Genotropin® is an injectable human growth hormone (HGH) made by Pfizer. It is indicated for children who have growth failure and for the replacement of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), including age-related growth hormone deficiency.
What is Genotropin?
Genotropin is a prescription medication used to treat growth hormone deficiencies. Genotropin is made by Pfizer. It is manufactured using recombinant human DNA, so it is biologically identical to somatropin – the HGH that is naturally produced by your pituitary gland.
The Genotropin® Miniquick is an HGH delivery device in the form of a pen. Like all types of prescription HGH injections, you cannot, under any circumstances, legally purchase the Miniquick injector without a doctor’s prescription.
The daily dosage of Genotropin® varies by your age, weight, and the condition it is being prescribed for. The weekly dose should be divided into 6 or 7 subcutaneous injections.
Genotropin Full Instructions for Use
Indications & Contraindications
Genotropin® is an injectable human growth hormone. It is indicated for children who have growth failure and for the replacement of growth hormone in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
According to Pfizer, Genotropin® can be prescribed in a number of different ways designed to suit many different patient needs and lifestyles. All require self-injections. The manufacturer prides itself on making Genotropin convenient and easy to administer through the use of injectable drug pens. These pen devices, known as Genotropin® Multiuse Pen and the Genotropin MiniQuick® pen, are one of the reasons why Genotropin is one of the most popular forms of HGH injections prescribed by doctors. The Genotropin MiniQuick® pen is quite popular because of the following features:
- No dose setting—each MiniQuick contains one pre-measured dose.
- No refrigeration needed
- Packaged in a 7-day supply
Dosage & Administration
Genotropin® is available for use with a variety of proprietary injectable devices made by the manufacturer or with standard syringes. The injectable devices include the Genotropin® Multiuse Pen and the Genotropin MiniQuick® pen. MiniQuick Pens are the most popular way to prescribe and administer Genotropin.
MiniQuick pens are available that can deliver 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.8 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.4 mg, 1.6 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.0 mg doses of Genotropin®.
Storage
According to Pfizer, Genotropin® should be stored under refrigeration at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Genotropin should never be frozen, and it should be kept out of direct light. After reconstitution, you can store the pen in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before use. The Genotropin Miniquick should be used only once and then discarded.
Drug Interactions
Genotropin (somatropin) has known and possible interactions with any of the following medications:
- Corticosteroids such as cortisone and prednisone).
- Certain diabetes medications such as insulin, metformin, rosiglitazone, and others, tell your doctor of any diabetes medications you may be taking.
- Estrogen.
- Thyroid medications.
Warnings & Precautions
According to its manufacturer, Genotropin®:
- Should not prescribe for children once all growth plates have closed.
- It is contraindicated for patients with diabetes.
- Is contraindicated for cancer patients as it may encourage tumor growth.
- Is contraindicated in patients who are suffering from severe illness, particularly respiratory issues, or patients who are recovering from trauma or surgery.
- It should not be prescribed for children with PWS who are obese or have respiratory issues.
- Should not prescribe for patients who are known to be allergic to somatropin or any of the other ingredients in Genotropin®.
Benefits
When used as prescribed for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency, Genotropin has many benefits. In addition to increased skeletal, cell, and organ growth enabling children to achieve proper stature, other documented benefits of Genotropin in children and adults include:
- Increased protein metabolism.
- Improved carbohydrate metabolism.
- Improved lipid metabolism.
- Improved mineral metabolism – particularly resulting in an increase in bodily potassium and phosphorus levels.
- Improved tissue metabolism – particularly an increase in collagen production.
Side Effects
Genotropin is FDA approved for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in men, women, and children. As such is generally regarded as safe. However, as with any prescription medication, it does have some possible side effects.
Some of the more common side effects of Genotropin® include the following:
- Injection site reactions such as pain, redness/swelling, inflammation, bleeding, scarring, or rash.
- Fat loss
- Headache
- Blood in the urine
- Low thyroid activity
- Mildly increased blood sugar.
See your medication’s insert for a complete list of potential side effects.
Overdose
As long as it is used as directed, an overdose of Genotropin is rare. Accidental overdose can result in:
Overdose of Genotropin® can cause:
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Cold sweats
- Depression
- Extreme weakness
- Increase in hands and feet size
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Seizures
As with any medication, in case of accidental overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Keep Genotropin® and all prescription medications out of the reach of children.
Genotropin Forms & Usage
Genotropin injections are given subcutaneously, which means just below the skin. You will be shown exactly how to administer your Genotropin® injections. The Genotropin MiniQuick and the Genotropin Pen are premixed and pre-measured for you.
Genotropin Pen Instructions
The Genotropin pen is a device used to mix and inject lyophilized powder somatropin made from recombinant rDNA. Complete instructions as provided by the manufacturer on how to use your Genotropin Pen can be accessed in video instructions or in PDF form by clicking on this link.
Genotropin MiniQuick Instructions
Genotropin MiniQuick is a device holding a 2-chamber cartridge of Genotropin, used to mix and inject a single dose of Genotropin.
Complete instructions as provided by the manufacturer on how to use your Genotropin MiniQuick can be accessed in video instructions or in PDF form by clicking on this link.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genotropin
Yes. Like all forms of genuine growth hormone therapy injections, Genotropin is a brand name of the prescription medication somatropin. Somatropin is a synthetic form of human growth hormone (HGH) made from human DNA. Somatropin in all of its forms is a controlled substance and is only available with a doctor’s prescription. Genotropin is one of the most popular brands of somatropin prescribed by doctors.
Genotropin is an FDA-approved prescription medication indicated for the treatment of patients diagnosed with growth hormone deficiencies. Like any prescription medication, it cannot be legally obtained without a doctor’s prescription. Any other use of Genotropin without a prescription is not only illegal, but it could also be hazardous to your health.
It is not up to you what dosage of Genotropin to buy. Your doctor will prescribe the adequate dose of Genotropin for you to purchase based on your symptoms, needs, and lifestyle.
Genotropin is perfectly legal when it is obtained with a doctor’s prescription and used under proper medical supervision. It is illegal to obtain or use Genotropin or any form of HGH without a prescription. HGH is banned as a performance-enhancing drug by most major sports organizations but is it legal to use by medical patients with a prescription.
Genotropin is FDA approved for the treatment of men, women, and children with growth hormone deficiency. It is also approved for the treatment of muscle wasting caused by HIV/AIDS and other degenerative muscle disorders.
Yes. According to Pfizer, Genotropin® should be stored under refrigeration at 36°F to 46°F. See above for complete storage information.
You cannot buy Genotropin without a doctor’s prescription. Once it has been prescribed for you, we will advise you on where and how to purchase it.
Unfortunately, there have been reports of “fake” or counterfeit Genotropin pens being sold on the black market. You can be sure that any Genotropin device you get from a legitimate pharmacy with an authentic doctor’s prescription is the genuine article. Certainly, any Genotropin pens you purchase through our clinic will be genuine Genotropin.
Get in touch
Please get in touch and our expert support team will answer all your questions about Genotropin therapy.
