Description
Genotropin (Somatropin) 36 IU 12 mg/ml
Genotropin contains somatropin, a recombinant form of human growth hormone. It is a prescription medicine used in growth hormone replacement therapy and related approved indications. The product described here is a prefilled pen presentation of somatropin 12 mg/ml.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is somatropin. It is a recombinant human growth hormone and belongs to the class of growth hormone analogues used for hormone replacement. Its amino acid sequence matches pituitary human growth hormone.
Established Medical Uses
Official product information for Genotropin lists use in children with growth failure due to growth hormone deficiency, Prader-Willi syndrome, small for gestational age without catch-up growth, Turner syndrome, and idiopathic short stature, as well as adults with growth hormone deficiency of childhood-onset or adult-onset origin.
How It Works
Somatropin acts like natural growth hormone. It helps regulate growth in children and influences protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. In hormone-deficient states, replacement may improve body composition and other features linked to low growth hormone activity.
Important Safety Information
Genotropin is contraindicated in acute critical illness, active malignancy, hypersensitivity to somatropin or excipients, active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and in children with closed epiphyses. In children with Prader-Willi syndrome, severe obesity or severe respiratory impairment are also important contraindications.
Important precautions include possible intracranial hypertension, glucose intolerance or diabetes, fluid retention, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, progression of pre-existing scoliosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis in children, pancreatitis, and monitoring for neoplasm recurrence or second neoplasms in susceptible patients. Clinically significant interactions include effects on glucocorticoid replacement, insulin or other hypoglycaemic drugs, oral estrogen, and some CYP450-metabolised medicines.
Possible Side Effects
Common or recognised adverse effects include injection-site reactions, rash, lipoatrophy, headache, edema, arthralgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Serious reactions can include hypersensitivity, intracranial hypertension, and pancreatitis.
Scientific Evidence
Peer-reviewed reviews and clinical guidance indexed in PubMed report that growth hormone replacement in deficient adults can improve body composition, exercise capacity, bone parameters, lipids, and quality of life, while long-term monitoring remains important. Reviews in children and transitional-age patients also support established use for selected growth disorders.
Medical Information Notice
This summary is based on sources available at the time of review and is for educational use only. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information, or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- FDA — GENOTROPIN (somatropin) for injection, prescribing information
- European Medicines Agency — Genotropin referral page
- Johan Svensson et al. — “Long-term efficacy and safety of somatropin for adult growth hormone deficiency” — Growth Hormone & IGF Research (2005) — PubMed
