Zorbtive Side Effects

Generic name: somatropin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 10, 2025.

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

Applies to somatropin: powder for solution, solution.

Other dosage forms:

• powder for solution

Serious side effects of Zorbtive

Along with its needed effects, somatropin (the active ingredient contained in Zorbtive) 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

• bleeding gums
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, ankles, lower legs, or feet
• burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except the smallest finger
• coughing up blood
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nosebleeds
• not able to move
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• rapid weight gain
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare side effects

• 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
• blurred vision
• bone pain
• change in personality
• change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• changes in vision
• chills
• confusion
• constipation
• curved spine
• darkened urine
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• flushed, dry skin
• fracture
• fruit-like breath odor
• headache
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• indigestion
• limp pain in the hip or knee
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• nausea
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• problems with walking or talking
• seizures
• stomachache
• sweating
• tumor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• cough
• hives, itching, skin rash
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• skin lesions
• tightness in the chest
• unexplained weight loss

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

Symptoms of overdose

• backache
• excessive sweating
• extreme weakness
• increase in hand and foot size
• increased volume of pale, diluted urine
• pain in the arms or legs
• stop in menstruation

Other side effects of Zorbtive

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

• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• unusually warm skin

Rare side effects

• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

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

• Very common (10% or more): Otitis media (up to 86.4%), surgical procedure (44.6%), peripheral edema (45.4%), edema (25%), flu syndrome (22.9%), ear disorders (17.6%), peripheral swelling (17.5%), leg edema (15%), pain in extremities (19.3%), pain (13.5%), headache (11.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hematoma, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, asthenia, fatigue, generalized edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weakness
• Frequency not reported: Sudden death, pyrexia, ear infection, influenza-like illness, otitis externa,
• Postmarketing reports: Increased blood alkaline phosphatase level^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very common (10% or more): IGF-1 scores above 2 standard deviations (38%), hypothyroidism (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypothyroidism
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Central precocious puberty
• Frequency not reported: Unmasking of latent central hypothyroidism
• Postmarketing reports: Decrease in serum thyroxin levels^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (37.1%), myalgia (30.4%), scoliosis (23.8%), skeletal pain (11%), back pain (10.9%), arthrosis (10.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal stiffness, stiffness of extremities, joint stiffness, joint swelling, joint disorder, leg pain, hip pain, progression of preexisting scoliosis,
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Localized muscle pain, jaw prominence, slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Frequency not reported: fracture, joint pain, growth attenuation, interference with growth response, excessive growth of hands or feet, exacerbation of preexisting scoliosis, disproportionate growth of the lower jaw, fracture
• Postmarketing reports: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease^[Ref]

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

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Impaired fasting glucose (22%), elevated HbA1c (14%), blood glucose increased (13.8%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, glucose tolerance abnormal, fluid retention, hypertriglyceridemia, overt type II diabetes mellitus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diabetes mellitus, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism (glucose intolerance and high serum HbA1c)
• Frequency not reported: Glucose intolerance including impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose, increased appetite, transient episodes of fasting blood sugars between 100 and 126 mg/dL, transient episodes of fasting blood sugars exceeding 126 mg/dL, increased fasting blood glucose levels, increases in insulin levels, insulin resistance
• Postmarketing reports: Exacerbation of preexisting diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Paresthesia (17.3%), hypoesthesia (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypesthesia, fatigue, carpal tunnel syndrome, Tinel's sign
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Benign intracranial hypertension, motor problem, seizure^[Ref]

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

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis (14.3%),
• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, gastroenteritis, gastritis
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, increased appetite
• Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): AST increased (12.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Eosinophilia (12%)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Periorbital edema
• Frequency not reported: Diabetic retinopathy^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory infection (15.9%), rhinitis (13.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, cough increased, laryngitis, respiratory disorder, dyspnea, sleep apnea
• Frequency not reported: Influenza, tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anti-rhGH antibodies (24%), infection (non-viral) (13%)
• Frequency not reported: Antibody formation, anti-periplasmic Escherichia coli peptides (PECP) antibodies^[Ref]

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

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pain
• Frequency not reported: Injection site reactions/rashes, lipoatrophy, nodules, rash, inflammation, pigmentation, bleeding^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity to solvent (m-cresol/glycerol)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Generalized hypersensitivity reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac disorders^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased sweating, excessive number of cutaneous nevi, acne
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Hair loss, progression of pigmented nevi, eczema^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Gynecomastia, breast-related adverse reactions (e.g. nipple pain,
• Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

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

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Aggressiveness, altered mood^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Glucosuria
• Frequency not reported: Hematuria^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukemia
• Frequency not reported: Intracranial tumors including meningiomas, melanocytic nevus^[Ref]

Further information

Zorbtive 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.

Medical Disclaimer