Manufacturer: Merck
Pharmaceutical name: Somatropin
Pack: 1 cartridge (12 mg (8 mg/ml))
SAIZEN promotes the development of bones, cells, and organs. Research has indicated that it leads to a reduction in body fat and an increase in both bone formation and muscle mass.
The bacteriostatic water included with SAIZEN contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which should be avoided in newborns or individuals with a known sensitivity to it. For these patients, SAIZEN can be reconstituted using Sterile Water for Injection, USP. When reconstituted in this manner, it must be used right away, and any leftover must be discarded. The use of growth hormone may cause insulin resistance and should be approached with caution in individuals with diabetes mellitus or a family history of the condition. Notify your healthcare provider of any instances of diabetes in the patient's family. SAIZEN is contraindicated in patients with active cancerous or benign tumors, and those with a history of cancer should be carefully monitored.
In clinical trials involving children with growth hormone deficiency who received SAIZEN, rare side effects were observed, including pain, numbness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures or convulsions, water retention, and an exacerbation of pre-existing psoriasis symptoms.
Any patient with growth hormone deficiency who does not respond to treatment should undergo testing for thyroid issues or antibodies against human growth hormone, as either condition may hinder the effectiveness of SAIZEN.