?
Common side effects include swelling, joint or muscle pain, and injection site reactions. More serious but less common risks include increased blood sugar or new-onset diabetes, benign intracranial hypertension (headache with vision changes), unmasking of hypothyroidism, and (in children) slipped capital femoral epiphysis or worsening scoliosis. Somatropin should not be used in people with active cancer, acute critical illness after major surgery/trauma, or severe diabetic eye disease.
Is Somatropin safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Data are limited. Somatropin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus, generally with discontinuation once pregnancy is confirmed unless a specialist advises otherwise; a physician should always be consulted. In breastfeeding, the benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the mother's clinical need for treatment, in consultation with a doctor.
How long does treatment with Somatropin continue?
Duration depends on the indication and response. In children, treatment usually continues until near-adult height is reached or growth plates fuse. In adults with growth hormone deficiency, treatment is often long-term, with periodic reassessment by the prescribing physician. Never stop or change the dose without medical advice.
Disclaimer
The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it does not replace professional medical advice. We cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy, and the absence of specific information about a drug should not be taken as an endorsement. We are not responsible for any consequences arising from this information, so please consult a healthcare professional for any concerns or questions.