Genotropin

Genotropin is used for:

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As a treatment for...	Avg User Ratings [?]
Adult Human Growth Hormone Deficiency	Be the first to rate it 0 comments
Turner's Syndrome	Be the first to rate it 0 comments
Idiopathic Short Stature	Be the first to rate it 0 comments

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Treating certain children or adults when the body does not produce enough growth hormone. It is also used to treat certain children who are not growing normally due to Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or certain other conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Genotropin is a growth hormone that produces effects that are identical to the body's naturally occurring growth hormone. It affects the growth of bones, muscles, internal organs, and other tissues of the body.

Do NOT use Genotropin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Genotropin
• you have or are currently being treated for cancer or any unusual growths or tumors (especially in the brain) that may still be growing
• you have premature epiphyseal closure (your bone growth is complete) or a serious illness caused by complications from surgery, trauma, or severe breathing problems (eg, respiratory failure)
• you have Prader-Willi syndrome and are severely overweight or have severe breathing problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Genotropin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Genotropin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have endocrine problems, including pituitary or adrenal gland problems; diabetes or a family history of diabetes; or an underactive thyroid
• if you have a history of leukemia, unusual growths or tumors (especially in the brain), or cancer
• if you have curvature of the spine (scoliosis), kidney or liver problems, ear or hearing problems (eg, repeated ear infections), Prader-Willi syndrome, are severely overweight, or have had recent major surgery or trauma

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Genotropin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin, carbamazepine) or cyclosporine because the risk of their side effects may be increased or their effectiveness may be decreased by Genotropin
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because they may decrease Genotropin 's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Genotropin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Genotropin :

Use Genotropin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Genotropin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Genotropin at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Genotropin . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Genotropin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Always change the location where you inject Genotropin .
• Do not shake Genotropin . Swirl the vial gently to mix it.
• If you miss a dose of Genotropin , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Genotropin .

Important safety information:

• Genotropin may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Genotropin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Never reuse needles and syringes. Follow your health care provider's instructions for proper disposal of needles and syringes. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full.
• Genotropin may contain benzyl alcohol, metacresol, or glycerin. Tell your doctor if you have ever had sensitivity or an allergic reaction to benzyl alcohol, metacresol, or glycerin.
• Diabetes patients - Genotropin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including blood sugar levels and thyroid function, may be performed while you use Genotropin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Genotropin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Rare, sometimes fatal, lung and breathing problems may be caused by Genotropin in CHILDREN with Prader-Willi syndrome. Those at higher risk include males, severely overweight children, or children with existing serious lung or breathing problems. Children should be checked for certain breathing problems before and during treatment. If your child develops a limp or complains of hip or knee pain during treatment with Genotropin , contact your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor right away if your child becomes very sick or is hospitalized while using Genotropin . Genotropin may need to be stopped.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Genotropin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Genotropin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Genotropin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Genotropin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Headache; mild swelling (eg, of the hands or feet); muscle or joint pain; nerve tingling; numbness; pain or stiffness in the arms or legs; sinus inflammation; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); body pain or stiffness; burning, tingling, itching, or numbness in the palm of the hand, fingers, or wrist; change in appearance or size of a mole; chest pain; confusion; constant feeling of need to empty the bowel; curvature of the spine; depression; ear pain discharge, or discomfort; excessive thirst or hunger; fast heartbeat; fever; frequent urination; hearing problems; increased pressure in the head or eye; infection; nausea; one-sided weakness; severe or persistent swelling of the ankles, legs, hands, or feet; slurred speech; stomach pain; sudden, severe, or persistent headache or dizziness; visual changes; vomiting.

Children: Ear discomfort or infection; fatigue or weakness; fever, persistent cough, or trouble breathing; hip or knee pain; leukemia; limp; seizures; snoring or irregular breathing during sleep; worsening of psoriasis.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include: excessive thirst or hunger; frequent urination; headache; nausea or vomiting; swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands.

Before mixing, store Genotropin in the refrigerator at 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Do not use this medicine past the expiration date on the product label. After mixing, store Genotropin according to the product label. Contact your pharmacist if you have any questions about the proper storage of Genotropin . Keep Genotropin , as well as needles and syringes, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Genotropin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Genotropin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Genotropin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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