Serostim (Somatropin) belongs to a class of drugs known as growth stimulants. Serostim (Somatropin) is a synthetic version of growth hormone. Growth hormone is made naturally in our bodies by the pituitary gland. Serostim (Somatropin) is used to manage HIV wasting (a metabolic disorder resulting in severe weight loss seen in people with HIV). It works by stimulating an increase in lean body mass (i.e., muscle mass).

Serostim (Somatropin) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Serostim (Somatropin) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Serostim (Somatropin) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Serostim (Somatropin) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Serostim (Somatropin), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Serostim (Somatropin) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Serostim (Somatropin) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Serostim (Somatropin) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

La somatotrophine n'est donnée que par injection. Elle est habituellement injectée sous la peau (voie sous-cutanée). Il est important d'alterner le site d'une fois à l'autre pour minimiser le risque de perte de tissus adipeux au point d'injection.

La dose exacte est basée sur le poids corporel de la personne traitée. La dose recommandée est :

• poids supérieur à 55 kg : 6 mg une fois par jour au coucher;
• 45 kg-55 kg : 5 mg une fois par jour au coucher;
• 35 kg-45 kg : 4 mg une fois par jour au coucher;
• poids inférieur à 35 kg : 0,1 mg/kg une fois par jour au coucher.

Si vous utilisez ce médicament à la maison, votre médecin s'assurera que vous comprenez correctement son mode d'emploi. Ne manquez pas de lui poser toutes vos questions afin de vous assurer que vous l'utilisez conformément à ses indications. Reportez-vous à la notice d'accompagnement du produit pour de plus amples renseignements sur la façon de mélanger le médicament et de l'injecter correctement. Il est important de consulter votre médecin régulièrement au cours du traitement pour vous assurer de l'innocuité et de l'efficacité de la somatotrophine.

Plusieurs facteurs peuvent entrer en ligne de compte pour déterminer la dose dont une personne a besoin : son poids, son état de santé et la prise d'autres médicaments. Si votre médecin a recommandé une dose autre que celles indiquées ici, ne modifiez pas la manière de prendre le médicament sans le consulter au préalable.

Il est très important que ce médicament soit employé conformément aux indications de votre médecin. Si vous oubliez une dose du médicament, consultez votre médecin. N'utilisez pas une double dose pour compenser l'omission d'une dose.

Référez-vous aux directives de conservation qui figurent sur l'emballage du médicament. N'utilisez pas la solution si elle est décolorée ou si elle contient des particules.

Ce médicament doit être conservé à la température ambiante, à l’abri de la lumière (25 °C ou en dessous). Celui-ci doit être injecté dans les 3 heures suivant sa reconstitution avec le diluant fourni. Gardez ce médicament hors de la portée des enfants.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Serostim (Somatropin). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Serostim (Somatropin) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Serostim (Somatropin). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• breast enlargement
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Diarrhea
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain or bloating
• Depression of skin at place of injection
• fast or racing heartbeat
• Fever
• headache
• limp
• nausea and vomiting
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• pain and swelling at site of injection
• pain in hip or knee
• skin rash or itching
• symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe or frequent Headaches with nausea and vomiting or vision problems
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Serostim (Somatropin).

Chaque fiole de poudre stérile contient 5 mg de somatotrophine. Ingrédients non médicinaux : acide phosphorique, hydroxyde de sodium et sucrose.

Do not use Serostim (Somatropin) injection if you:

• are allergic to Serostim (Somatropin) or any ingredients of the medication
• have active cancer
• have a brain tumour
• have an acute illness due to complications of surgery, have respiratory (breathing) failure, or have just had a serious accident
• have certain types of eye damage due to Diabetes (proliferative or preproliferative diabetic retinopathy)
• have diabetes

There may be an interaction between Serostim (Somatropin) and any of the following:

• corticosteroids (e.g., cortisone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• diabetes medications (e.g., Canagliflozin, glipizide, Glyburide, insulin, Linagliptin, Metformin, repalinide, Rosiglitazone)
• estrogen

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Serostim (Somatropin). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Serostim (Somatropin).

Cancer: Treatment with growth hormone may be associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.

Diabetes: Serostim (Somatropin) may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Serostim (Somatropin).

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Serostim (Somatropin) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Serostim (Somatropin), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hypothyroidism (low level of Thyroid hormone): If you have uncontrolled hypothyroidism, treatment with Serostim (Somatropin) may not work as well as it could. Discuss with your doctor how Serostim (Somatropin) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Serostim (Somatropin), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Serostim (Somatropin) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Serostim (Somatropin), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Serostim (Somatropin) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Serostim (Somatropin), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Serostim (Somatropin) in children under the age of 18 years have not been established.