Growth Hormone Brands
*Click on the brand name to visit the company's website Genotropin
Company: Pfizer, IncCase Manager: Bernadette Owens Phone Number: 1-800-645-1280 Ext 5819 Humatrope Company: Eli Lilly/ Humatrope Direct Connect Case Manager: La' Tanaya Lee Phone Number: 1-844-862-8767 Opt 1 Ext 6984 Increlex Company: IPSEN Biopharmaceuticals Inc. Case Manager: Shay Phone Number: 1-866-435-5677 Norditropin Company: Novo Nordisk, Inc Case Manager: Nicholas Buckman Phone Number: 1-888-668-6444 ext 41360 Fax: 1-888-508-8200 |
Nutropin Company: Genentech Case Manager: Frances Logan Phone Number: 866-688-7674 Opt 1 Ext 5027 Omnitrope Company: Sandoz Case Manager: Thresa Moore Phone Number: 1-877-456-6794 Opt 2 Saizen Company: Sandoz, Inc. Case Manager: Pam Rossi Phone Number: 1-800-582-7989 Zomacton Company: Ferring Pharmaceuticles Case Manager: Phone Number: 1-844-944-9646 Skytrofa Company: Ascendis Website: skytrofa.com |
Growth Hormone Devices
Just as there are different brands of growth hormone treatments exist, there are various methods of injection for each brand. Below, each injection device is listed by category along with the growth hormone it was designed to deliver. There are three categories: electronic, pens and needle-free devices. Together, with your healthcare provider you can select the one that fits your child best.
Not every injection device is appropriate for every child. Your doctor will recommend options that are right for your child's age, weight, acceptance of needles, ability to bruise, other medical conditions like a blood disorder and your health insurance plan. Device use requires training and adult supervision. Injection site reactions can occur.
LONG ACTING GROWH HORMONE - SKYTROFA
Discussion at Skytrofa - before the first injection
Learn the injection technique properly
Please make sure you get contact information for any kind of follow up for learning about injections
Please read the patient information in detail and do not hesitate to ask any questions now or during your follow u visit
Administration Instructions
SKYTROFA is available in 9 cartridges (dosage strengths in somatropin equivalents). Selection of the appropriate cartridge is based on the prescribed dose (mg/kg) and the patient's body weight (kg).
11.5 – 13.9 3
14 – 16.4 3.6
16.5 – 19.9 4.3
20 – 23.9 5.2
24 – 28.9 6.3
29 – 34.9 7.6
35 – 41.9 9.1
42 – 50.9 11
51 – 60.4 13.3
60.5 – 69.9 15.2 (using two cartridges of 7.6 mg each)
70 – 84.9 18.2 (using two cartridges of 9.1 mg each)
85 – 100 22 (using two cartridges of 11 mg each
Preparation and Administration
Missed Doses
Important information to remember with Growth hormone treatment
1. Growth hormone approvals and re-authorizations: After we submit our request for growth hormone therapy, it takes time before the child is actually started on medication. The final decision of Growth hormone therapy approval is by the child's insurance coverage. There is no way to assure, the timing of the approval process, even though we will do our best to get a timely approval. Meanwhile we request the family to stay on top with all follow up appointments, answering phone calls/messages from various parties, supplying all the necessary information. Please check with our insurance regarding your share of cost
2. NEEDS SCOLIOSIS SCREEN DURING ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM IN PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE OFFICE AND IF NEED BE TO ORDER SCOLIOSIS SCREENING RADIOLOGY EXAM
3, Adverse and Side effects of GH discussed: Information about GH side effects given. Information of various side effects including pseudo tumor cerebri, slipped femoral epiphysis, increased incidence of secondary tumors, risk of insulin resistance, possible risk of slight increase in cancer (controversial and not always agreed upon). Need for regular scoliosis screen emphasized. Contraindications of GH discussed: Not to use GH at times of acute illness, hospitalization, any malignancy, relapse of tumor, sleep apnea explained
Web resources for reference given
4. Adverse and Side effects of GH discussed: Information about GH side effects given. Information of various side effects including pseudo tumor cerebri, slipped femoral epiphysis, increased incidence of secondary tumors, risk of insulin resistance, possible risk of slight increase in cancer (controversial and not always agreed upon). Need for regular scoliosis screen emphasized. 5. Contraindications of GH discussed: Not to use GH at times of acute illness, hospitalization, any malignancy, relapse of tumor, sleep apnea explained
Web resources for reference given
6. FIRST DAY OF MEDICATION: Detailed revisit of therapy, side effects, web resources, support groups given. Importance of consistency with therapy discussed. Importance of regular appointments and follow ups along with necessary dose changes explained. Explained the importance of contacting us for any side effects emphasized. Also explained that these appointments do not replace their regular physicals with primary care physicians
Not every injection device is appropriate for every child. Your doctor will recommend options that are right for your child's age, weight, acceptance of needles, ability to bruise, other medical conditions like a blood disorder and your health insurance plan. Device use requires training and adult supervision. Injection site reactions can occur.
LONG ACTING GROWH HORMONE - SKYTROFA
Discussion at Skytrofa - before the first injection
Learn the injection technique properly
Please make sure you get contact information for any kind of follow up for learning about injections
Please read the patient information in detail and do not hesitate to ask any questions now or during your follow u visit
Administration Instructions
SKYTROFA is available in 9 cartridges (dosage strengths in somatropin equivalents). Selection of the appropriate cartridge is based on the prescribed dose (mg/kg) and the patient's body weight (kg).
