What It Is and What It Treats
Genotropin GoQuick contains somatropin, a synthetic version
of human growth hormone (hGH) produced by recombinant DNA technology. It is
structurally and functionally identical to the growth hormone produced by the
pituitary gland.
It is used to treat:
• Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in
children and adults
• Turner syndrome in girls
• Prader-Willi syndrome — with specific
pre-treatment safety requirements
• Short stature in children born small
for gestational age (SGA) who have not caught up
• Short stature due to chronic renal
insufficiency in children
• Short bowel syndrome in adults (as
adjunct to specialist nutritional support)
Dosing and Administration
Doses are individually tailored — weight-based in children
and IGF-1-guided in adults.
• Children with GHD: typically
0.025–0.035 mg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection
• Adults with GHD: starting dose
0.15–0.3 mg/day, adjusted according to IGF-1 levels and clinical response
• Administer by subcutaneous (SC)
injection — rotate sites across the abdomen, thighs, and upper arm to prevent
lipohypertrophy
• Preferred timing: evening injection
to mimic the body's natural growth hormone secretion pattern
Using the GoQuick Pen
The GoQuick is a two-chamber pre-filled pen. Upon
preparation, it automatically mixes the lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder with
the diluent. Follow the device instructions carefully. Do not share pens or
needles between patients.
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PATIENT TIP:
Refrigerate
at 2–8°C before first use. After first use, the pen may be stored at room
temperature (up to 25°C) for a maximum of 28 days. Never freeze. Discard 28
days after first use, even if the solution remains. |
Side Effects
|
Frequency |
Side Effects |
|
Common |
Injection site reactions (redness, swelling,
pain), mild fluid retention (especially at initiation), headache, joint and
muscle aches |
|
Less Common |
Carpal tunnel syndrome, hypothyroidism,
glucose intolerance (reduced insulin sensitivity), lipohypertrophy at
injection sites |
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Serious — Seek Urgent Help |
Increased intracranial pressure: severe
persistent headache, visual disturbances, nausea/vomiting — requires prompt
ophthalmological and neurological assessment. Slipped capital femoral
epiphysis (children): hip or knee pain, or limp. Pancreatitis: severe
abdominal pain. Scoliosis progression in children. |
Contraindications and Cautions
• Active malignancy — somatropin is
contraindicated until cancer treatment is complete and sustained remission is
achieved
• Closed epiphyses — do not use to
promote growth once growth plates have fused (except for adult GHD)
• Acute critical illness following open
heart surgery, abdominal surgery, or respiratory failure
• Prader-Willi syndrome with severe
obesity or respiratory impairment — evaluate for sleep apnoea before
initiating; risk of sudden death has been reported
• Active proliferative or severe
non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
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CAUTION:
Somatropin
can increase insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. Patients with
diabetes or glucose intolerance require close monitoring and possible
antidiabetic dose adjustment during treatment. |
Key Drug Interactions
• Glucocorticoids (e.g. prednisolone):
chronic use inhibits somatropin's growth-promoting effects. If
supraphysiological steroid doses are unavoidable, the somatropin dose may need
to be increased.
• Insulin and oral antidiabetics:
somatropin reduces insulin sensitivity — dose adjustments may be needed.
Monitor blood glucose carefully.
• Oestrogen replacement therapy (oral):
reduces somatropin bioavailability; higher somatropin doses may be required.
Transdermal oestrogen has less impact.
• CYP450 substrates with a narrow
therapeutic index (e.g. anticonvulsants, ciclosporin): somatropin may alter
their metabolism. Monitor drug levels accordingly.
Clinical Monitoring Schedule
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PRESCRIBER NOTE Paediatric monitoring: height and weight at
every clinic visit; IGF-1 levels 4–6 weekly until stable; thyroid function
(TSH, fT4) every 6 months; fasting glucose and HbA1c annually; fundoscopy if
headaches or visual changes occur. Adult GHD: IGF-1 levels, fasting glucose,
lipid profile, bone density (DEXA), and body composition annually. |
Storage
• Unreconstituted pen: refrigerate at
2–8°C. After first use: room temperature up to 25°C for a maximum of 28 days.
Never freeze. Protect from light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Genotropin GoQuick used for?
It is used to treat
growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, and other conditions causing
poor growth, including Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
Q: How do I prepare and give the injection?
The GoQuick pen mixes
the powder and liquid automatically when prepared. Inject subcutaneously (under
the skin) into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites each time. Give
in the evening to mimic the body's natural rhythm.
Q: Does growth hormone therapy increase the risk of cancer?
There is no established
evidence that somatropin causes cancer in patients without pre-existing
malignancy. However, it is contraindicated in active cancer and in patients
with a history of certain cancers — your specialist will assess individual
risk.
Q: Can adults take somatropin?
Yes. Adults with
confirmed growth hormone deficiency (typically due to pituitary disease)
benefit from somatropin therapy at lower doses than children. It improves body
composition, bone density, lipid profiles, and quality of life.