Omnitrope (somatropin) is a prescription drug used to treat growth problems in certain situations. Omnitrope is given as an injection under your skin using either a pen or a vial and syringe.
Omnitrope is used in adults to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD). It can also be used in children with GHD or the following conditions that may affect growth:
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- lower than expected body weight after birth
- shorter than expected height for age without a clear cause
To learn more about Omnitrope’s uses, see the “What is Omnitrope used for?” section.
Omnitrope basics
Omnitrope contains the active ingredient somatropin.
Omnitrope is a biologic medication, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. Omnitrope is available as a brand-name drug only. It’s not available in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologics.
Omnitrope is used to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults and certain children.
Omnitrope may be prescribed for adults who’ve had GHD since either childhood or adulthood. GHD that started in childhood may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors or have no clear cause. GHD that started in adulthood may be caused by other conditions, such as surgery, radiation, or problems in your pituitary gland or hypothalamus. GHD in adulthood can also happen on its own.
In children, Omnitrope may be beneficial for growth problems from GHD or from other conditions, such as:
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- lower than expected body weight after birth (that hasn’t normalized by age 2 years)
- shorter than expected height for age without a clear cause
Your child may experience different symptoms depending on which condition is causing growth problems.
Growth hormone is made in the pituitary gland of your brain and affects bones, muscles, organs, height, and weight. It also helps your body use carbohydrates, protein, and fat. If you have GHD, your pituitary gland doesn’t make enough growth hormone. This may cause symptoms including tiredness and softer bones.
Omnitrope is a form of growth hormone that’s made in a lab. It increases natural growth hormone levels and helps to treat symptoms of GHD.
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Omnitrope.
Is Omnitrope a steroid?
Omnitrope is a form of growth hormone that’s made in a lab. It’s a peptide hormone, not an anabolic steroid.
Is Omnitrope used in in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
IVF is infertility treatment — an option to help a female* become pregnant. Omnitrope is a form of growth hormone that’s made in a lab. While Omnitrope is not FDA approved for IVF, growth hormone may be prescribed off-label for this use in certain situations. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.)
For example, if you have low levels of a certain hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), your doctor may prescribe growth hormone on your IVF journey. If you have low IGF-1, growth hormone may help you ovulate (release an egg from an ovary to be fertilized by sperm).
However, use of growth hormone for this purpose isn’t widely accepted.
* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Like most drugs, Omnitrope may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects this drug may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
- the form and dosage of the drug you’re prescribed
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Omnitrope. They can also suggest ways to help reduce or manage side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects Omnitrope can cause in adults. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Omnitrope that have been reported include:
- headache
- injection site reactions, such as skin rash or loss of fat under your skin
- swelling, stiffness, or edema (fluid buildup) in your arms or legs
- abnormal sensations on your skin, such as tingling or burning
- pain in your back, joints, or muscles
- fatigue
- upper respiratory infection
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Omnitrope can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from this medication, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported in adults taking Omnitrope include:
- new or worsening diabetes
- increased pressure in the fluid around your brain
- pancreatitis
- new or worsening hypothyroidism
ALLERGIC REACTIONBased on the drug’s studies, Omnitrope can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest medication to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Omnitrope treatment.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Omnitrope, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Below are commonly prescribed dosages, but always inject the dosage your doctor prescribes. They’ll determine the Omnitrope dosage that’s right for you.
Forms and strengths
Omnitrope comes in two forms. Each form has different available strengths.
Omnitrope cartridges
Omnitrope cartridges come in two strengths:
- 5 milligrams in 1.5 milliliters of solution (5 mg/1.5 mL)
- 10 mg/1.5 mL
The 5 mg/1.5 mL cartridge fits into the Omnitrope Pen 5 delivery system. The 10 mg/1.5 mL cartridge fits into the Omnitrope Pen 10 delivery system.
Omnitrope vials
Omnitrope vials contain powder that you mix into a liquid that creates a solution you inject under your skin. Vials come in one strength of 5.8 mg per vial.
Recommended dosages
Omnitrope is used to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults and some children.
Dosage for adults
For treatment of GHD in adults, your doctor may choose to use your body weight to guide your dose. If they determine your dosage this way, you’ll likely be prescribed a starting dose of no more than 0.04 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per week. (For reference, one kg equals about 2.2 pounds.) Your doctor will divide this weekly dose into a smaller daily dose and explain how much you’ll take each day.