- If prescribing a dose of 0.24 mg/kg/week and the patient's weight is 11.5 to 100 kg, follow the recommended dosing in Table 1.
- If prescribing a dose other than 0.24 mg/kg/week, calculate the total weekly dose (in mg) and select the appropriate cartridge as follows:
–
Total weekly dose (mg) = prescribed weekly dose (mg/kg) × patient's body weight (kg).
–
Round the total weekly dose (mg) to the closest cartridge dose while also considering treatment goals and clinical response.
11.5 – 13.9 3
14 – 16.4 3.6
16.5 – 19.9 4.3
20 – 23.9 5.2
24 – 28.9 6.3
29 – 34.9 7.6
35 – 41.9 9.1
42 – 50.9 11
51 – 60.4 13.3
60.5 – 69.9 15.2 (using two cartridges of 7.6 mg each)
70 – 84.9 18.2 (using two cartridges of 9.1 mg each)
85 – 100 22 (using two cartridges of 11 mg each
Preparation and Administration
- The SKYTROFA cartridge has been designed for use only with the SKYTROFA Auto-Injector.
- If refrigerated, the SKYTROFA cartridge must be kept at room temperature for 15 minutes before use.
- The SKYTROFA Auto-Injector provides a fully automated reconstitution of the lyophilized drug product which is followed by a manual mixing step controlled by the device. When the injection needle is inserted into the skin, the device automatically delivers the drug product. The built-in electronics and software assist the user during the entire preparation and injection sequence and provide confirmation that the full dose has been delivered.
- The mixed solution should be clear and colorless to opalescent and may occasionally contain air bubbles. DO NOT inject if the solution is cloudy or contains particulate matter.
- Use SKYTROFA cartridges within 4 hours after reconstitution. Discard reconstituted SKYTROFA cartridges after 4 hours when stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C).
- Inject SKYTROFA subcutaneously into the abdomen, buttock, or thigh. Rotate injection sites between and within regions to reduce the risk of lipoatrophy.
Missed Doses
- Administer a missed dose as soon as possible and not more than 2 days after the missed dose.
- To avoid missed doses, SKYTROFA can be taken 2 days before or 2 days after the scheduled dosing day. Resume once-weekly dosing for the next dose at the previously scheduled dosing day.
- If more than 2 days have passed from the scheduled day, skip the dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day.
- At least 5 days should elapse between doses.
Important information to remember with Growth hormone treatment
1. Growth hormone approvals and re-authorizations: After we submit our request for growth hormone therapy, it takes time before the child is actually started on medication. The final decision of Growth hormone therapy approval is by the child's insurance coverage. There is no way to assure, the timing of the approval process, even though we will do our best to get a timely approval. Meanwhile we request the family to stay on top with all follow up appointments, answering phone calls/messages from various parties, supplying all the necessary information. Please check with our insurance regarding your share of cost
2. NEEDS SCOLIOSIS SCREEN DURING ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM IN PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE OFFICE AND IF NEED BE TO ORDER SCOLIOSIS SCREENING RADIOLOGY EXAM
3, Adverse and Side effects of GH discussed: Information about GH side effects given. Information of various side effects including pseudo tumor cerebri, slipped femoral epiphysis, increased incidence of secondary tumors, risk of insulin resistance, possible risk of slight increase in cancer (controversial and not always agreed upon). Need for regular scoliosis screen emphasized. Contraindications of GH discussed: Not to use GH at times of acute illness, hospitalization, any malignancy, relapse of tumor, sleep apnea explained
Web resources for reference given
4. Adverse and Side effects of GH discussed: Information about GH side effects given. Information of various side effects including pseudo tumor cerebri, slipped femoral epiphysis, increased incidence of secondary tumors, risk of insulin resistance, possible risk of slight increase in cancer (controversial and not always agreed upon). Need for regular scoliosis screen emphasized. 5. Contraindications of GH discussed: Not to use GH at times of acute illness, hospitalization, any malignancy, relapse of tumor, sleep apnea explained
Web resources for reference given
6. FIRST DAY OF MEDICATION: Detailed revisit of therapy, side effects, web resources, support groups given. Importance of consistency with therapy discussed. Importance of regular appointments and follow ups along with necessary dose changes explained. Explained the importance of contacting us for any side effects emphasized. Also explained that these appointments do not replace their regular physicals with primary care physicians
Electronic Device
Device name
easypod® from EMD Serono |
Growth hormone used with device
Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] |
Needle-Free
Device name
cool.click®2 from EMD Serono Tjet® from Teva Select Brands |
Growth hormone used with device
Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Tev-Tropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] |
Pens
Device name one.click® from EMD Serono HumatroPen® from Eli Lilly Nutropin AQ NuSpin™ from Genentech Nutropin AQ Pen® from Genentech FlexPro® from Novo Nordisk NordiFlex® from Novo Nordisk NordiPen® from Novo Nordisk Genotropin Pen® from Pfizer Genotropin Miniquick® from Pfizer Omnitrope® Pen from Sandoz Skytrofa Autoinjector from Ascendis |
Growth hormone used with device
Saizen® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Humatrope® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Nutropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Norditropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Norditropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Norditropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Genotropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Genotropin® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] Omnitrope® [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] |