Zorbtive

Generic Name: somatropin, mammalian derived (Subcutaneous route, Injection route)

soe-ma-TROE-pin, mam-MAY-lee-un dee-RIVED

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Saizen


• Serostim


• Zorbtive

In Canada

• Nutropin


• Nutropin Aq

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Somatropin

Uses For Zorbtive

Somatropin is a man-made version of human growth hormone. Growth hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is necessary to stimulate growth in children. Man-made growth hormone may be used in adults or children who have growth failure caused by growth hormone deficiency (inability to produce enough growth hormone).

Somatropin is also used together with a proper diet to treat short bowel syndrome (SBS), which is a condition that prevents the intestine or gut from absorbing food properly.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Zorbtive

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of somatropin in children with growth hormone deficiency.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of somatropin in children with short bowel syndrome. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of somatropin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of somatropin, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving somatropin.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Brain tumor or


• Cancer, active or


• Closed epiphyses (normal bone growth stopped) in children or


• Diabetic retinopathy (eye condition) or


• Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic disorder), if severely overweight or have severe breathing problems or


• Severe illness after surgery or major medical emergency (e.g., open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, accidental trauma, or respiratory failure)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions .

• Cancer, history of or


• Fluid retention, history of or


• Hypopituitarism (pituitary gland produces low hormone levels) or


• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or


• Otitis media (ear infection) in children, history of or


• Scoliosis (abnormally curved spine)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse .

• Diabetes, or a family history of—Use with caution. May prevent insulin from working properly .

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—Effects of somatropin may be increased because of slower removal from the body .

• Turner syndrome—May increase risk of having thyroid problems .

Proper Use of somatropin, mammalian derived

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain somatropin, mammalian derived. It may not be specific to Zorbtive. Please read with care.

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a muscle. Somatropin may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how the medicine is prepared and injected.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

If you are using this medicine to treat short bowel syndrome, carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. Take all other medicines or supplements your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form:
  
  • For treatment of growth hormone deficiency:
    
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is not more than 0.005 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 0.06 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, given three times per week and injected under the skin or into a muscle. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
  
  
  • For treatment of short bowel syndrome:
    
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 0.1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin once a day for 4 weeks. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store unopened vials of this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

Store the medicine that has been mixed in the refrigerator. The Saizen® vials and Zorbtive® that has been mixed should be used within 14 days. The Saizen® click.easy® cartridge that has been mixed should be used within 21 days. Make sure you understand how long you can store the medicine after it has been mixed. Throw away any mixed medicine that has not been used within this time.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Precautions While Using Zorbtive

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; trouble with breathing; or chest pain after you get the injection.

This medicine may cause a dislocation in the hip bone, especially in patients with growth hormone deficiency or Turner syndrome. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has a limp or pain in the hip or knee.

Pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: bloating; chills; constipation; darkened urine; fast heartbeat; fever; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea; pains in stomach, side, or abdomen possibly radiating to the back; vomiting; or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions.

This medicine may cause an increased pressure in the head. Check with your doctor immediately if headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or any other change in vision occurs during treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause fluid retention (extra water in the body). Tell your doctor if you have burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger; swelling of the hands and feet; or pain, swelling, or stiffness of the muscles. Your doctor may adjust your dose to reduce these side effects.

This medicine is usually mixed with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection. You should not use Bacteriostatic Water for Injection if you have had an allergic reaction to benzyl alcohol. If this is a concern, ask your doctor about other ways to mix this medicine.

Zorbtive Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Abnormal or decreased touch sensation


• bleeding after defecation


• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site


• bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet


• blood in urine


• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• changes in skin color


• cold flu-like symptoms


• cold hands and feet


• confusion


• constipation


• cough or hoarseness


• darkened urine


• decreased urination


• diarrhea


• difficult urination


• difficulty in moving


• dizziness


• dry mouth


• fainting or loss of consciousness


• fast heartbeat


• fast or irregular breathing


• feeling unusually cold


• fever or chills


• frequent or painful urination


• full or bloated feeling


• general feeling of discomfort or illness


• headache


• increase in heart rate


• indigestion


• itching


• joint pain


• light-colored stools


• lightheadedness


• loss of appetite


• lower back or side pain


• muscle aching or cramping


• muscle pain or stiffness


• nausea


• pain


• pain or burning while urinating


• pain, redness, or swelling in arm or leg


• pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back


• pressure in the stomach


• rapid, shallow breathing


• rapid weight gain


• rectal bleeding


• runny nose


• shivering


• skin rash


• sneezing


• sore mouth or tongue


• sore throat


• stomach bloating, burning, cramping, or pain


• sudden decrease in amount of urine


• sunken eyes


• sweating


• swelling of abdominal or stomach area


• swelling of eyes or eyelids


• swelling or puffiness of face


• swollen joints


• thirst


• tightness in chest and/or wheezing


• tingling of hands or feet


• trouble in breathing


• trouble sleeping


• uncomfortable swelling around anus


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• unusual weight gain or loss


• vomiting


• vomiting of blood


• white patches in mouth, tongue, or throat


• wrinkled skin


• yellow eyes or skin

Less common

• Bone or skeletal pain


• burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger


• chest pain


• depressed mood


• dry skin and hair


• feeling cold


• hair loss


• hoarseness or husky voice


• slowed heartbeat


• swelling of ankles

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of Overdose

• Anxiety


• blurred vision


• changes in vision


• cold sweats


• coma


• cool, pale skin


• decrease in amount of urine


• depression


• excessive sweating


• extreme weakness


• fatigue


• flushed, dry skin


• frequent urination


• fruit-like breath odor


• increase in hands and feet size


• increased hunger


• increased thirst


• increased urination


• increased volume of pale, diluted urine


• nervousness


• nightmares


• noisy, rattling breathing


• pain in extremities


• seizures


• shakiness


• shortness of breath


• slurred speech


• stop in menstruation


• swelling of fingers or hands


• troubled breathing at rest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Body aches or pain


• breast pain


• change in the color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge


• congestion


• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)


• discoloration of fingernails or toenails


• dryness or soreness of throat


• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines


• frequent urge to defecate


• increased sweating


• passing gas


• rash


• sneezing


• straining while passing stool


• stuffy nose


• tender, swollen glands in neck


• trouble in swallowing


• voice changes

Less common

• Discouragement


• feeling sad or empty


• irritability


• lack of appetite


• loss of interest or pleasure


• sleeplessness


• tiredness


• trouble concentrating


• unable to sleep

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Zorbtive side effects (in more detail)

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More Zorbtive resources

• Zorbtive Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zorbtive Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Zorbtive Drug Interactions
• Zorbtive Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Zorbtive - Add your own review/rating

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