Somatropin
| Drug Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | |||
| Identifiers
ChemSpider ID UNII ChEBI
|
Chemical Data
C H N O Molecular Weight | ||
Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone important for the growth of bones and muscles. It is used to treat growth hormone deficiency and certain conditions that cause short stature, such as Turner syndrome, chronic kidney disease, Prader-Willi syndrome, and children who are small for gestational age.
Medical uses[edit | edit source]
Somatropin is indicated for multiple conditions, including:
- Growth hormone deficiency in children and adults
- Turner syndrome
- Chronic kidney disease
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Children who were small for gestational age
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
Somatropin works by mimicking the effects of natural growth hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland. It binds to growth hormone receptors on cells, which stimulates cell growth, reproduction, and regeneration.
Administration[edit | edit source]
Somatropin is administered through subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. The dosage and frequency of administration depend on the age, weight, and condition being treated.
Side effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of somatropin include:
- Injection site reactions
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Increased risk of diabetes
More serious side effects may include increased risk of cancer, particularly in those who have undergone radiation treatment to the brain.
Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]
Somatropin has a high bioavailability when administered intravenously and slightly lower when administered subcutaneously. It is metabolized primarily in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
Regulation[edit | edit source]
Somatropin is classified as a prescription medication and is regulated by various national drug agencies. Its use in sports is banned by most major sporting bodies due to its muscle-building properties.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
