Norditropin SIMPLEXx

What is it?

A growth hormone available as a solution in cartridges for use with a pen device, containing 5mg, 10mg and 15mg of somatotropin per 1.5ml.

Medical Uses

Failure of growth in children due to growth hormone deficiency, Turner's syndrome, retarded growth in children with chronic kidney disease (before puberty), replacement therapy in adults with pronounced and proven growth hormone deficiency.

Dosage

Adults, 0.15 to 0.3mg at first, by subcutaneous injection, can be gradually increased at 1 month intervals according to individual needs and response to a maximum of lg each day. Children, deficiency in growth hormone, 25 to 35µg per kg of body weight each day; Turner's syndrome, 50µg per kg of body weight; Chronic kidney disease, 50µg per kg of body weight, altered according to response. All by subcutaneous injection.

Special Care

Diabetes, deficiency of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormones), intrancranial lesion. Check thyroid function and in chronic kidney disease, monitor for significant decline in kidney function.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, tumour, closure of epiphyses (head of long bones, in young, growth hormone deficient patients), kidney transplantation (chronic kidney disease).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Drugs metabolisedby CYP3A4, glucocorticoid therapy.

Known Side Effects

Fluid retention, swelling in peripheral areas due to fluid build up, underactive thyroid gland, benign raised pressure within skull, muscle and joint pains, numbness/tingling; 'pins and needles' sensation.