What is Saizen (Somatropin)?

Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone. Human growth hormone is important in the body for the growth of bones and muscles.
Somatropin is used to treat growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone, and in those with chronic kidney failure, Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, short stature at birth with no catch-up growth, and other causes. Somatropin is also used to prevent severe weight loss in people with AIDS, or to treat short bowel syndrome.
Somatropin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Saizen (Somatropin)?

Before you receive somatropin, tell your doctor about all your past and present medical conditions, especially allergies, trauma, surgery, diabetes, cancer, breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, scoliosis, high blood pressure, pancreas disorder, underactive thyroid, or a brain tumor.
Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially steroids or diabetes medications. Your dosages of these medicines may need to be changed when you start using somatropin. Do not stop using a steroid suddenly or change any of your medication doses without your doctor’s advice.
If you have Prader-Willi syndrome and are using somatropin, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring.
Call your doctor at once if you have sudden and severe pain or tenderness in your upper stomach, with nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. You should also call your doctor promptly if you have vision changes and sudden, severe pain behind your eyes.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Saizen (Somatropin)?

Before you receive somatropin, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a growth hormone medicine, or to drug preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, metacresol or glycerin.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to somatropin, or if you have:

• diabetic retinopathy (a serious eye condition caused by diabetes)
• cancer; or
• Prader-Willi syndrome and are also overweight or have sleep apnea or severe respiratory (lung) problems

You should also not use somatropin if you have a serious medical condition after having:

• open heart surgery or stomach surgery
• trauma or other medical emergency; or
• breathing problems (such as lung failure)

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using somatropin, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
• diabetes
• scoliosis
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a pancreas disorder
• a history of cancer
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• underactive thyroid; or
• a brain tumor or lesion

FDA pregnancy category B. Some brands of somatropin are not expected to harm an unborn baby, including Genotropin, Omnitrope, Saizen, Serostim, and Zorbtive.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether certain other brands of somatropin will harm an unborn baby, including Humatrope, Norditropin,Nutropihn, and Tev-tropin.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether somatropin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use somatropin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Saizen Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Saizen (Somatropin)?

If you have Prader-Willi syndrome, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring. Rare cases of serious breathing problems have occurred in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who use somatropin.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sudden and severe pain or tenderness in your upper stomach
• nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes
• increased thirst and urination
• sudden and severe pain behind your eyes, vision changes
• swelling in your head, face, hands, or feet; or
• numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache
• redness, soreness, swelling, skin rash, itching, pain, or bruising where the medicine was injected
• breast swelling
• joint pain, swelling, or stiffness; or
• mild nausea, stomach pain, gas

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Saizen Interactions

What other drugs affect Saizen (Somatropin)?

Before using somatropin, tell your doctor if you use insulin or take oral (by mouth) medicine to treat diabetes. Somatropin may affect blood sugar levels and you may need to adjust your dose of the diabetes medication. Do not change the dose of your diabetes medication without your doctor’s advice.
Tell your doctor if you use any type of steroid medicine such as cortisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, and others. Steroids can make somatropin less effective and your doses may need to be adjusted. Do not stop using a steroid suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), seizure medication, birth control pills, anabolic steroids, or hormone replacement medications for men or women.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with somatropin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Saizen (Somatropin)?

If you use Zorbtive to treat short bowel syndrome, avoid drinking fruit juices or soda beverages. Follow the instructions of your doctor or nutrition counselor about what types of liquids you should drink while using Zorbtive.
Avoid drinking alcohol if you have short bowel syndrome. Alcohol can irritate your stomach and could make your condition worse.

Saizen Dosage

How should I take Saizen (Somatropin)?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your dose and brand of somatropin, and how often you give it will depend on what you are being treated for. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Somatropin is injected into a muscle or under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Use a different place on your body each time you give the injection. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row. Do not inject this medicine into skin or muscle that is red, sore, infected, or injured.
Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. When mixing somatropin with a diluent (liquid), use a gentle swirling motion. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harm, your blood and growth progress will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your eyes may also need to be checked. Visit your doctor regularly.
If you are being treated for short bowel syndrome, follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor to help control your condition. Somatropin is not a cure for short bowel syndrome.
If you use a form of somatropin that comes in a cartridge for use with an injection pen, use only the pen injection system provided with the somatropin brand you use.
How you store this medicine will depend on what brand you are using and what diluent you are mixing somatropin with. After mixing somatropin, you may need to use it right away or you may be able to store it for later use. Read and carefully follow the instructions provided with your medicine about proper storage of somatropin before and after it has been mixed. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about proper storage of your medication.
Throw away any somatropin left over after the expiration date on the label has passed.

What happens if I overdose on Saizen (Somatropin)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose can cause tremors or shaking, cold sweats, increased hunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, and nausea. Long-term overdose may cause excessive growth.

What happens if I miss a dose of Saizen (Somatropin)?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Call your doctor if you miss more than 3 doses in a row.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com