This page is intended as reference information for the general public in Great Britain.
What is Genotropin and what is it used for?
Genotropin is a recombinant human growth hormone (also called somatropin). Somatropin has the same structure as natural human growth hormone which is needed for bones and muscles to grow. It also helps your fat and muscle tissues to develop in the right amounts. It is recombinant meaning it is not made from human or animal tissue.
Somatropin is produced by a method known as ‘recombinant DNA technology’. It is made by an organism that has received a gene (DNA), which makes it able to produce growth hormone.
In children, Genotropin is used to treat patients with growth disturbances:
If the patient is not growing properly and does not have enough of their own growth hormone.
If the patient has Turner syndrome. Turner syndrome is a chromosomal error in girls that can affect growth.
If the patient has growth disturbance due to chronic renal (kidney) insufficiency. As kidneys lose their ability to function normally, this can affect growth.
If the patient has Prader-Willi syndrome (a chromosomal disorder). Growth hormone will help the child grow taller if they are still growing, and will also improve their body composition. Their excessive fat will decrease and their reduced muscle mass will improve.
If the patient was small or too light at birth. Growth hormone can help the child grow taller if they have not been able to catch up or maintain normal growth by four years of age or later.
In adults, Genotropin is used to treat persons with pronounced growth hormone deficiency. This can start during adult life, or it can continue from childhood. If an individual has been treated with Genotropin for growth hormone deficiency during childhood, their growth hormone status will be retested after completion of growth. If severe growth hormone deficiency is confirmed, the doctor will propose that the patient continues with the Genotropin treatment.
Genotropin is intended for subcutaneous use. Patients must refer to the instructions for use before using the medicine. The instructions are provided with the device.
The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.
Reference Information
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. One of the ways they do this is by producing evidence-based guidance. See what guidance they offer about Genotropin.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is an agency of the European Union (EU). The Agency is responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the EU. See what guidance they offer about Genotropin.
If you would like to see the Patient Information Leaflet or Summary of Product Characteristics for Genotropin these can be found at the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC).
Pfizer is unable to provide advice on personal medical matters. Please consult your doctor or other relevant health professional for specific, health-related advice and support.
If you get any side effects when taking this or any other medicine, talk to your doctor or other relevant health professional e.g. pharmacist, nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the packaging leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search the Google Play or Apple App Store for MHRA Yellow Card. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.