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Norditropin Side Effects

Generic name: somatropin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 31, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Norditropin Side Effects associated with somatropin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Norditropin.

Applies to somatropin: powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you get the injection.

This medicine may cause a dislocation in the hip bone, especially in patients with growth hormone deficiency or Turner syndrome. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has a limp or pain in the hip or knee.

Pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having more than one of these symptoms: bloating, chills, constipation, darkened urine, fast heartbeat, fever, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, pains in stomach, side, or abdomen possibly radiating to the back, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you or your child notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions.

This medicine may cause an increased pressure in the head. Check with your doctor immediately if headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or any other change in vision occurs during treatment. Your doctor may want you or your child to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause fluid retention (extra water in the body). Tell your doctor if you or your child have burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger, swelling of the hands and feet, or pain, swelling, or stiffness of the muscles. Your doctor may adjust your dose to reduce these side effects.

This medicine is usually mixed with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection. You should not use Bacteriostatic Water for Injection if you have had an allergic reaction to benzyl alcohol. If this is a concern, ask your doctor about other ways to mix this medicine.

Serious side effects of Norditropin

Along with its needed effects, somatropin (the active ingredient contained in Norditropin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking somatropin:

More common side effects

  • abnormal or decreased touch sensation
  • bleeding after defecation
  • bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • blood in the urine
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • changes in skin color
  • cold flu-like symptoms
  • cold hands and feet
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cough or hoarseness
  • darkened urine
  • decreased urination
  • diarrhea
  • difficult urination
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • fainting or loss of consciousness
  • fast heartbeat
  • fast or irregular breathing
  • feeling unusually cold
  • fever or chills
  • full or bloated feeling
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • headache
  • increase in heart rate
  • itching or skin rash
  • joint pain
  • light-colored stools
  • lightheadedness
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle aching or cramping
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • nausea
  • pain
  • pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
  • pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • pressure in the stomach
  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • rapid weight gain
  • rectal bleeding
  • runny nose
  • shivering
  • sneezing
  • sore mouth or tongue
  • sore throat
  • stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain
  • sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  • sweating
  • swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
  • swelling of the eyes or eyelids
  • swelling or puffiness of the face
  • swollen joints
  • thirst
  • tightness in the chest
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • trouble breathing
  • trouble sleeping
  • uncomfortable swelling around the anus
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • unusual weight gain or loss
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of blood
  • white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat
  • wrinkled skin
  • yellow eyes or skin

Less common side effects

  • bone or skeletal pain
  • burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger
  • chest pain
  • depressed mood
  • dry skin and hair
  • feeling cold
  • hair loss
  • hoarseness or husky voice
  • slowed heartbeat
  • swelling of the ankles

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking somatropin:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Norditropin

Some side effects of somatropin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • body aches or pain
  • breast pain
  • change in the color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge
  • congestion
  • discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
  • dryness or soreness of the throat
  • excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  • frequent urge to defecate
  • increased sweating
  • passing gas
  • sneezing
  • straining while passing stool
  • stuffy nose
  • tender, swollen glands in neck
  • trouble with swallowing
  • voice changes

Less common side effects

  • discouragement
  • feeling sad or empty
  • irritability
  • lack of appetite
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • tiredness
  • trouble concentrating

For healthcare professionals

Applies to somatropin: injectable kit, injectable powder for injection, subcutaneous kit, subcutaneous powder for injection, subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were glucose intolerance, fluid retention, injection site reactions, and unmasking of latent central hypothyroidism.[Ref]

Other

Endocrine

Musculoskeletal

Scoliosis was reported as an adverse event in 5 out of 21 children with Noonan Syndrome who were followed for 11 years.[Ref]

Metabolic

Nervous system

Intracranial hypertension with papilledema, visual changes, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting has been reported in a small number of patients.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Hepatic

Hematologic

Ocular

Respiratory

Immunologic

An IgG antibody has been identified. No antibodies to the IgE class have been detected. Growth hormone antibody binding capacities less than 2 mg/L have not led to growth attenuation. Testing for antibodies should be carried out in any patient failing to respond to treatment.

Primate studies have failed to reveal evidence of histopathological changes due to immune complex formation.[Ref]

Local

Hypersensitivity

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Genitourinary

gynecomastia, breast pain/mass/tenderness/swelling/edema/hypertrophy)

Psychiatric

Renal

Oncologic

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Nutropin (somatropin)." Genentech

2. (2003) "Product Information. Genotropin (somatropin)." Pharmacia and Upjohn

3. (2003) "Product Information. Humatrope (somatropin)." Lilly, Eli and Company

4. (2004) "Product Information. Serostim (somatropin)." Serono Laboratories Inc

5. (2004) "Product Information. Norditropin Cartridge (somatropin)." Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc

6. (2004) "Product Information. Zorbtive (somatropin)." Serono Laboratories Inc

7. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

8. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Further information

Norditropin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.