The primary and most intensively studied benefit of Omnitrope® in adults and children with GHD is the stimulation of linear growth. In addition to tissue growth, other documented benefits of Omnitrope® include:

• Skeletal Growth
• Cell Growth
• Organ Growth
• Increased protein metabolism
• Improved carbohydrate metabolism
• Improved Lipid Metabolism
• Improved Mineral Metabolism – particularly resulting in an increase in bodily potassium and phosphorus levels
• Improved tissue metabolism – particularly an increase in collagen production

More common – some of the more common side effects of Omnitrope® include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Injection site reactions (redness, soreness, swelling, rash, itching, pain, or bruising),
• Pain in your arms or legs
• Joint stiffness or pain
• Cold-like symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Less common – some of the potentially severe, though less common side effects of Omnitrope® include:

• Severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate
• Increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, and weight loss
• Sudden and severe pain behind your eyes, vision changes
• Swelling in your head, face, hands, or feet
• Numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers

See your medication’s insert for a complete list of potential side-effects.

Your prescription for Omnitrope® will be tailored to best meet your particular goals and lifestyle. You will be carefully monitored over the course of your treatment with Omnitrope®, so any chance of side effects should be kept to a minimum. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of these or other side effects while taking Omnitrope®.

Overdose

Overdose can cause tremors or shaking, cold sweats, increased hunger, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, and nausea. Long-term overdose may cause excessive growth.

As with any medication, in case of accidental overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Keep Omnitrope® and all prescription medications out of the reach of children.

According to its manufacturer, Omnitrope® should not be used in children and adults with any of the following medical conditions because serious side effects, including death, can occur:

• A critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, serious injury or a sudden and severe breathing problem (respiratory failure)
• Prader-Willi syndrome sufferers who are severely overweight or have a history of breathing problems including sleep apnea
• Cancer or other tumors
• Allergies to growth hormone or any of the ingredients in the medicine
• Certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes
• Omnitrope® should also not be used in children who have completed their growth

Before accepting a prescription for Omnitrope®, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a growth hormone medicine, or to drug preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, metacresol or glycerin.

In addition to the contraindications listed above, you should not take Omnitrope® if you are allergic to somatropin, or if you have:

• Diabetic retinopathy (a serious eye condition caused by diabetes)
• Recently undergone open heart surgery or stomach surgery
• Recently experienced trauma or other medical emergency
• Breathing problems (such as lung failure).

To make sure you can safely take Omnitrope®, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
• A pituitary gland disorder
• Scoliosis;
• High blood pressure (hypertension);
• A pancreas disorder (especially in children)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Underactive thyroid

How to Use

Omnitrope® is injected into a muscle or under the skin. You will be shown exactly how to administer your Omnitrope® injections. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

• Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor
• Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
• Follow the directions on your prescription label
• Use a different place on your body each time you give the injection
• Do not inject this medicine into skin or muscle that is red, sore, infected, or injured

If using the vial form:

• Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine
• When mixing use a gentle swirling motion.
• Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
• Use a disposable needle only once
• Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your doctor or pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it)
• Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets

To further assist with the Omnitrope® injection process, you may download this convenient Omnitrope® Administration Guide provided by the manufacturer. Sandoz also provides instructional videos on how to inject Omnitrope®

Dosage*

The daily dosage of Omnitrope® varies by your age, weight and the condition it is being prescribed for. The weekly dose is usually divided over 6 or 7 days of subcutaneous injections. For most adult patients with GHD, the recommended dosage at the start of therapy is not more than 0.04 mg/kg/week given as a daily subcutaneous injection. According to the Prescribing Information provided by the National Institutes for Health, Omnitrope® should be administered subcutaneously as follows:

• Pediatric GHD: 0.16 to 0.24 mg/kg/week, divided into 6 to 7 daily injections
• Prader-Willi Syndrome: 0.24 mg/kg/week, divided into 6 to 7 daily injections
• Small for Gestational Age: Up to 0.48 mg/kg/week, divided into 6 to 7 daily injections
• Turner Syndrome: 0.33 mg/kg/week, divided into 6 to 7 daily injections
• Idiopathic Short Stature: Up to 0.47 mg/kg/week, divided into 6 to 7 daily injections
• Adult GHD: not more than 0.04 mg/kg/week (divided into daily injections) to be increased as tolerated to not more than 0.08 mg/kg/week); to be increased gradually every 1 to 2 months
• OMNITROPE® Cartridges 5 mg/1.5 mL and 10 mg/1.5 mL must be used with the corresponding OMNITROPE® Pen 5 and Pen 10 delivery system, respectively
• Injection sites should always be rotated to avoid lipoatrophy ( 2.3)

*Dosing information is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as any kind of instructions for use. Consult your physician or pharmacist for guidance regarding your particular dose of Omnitrope®

Sources:
http://www.Omnitrope.com/
https://www.rxlist.com/Omnitrope-drug.htm