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Serostim

side effects drug center serostim (somatropin (rdna origin)) drug - patient side effects and images

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    • Serostim Patient Information Including Side Effects

    Brand Names: Genotropin, Genotropin Miniquick, Humatrope, Norditropin, Norditropin Cartridge, Norditropin FlexPro Pen, Norditropin Nordiflex Pen, Nutropin, Nutropin AQ, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 10, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 20, Nutropin AQ NuSpin 5, Nutropin AQ Pen 10 Cartridge, Nutropin AQ Pen 20 Cartridge, Omnitrope, Omnitrope Pen 10 Cartridge, Omnitrope Pen 5 Cartridge, Saizen, Saizen Click-Easy, Saizen Kit, Serostim, Tev-tropin, Zomacton, Zorbtive

    Generic Name: somatropin

    What is somatropin?

    Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone important for the growth of bones and muscles.

    Somatropin is used to treat growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone. This includes people with short stature due to Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, short stature at birth with no catch-up growth, and other causes.

    Somatropin is also used in adults to treat short bowel syndrome, or to prevent severe weight loss related to AIDS.

    Somatropin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

    What are the possible side effects of somatropin?

    Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

    Serious breathing problems may occur in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who use 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.

    Also call your doctor at once if you have:

    • pain in your knees or hips, walking with a limp;
    • ear pain, swelling, warmth, or drainage;
    • numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers;
    • severe swelling or puffiness in your hands and feet;
    • changes in behavior;
    • vision problems, unusual headaches;
    • changes in the shape or size of a mole;
    • pain or swelling in your joints;
    • pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
    • high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
    • increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
    • signs of an adrenal gland problem--extreme weakness, severe dizziness, weight loss, changes in skin color, feeling very weak or tired.

    Common side effects may include:

    This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    What is the most important information I should know about somatropin?

    You should not use somatropin if you have cancer, diabetic retinopathy, or if you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems. You should not use somatropin if you have a serious illness due to lung failure or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma.

    Serostim Patient Information including How Should I Take

    What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using somatropin?

    You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to somatropin or benzyl alcohol, or if you have:

    • a serious illness due to lung failure, or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma;
    • active cancer;
    • eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy); or
    • you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems (including sleep apnea).

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

    In some cases, somatropin should not be used in a child. Certain brands of somatropin contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    Somatropin may contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

    How should I use somatropin?

    Your dose and brand of somatropin, and how often you use it will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

    Somatropin is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

    Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use somatropin if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

    Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not shake the medicine. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

    If your medicine comes with a syringe, cartridge, or injection pen, use only that device to give your medicine.

    You may need frequent medical tests.

    Follow any diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor to help control your condition.

    How you store this medicine will depend on the somatropin brand and the diluent you are using. 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.

    Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

    Serostim Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

    What happens if I miss a dose?

    Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

    Call your doctor if you miss more than 3 doses in a row.

    What happens if I overdose?

    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 should I avoid while using somatropin?

    If you use Zorbtive to treat short bowel syndrome, avoid drinking fruit juices or soda beverages.

    Avoid drinking alcohol if you have short bowel syndrome. Alcohol can irritate your stomach and could make your condition worse.

    What other drugs will affect somatropin?

    Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

    This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect somatropin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

    Where can I get more information?

    Your pharmacist can provide more information about somatropin.

    Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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