Omnitrope Vial: Indications, Dosage, Warnings, Storage

Here, we’ll explore all the Omnitrope 5.8 mg vial information patients receiving HGH replacement therapy should know, including indications, dosage, drug interactions, and side effects. We’ll also offer detailed instructions for administration. Find out how to get maximum benefits from Omnitrope treatment.

About Omnitrope

Omnitrope, manufactured by Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals, is a patented form of somatropin, a synthetic pharmaceutical therapeutic that treats adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

It’s one of only a handful of somatropin products approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Somatropin, the active ingredient in Omnitrope 5.8 mg vial, has been used for decades to treat GHD. It’s available for both children and adults.

Who should consider taking Omnitrope?

Omnitrope 5.8 mg vial is appropriate for any adult who has a diagnosed growth hormone deficiency (GHD), as determined by blood tests.

HGH deficiency often occurs as part of the aging process as natural levels of HGH tend to decline.

Declining HGH levels are problematic for various aspects of health and quality of life. The symptoms of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) include:

• Lack of energy (chronic fatigue)
• Sleep issues (insomnia)
• Loss of muscle mass
• Unwanted weight gain (particularly around the abdomen in men and the hips/thighs in women)
• Poor memory/concentration and impaired cognition
• Anxiety and other mental health conditions
• Slowed metabolism
• Increased risk of chronic illness, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Many patients with GHD do not know they have the condition, and many doctors mistake the obvious signs of GHD for other conditions. It’s important to consult with a specialist in hormone disorders called an “endocrinologist” to rule in or rule out GHD.

Full Instructions for Omnitrope Usage

The Omnitrope 5.8 vial is intended to be administered subcutaneously, meaning under the skin, where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Your doctor will give you full detailed instructions on how to perform the injection.

Always use exactly the dose prescribed. Never take less or more. If you accidentally inject more Omnitrope than prescribed, contact your doctor. Blood sugar might drop unexpectedly and you could possibly faint if too much HGH is injected at once.

If you forget a dose or cannot administer the dose at the scheduled time, do not double the dose next time. Instead, simply continue the injections according to schedule.

Never stop taking Omnitrope without first notifying your doctor. Abruptly quitting HGH therapy might pose certain health risks.

Omnitrope Indications & Contraindications

Because HGH plays a role in multiple physiological functions and HGH receptors are located in numerous organs and tissues, the indications for Omnitrope are wide-ranging and can include:

• Increased abdominal fat
• Reduced quality of life
• Joint pains
• Brittle bones
• Height shrinkage
• Muscle mass loss
• Low sex drive
• Poor concentration
• Internal organ shrinkage and poor performance
• Impaired brain functions, including memory
• Increased wrinkles and skin sagging
• Balding or thinning of the hair
• Social isolation
• Brittle nails
• Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
• Women: vaginal dryness, PMS symptoms, menopausal hot flashes, and night sweats
• Men: erectile dysfunction, male breast enlargement
• Depression or other mood alterations
• Sensitivity to changes in temperature

Some patients should not be considered eligible for Omnitrope treatment based on pre-existing conditions. Examples include:

• Patients with diabetes
• Patients with a cancer history
• Patients with stomach surgery
• Patients with breathing issues
• Patients with past trauma
• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Patients taking certain prescription drugs or herbal supplements

Omnitrope Dosage & Administration

Your doctor should go over dosage and administration with you. Always follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter for optimal results following HGH therapy. Carefully measure the dose to make sure you’re getting the right amount each time.

How Is Omnitrope Administered?

HGH is administered under the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. The medication is injected into the fat tissue (adipose tissue), ideally in the thigh, abdomen, or buttocks.

How to Inject Omnitrope?

Here are the step by step instructions for administering Omnitrope:

• Weekly dose should be divided into daily injections, preferably in the evening for maximum efficacy
• The injection sites should be the buttocks, thighs, or abdomen. Rotate the injection sites daily to avoid lipoatrophy
• Remove protective cap from vial
• Disinfect vial and cartridge with alcohol
• Using the transfer set, transfer diluent from cartridge into vial
• Swirl reconstituted vial gently until full dissolution is achieved. Solution should be clear, not cloudy.
• Transfer dissolved solution into transfer set
• Select injection site, eliminate air bubbles, and fill injection pen with solution
• Clean skin at injection site with alcohol
• Insert needle into injection site skin
• Pull out needle and apply sterile bandage to stem blood flow
• Discard the needle
• Put the pen back in the refrigerator

Omnitrope Overdose

Generally speaking, most doctors will instruct patients to administer a dose of 0.035 mg/kg body weight daily, which also translates into 1.0 mg/m2 body surface area daily. Daily doses of Omnitrope should not exceed 2.7 mg. Overdose can produce dangerous blood sugar spikes and other harmful effects.

Omnitrope Storage

Omnitrope should always be stored in the refrigerator following reconstitution. The only times it should be outside of the refrigerator after reconstitution are during injection preparation and administration.

The proper refrigeration temperature for Omnitope is 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F). After reconstitution, the contents of the vial must be used within 3 weeks.

What happens if Omnitrope is not refrigerated?

Omnitrope is not suitable for human consumption if it is not refrigerated. If your product has been stored outside of the refrigerator, consult with your doctor to determine what to do to protect your health and ensure continued progress in your therapy.

Omnitrope Drug Interactions

Omnitrope drug interactions are vast. Over 400 drugs are known to interact with Omnitrope – some more severely than others.

The most commonly taken medications that are known to interact with Omnitrope include:

• birth control pills
• insulin and/or oral diabetes medicine
• steroids (dexamethasone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, etc.)

Omnitrope Warnings & Precautions

Patients with the following pre-existing conditions should be barred from undergoing HGH replacement therapy. Doctors should monitor all patients’ progress carefully and ensure that there are none of the following complications that develop from therapy:

• Acute respiratory failure
• Active cancer
• Complications causing acute critical illness resulting from multiple accidental trauma or open-heart or abdominal surgery
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Allergy to any ingredients in Omnitrope

Omnitrope Side Effects

Per the manufacturer, Omnitrope comes with the risk of the following side effects:

• local injection site reactions (pain, numbness, redness and swelling)
• swelling associated with fluid retention
• headaches
• low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)
• high blood sugar (hyperglycemia/diabetes)
• sugar in the urine (glucosuria)
• joint and muscle pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• tingling and numbness
• unusual skin sensations

Other, more serious side effects are rare but may occur, including tumor growth or changes in vision. Ask your doctor about your individual risk factors and discuss any relevant medical history to avoid any serious side effects.