Somatropin (HGH)

Somatropin — Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rhGH)

Evidence & Status

  • FDA Approved
  • Strong Human Evidence
  • Strong

At a Glance

Recombinant human growth hormone used in multiple FDA-approved products for growth hormone deficiency and other product-specific indications. It is one of the best-established therapeutic proteins in the growth hormone/IGF-1 field.

Plain English

Somatropin is the pharmaceutical form of human growth hormone. Doctors use approved somatropin products for conditions such as growth hormone deficiency and certain pediatric growth disorders, while some brands have other specific indications. Researchers also use somatropin as a reference for studying how growth hormone influences growth, body composition, bone, metabolism, and IGF-1 signaling.

Overview

Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone, a 191-amino-acid protein corresponding to human growth hormone. FDA-approved somatropin products are used for growth hormone deficiency and several other growth-related conditions, with specific indications varying by product. Some formulations also carry distinct indications outside growth disorders, such as HIV-associated wasting. Somatropin acts directly through growth hormone receptors and indirectly through stimulation of IGF-1 production, making it a foundational reference compound for understanding the growth hormone/IGF-1 axis.

Research Summary

Somatropin has direct human evidence in adults with confirmed growth hormone deficiency, including a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of growth hormone replacement and body-composition outcomes. NORDITROPIN provides the product-specific U.S. regulatory anchor; other somatropin products may have different indications, devices, strengths, storage, or dosing instructions. Somatropin is not an approved anti-aging treatment, and anti-aging, bodybuilding, or performance promotion are not established indications.

Research Areas

  • GH deficiency
  • Growth disorders
  • HIV wasting
  • Body composition
  • Bone density
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • IGF-1 axis

Safety & Risks

Serious Risks

  • Somatropin is contraindicated in active malignancy; patients with prior malignancy require appropriate monitoring for recurrence or progression
  • Acute critical illness after major surgery, trauma, or acute respiratory failure is a labeled contraindication for pharmacologic somatropin doses because increased mortality was observed in trials
  • Somatropin can reduce insulin sensitivity and may unmask or worsen glucose intolerance or diabetes
  • Intracranial hypertension has been reported, particularly in pediatric patients
  • Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and progression of scoliosis can occur during rapid growth in pediatric patients
  • In pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who have severe obesity or severe respiratory impairment, somatropin is contraindicated because sudden deaths have been reported

Reported Side Effects

  • Fluid retention / edema
  • Arthralgia
  • Myalgia
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Injection site reactions
  • Headache
  • Hyperglycemia / reduced insulin sensitivity
United States
NORDITROPIN is a prescription somatropin product with product-specific U.S. indications; somatropin products are not interchangeable labels.
United Kingdom
Product- and jurisdiction-specific; this record does not assert a universal somatropin label.
Australia
Product- and jurisdiction-specific; this record does not assert a universal somatropin label.
Canada
Product- and jurisdiction-specific; this record does not assert a universal somatropin label.

Citations & Sources