Genotropin is used in cases of growth deficiency: growth hormone deficiency (pituitary dwarfism), gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome), at puberty in patients with chronic renal failure (with a decrease in the function of more than 50%); hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency in adults (deficiency of pituitary hormones other than prolactin).
Genotropin is released as:
- lyophilisate for solution for subcutaneous injection of 5.3 mg 16 IU;
- lyophilisate for solution for subcutaneous injection of 12 mg;
- cartridge with a solvent two-piece box.
Genotropin injector cartridge Pen® 5,3 consists of two parts. One contains lyophilisate with an active substance of recombinant somatropin 6.1 mg (18,4 ME) and excipients. The second has a solvent.
Genotropin cartridge Pen® injector 12 consists of two parts too. One contains lyophilisate with an active substance of recombinant somatropin 13.8 mg (41,4 ME) and excipients. The second has a solvent.
You can also be provided with a pre-filled ‘GoQuick’ pen. The multi-dose pens are easy to use with a digital display letting you select the appropriate dose without fuss – the solution can be mixed inside them as well. Genotropin cartridges and pens are color-coded to make them easy to match. The 5mg cartridges and Pen 5 come in green, while the 12mg cartridges and Pen 12 are purple.
Preparation for Genotropin administration
Some brands of this medication are given by injection into a muscle or under the skin.
If you are interested in how to use Genotropin 5.3 mg, how to use Genotropin pen 12 mg and how to use Genotropin cartridge, read the following guide on how to use Genotropin Pfizer:
Genotropin® 5.3 mg (16 IU) and 12 mg (36 IU) is administered under the skin via injectors Genotropin® Pen 5.3 and Genotropin® Pen 12 respectively. Once the cartridge is inserted into the injector, drug dilution occurs automatically. Do not shake the solution after this.
One of the most important factors in how to use Genotropin pen is to apply this reusable injector only after the doctor or nurse will teach you this or you will read the guide on how to use Pfizer Genotropin pen or how to use Genotropin goquick pen. Carefully follow the instructions on how to use Genotropin goquick or how to use Genotropin pen 5.3 and 12 mg. In case of any problems, contact a doctor or nurse.
How To Inject Genotropin Into A Muscle
Genotropin injections should be done at night, because at night the body produces the largest number of hormones.
Attention! Make sure that you know how to use the Genotropin pen and that a new needle is attached to the front of the injector before using a new cartridge.
How to use Genotropin miniquick
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and use rubbing alcohol or disinfectant to wipe the rubber stopper on the MiniQuick.
- The injection needle will have a paper covering. Take this paper off, but leave the protective caps ON the needle.
- Screw the needle into the MiniQuick device and keep turning until it won't turn anymore.
- Hold the Miniquick device so that the needle is pointing upwards, towards the ceiling. There is a plunger on the bottom of the device (opposite to the needle.) Turn this plunger to the right (clockwise) until it won't turn anymore. This mixes the Genotropin powder with the liquid so you will be able to inject it.
- Set the dose.
- Make an injection by pressing the injection button until it stops.
Most often, intramuscular injections are performed in the muscles of the buttocks, at least - at the abdomen and thighs. It is necessary to change the place of injection to prevent lipoatrophy.
Proper dosage for Genotropin injections
Dosage and mode of use should be individual. The starting dose for adults with growth hormone deficiency is 0.15-0.3 mg (0.45-0.9 ME) / day. The maintenance dose is selected individually according to age and sex. It rarely exceeds 1.3 mg (4 ME) / day. Women may require higher doses than men. Since the normal physiological growth hormone production decreases with aging, the dose can be reduced according to age.
Clinical and side effects, as well as the determination of IGF-1 levels in serum can be used as guidance for dose selection.
In case of growth violation due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone in children, the recommended dose is 0,025-0,035 mg / kg body weight per day or 0,7-1,0 mg / m² body surface area per day. There is experience with even higher doses.
In the case of growth hormone deficiency in childhood that persists into adolescence, the treatment should continue to achieve full somatic development (e.g. body structure, bone mass).
In case of Prader-Willi syndrome, to improve growth and body structure, the dose is 0,035 mg / kg body weight per day (1.0 mg / m2 body surface area per day). Do not exceed the daily dose of 2.7 mg.
In case of Turner syndrome, the recommended intake is 0,045-0,050 mg / kg body weight per day or 1.4 mg / m² body surface area per day.
In case of growth violation, accompanied by chronic renal failure, the recommended intake is 0,045-0,050 mg / kg body weight per day (1.4 mg / m² body surface area per day). Insufficient growth rate may require higher doses. Dose adjustments may be required after 6 months of treatment.
The recommended dose in case of growth disorder in children of small stature who were born with low birth weight for their gestational age is 0.035 mg / kg body weight per day (1 mg / m² body surface area per day) to reach the final growth.
Treatment should be discontinued after the first year if the value of the standard deviation for the growth rate is less than one. Treatment should be stopped if the growth rate is less than 2 cm per year, the bone age is more than 14 years for girls, or more than 16 years - for boys.
For patients who continue growth hormone therapy after the onset growth hormone deficiency, the recommended dose is 0.2-0.5 mg per day. The dose should gradually be increased or decreased depending on the individual needs of the patient, determined by the concentration of IGF-1.
For patients with growth hormone deficiency in adults, therapy should be started with a low dose of 0,15-0,3 mg per day. The dose should be gradually increased depending on the individual needs of the patient, determined by the concentration of IGF-1.
After injection
After the injection, withdraw the needle, replace the safety cap.
Your injector requires no special maintenance. Injector can be cleaned on the outside with a soft cloth. Do not use alcohol, solvents or detergents, as they may damage the plastic.
Genotropin Pen should be stored in a case without a needle. The injection button should be in a pressed (closed) position.
Store information
Genotropin Pen without cartridge can be stored at temperature +15 - + 25 ° C and the cartridge should be stored in a refrigerator at +2 - + 8 ° C.
Shelf life: 3 years.
Do not use after the expiration date.
