MedicinePOM

Somatropin

A recombinant human growth hormone injection for growth failure and growth hormone deficiency.

Clinical information

Common uses

children with growth failure (GHD, Prader-Willi, Turner syndrome, others)
adults with growth hormone deficiency

Common side effects

swelling from fluid retention (especially adults)
joint pain
carpal tunnel syndrome

Cautions

not for severely obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome (sudden deaths)
not with active cancer or acute critical illness
can unmask diabetes — glucose is monitored
may reveal or worsen underactive thyroid

Interactions

glucocorticoid replacement — doses may need adjusting
insulin or diabetes medicines — may need adjusting
oral oestrogen — larger somatropin doses may be needed
drugs metabolised by CYP450 enzymes — monitor

Pregnancy: limited human data — no harm seen in animal studies

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Genotropin (somatropin) label, setid ffebf88b-d257-4542-9808-74d9b7167765 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Somatropin	Parenteral ( Prefilled Pen )	36 IU	—	POM
Somatropin	Parenteral ( Prefilled Pen )	0.6mg	—	POM