HGH (somatropin)

• Adult growth hormone deficiency (label)recommended

  Label-based: start 0.15 mg/day (0.45 IU at 3.3 mg = 10 IU), raise after 8 weeks by 0.1 mg (to about 0.75 IU), then continue; your prescriber titrates by IGF-I.

• Community IU use (not label-based)

  Community practice, not from a label or trial. Mon-Fri injections at 2 IU, weekends off; the only IU range found was from a secondary clinic page.

• Omnitrope (EU): adult-onset GHD starts 0.15-0.3 mg/day, raised gradually by IGF-I; maintenance rarely exceeds 1.0 mg/day. Over 60 years: start 0.1-0.2 mg/day, maintenance seldom above 0.5 mg/day.
• Genotropin (US): start about 0.2 mg/day (range 0.15-0.3 mg/day), raise every 1-2 months by about 0.1-0.2 mg/day by IGF-I and response.
• Omnitrope label ratio: 3.3 mg = 10 IU per mL (5 mg = 15 IU cartridge; 10 mg = 30 IU; 15 mg = 45 IU). That is one manufacturer's ratio: use your own product's label.
• Community practice, not from a label or trial: 5 days on / 2 off (Mon-Fri) at about 2-6 IU/day per a clinic page.

Route: Subcutaneous, once daily (label products are pen cartridges).

Timing: No reliable figure found in the sources; ask your prescriber or supplier.

• Omnitrope cartridges are premixed liquid (10 IU/mL), used with a pen. The 1.5 mL in the plan is the label cartridge volume, not water to add: 1 IU = 0.1 mL = 10 units on a U-100 syringe.
• Lyophilized vials: community practice, not from a label, uses 1 mL water on a 10 IU vial (1 IU = 0.1 mL) per a clinic page; 'water' here is arithmetic for the same 10 IU/mL.

Omnitrope: after first use keep cartridge in the pen refrigerated for a maximum of 28 days. Reconstituted lyophilized vials: not found in sources.

None for label use: continuous therapy under IGF-I monitoring.

Why:

• Dose is reviewed every 6 months (accuracy check) per Omnitrope label.

• Never draw into the same syringe as another compound; use separate syringes and distinct injection sites.

Prescription-only. Using it outside a diagnosed deficiency is off-label; misuse in sport is prohibited.

Common side effects:

• Fluid retention (peripheral edema, arthralgia) is very common at start; musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia and paraesthesia common (Omnitrope label). May reduce insulin sensitivity.

Stop and call your prescriber if:

• Evidence of tumour activity or growth: do not use / stop (contraindication).
• Hypersensitivity reaction.
• Not for patients with acute critical illness after major surgery, trauma or respiratory failure.
• Symptoms of diabetes or severe, persistent swelling or joint pain.

Labs and monitoring:

• IGF-I (guides titration; target within 2 SDS of age-corrected mean)
• Glucose/diabetes monitoring, especially with risk factors

What sources report this compound changes, or say to check. A record of the evidence, not targets or advice.

• IGF-ICheck itDrug label

  Product information ties dose titration to IGF-I concentration, keeping it within 2 SDS of the age-corrected mean in adult GHD

  Omnitrope EU product information
• Glucose / insulin sensitivityCheck itDrug label

  Somatropin may reduce insulin sensitivity; patients with diabetes, glucose intolerance or diabetes risk factors should be monitored closely

  Omnitrope EU product information
• Thyroid function (T4/T3)Check itDrug label

  Increases conversion of T4 to T3 (T4 may fall, T3 rise); thyroid function monitoring advised in all patients

  Omnitrope EU product information
• Fluid retention (swelling)Reported changeDrug label

  Peripheral oedema and arthralgia are listed as very common in adults

  Omnitrope EU product information

• Omnitrope EU product information (adult posology, IU strengths, storage)
• Genotropin adult GHD dosing (Pfizer)
• Community/clinic page: 5-on/2-off and IU range (secondary, not a label)