If your doctor chooses not to use your body weight, you’ll likely be prescribed a starting dose of 0.2 mg per day.
Whether your dose is based on your body weight or not, your doctor may gradually increase your dose every 1 to 2 months, depending on how your body responds to this medication.
If you develop side effects from Omnitrope, your doctor will likely reduce your dose. If you’re age 65 years or older, your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose to reduce your risk of side effects. But if you take certain medications, you may need a higher dose.
Dosage in children
Omnitrope may be used for certain conditions affecting growth in children. For these conditions, the dose of Omnitrope is based on the child’s weight in kg:
| Condition | Recommended dose |
| GHD | 0.16 to 0.24 mg per kg per week |
| Prader-Willi syndrome | 0.24 mg per kg per week |
| Turner syndrome | 0.33 mg per kg per week |
| lower than expected body weight after birth | up to 0.48 mg per kg per week |
| shorter than expected height for age without a clear cause | up to 0.47 mg per kg per week |
Your child’s doctor will divide their weekly dosage into a smaller dose that you’ll inject 6 or 7 days per week. Your child’s doctor will explain how much Omnitrope you’ll give per dose.
The above are recommended dosages. Your child’s doctor will determine the best dosage for them. Talk with your child’s doctor if you have any dosage questions.
How to take
Omnitrope is available as a liquid solution in pen delivery systems.
It’s also available as a powder in vials that you’ll mix with a provided liquid to make a solution. When mixing, swirl but don’t shake the contents. Shaking the vial could make the drug less effective.
Both forms of Omnitrope are taken as an injection under your skin. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will explain how to give yourself or your child these injections at home. They’ll also explain how much to inject and how often. Be sure to follow their instructions.
You should inject Omnitrope into your belly, thigh, or buttock. But do not inject the medication near your belly button or waist. Change your injection site each time to avoid side effects to your skin.
Both forms of Omnitrope should be kept in the refrigerator in their original packaging.
To learn more about how to inject Omnitrope, check out the drug’s prescribing information. Instructional guides and videos are also available on the drug manufacturer’s website.
Questions about taking Omnitrope
Below are some common questions about taking Omnitrope.
- Is there a best time of day to inject Omnitrope? According to the drug’s prescribing information, you should inject your dose in the evening, 6 or 7 days per week. Your doctor will provide further instructions on how and when to inject each dose based on your age and the condition you’re using Omnitrope to treat.
- What if I miss a dose? If you miss a dose of Omnitrope, take it as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose at its usual time. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how to handle a missed dose.
- Will I need to use Omnitrope long term? Omnitrope is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
- How long does Omnitrope take to work? Omnitrope begins to work after you take your first dose. But you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. Your doctor will order tests throughout your treatment to check whether the drug is working to effectively treat your condition.
Overdose
Do not inject more Omnitrope than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by a short-term overdose can include:
- lower or higher blood sugar than usual
- retaining more fluid than usual
Symptoms caused by a long-term overdose can include:
What to do in case you inject too much Omnitrope
Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Omnitrope. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The following is important information for you to consider before starting Omnitrope treatment.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions. Omnitrope can interact with several other medications.
Before starting Omnitrope treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Omnitrope. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Omnitrope. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| certain corticosteroids | • cortisone • prednisone (Rayos) |
| certain drugs that use the CYP450 enzyme* | • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) |
| oral estrogens | • ethinyl estradiol (Bekyree, Cyclessa, Viorele, Nikki, Yaz, others) • estradiol |
| certain diabetes drugs | • insulin (Apidra, Novolog, Toujeo, others) • glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase) |
*Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is an enzyme in the liver that helps to break down certain drugs. Omnitrope may change how these drugs are broken down in your body.
Omnitrope and alcohol
Alcohol is not known to interact with Omnitrope. But alcohol may make certain side effects from Omnitrope worse, such as headache and fatigue.
Talk with your doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume during Omnitrope treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Omnitrope treatment is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.
Birth control
Omnitrope interacts with estrogen, which is found in many oral contraceptives. Omnitrope does not decrease the effects of the birth control. Rather, estrogen may make Omnitrope less effective, so you may need a higher dose of Omnitrope.
If you’re taking an oral contraceptive with estrogen, speak with your doctor. They can ensure you’re on an effective dose of Omnitrope.
Warnings
Omnitrope can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Omnitrope is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Omnitrope. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- unexpected or short-term critical illness, especially following a surgery or serious accident
- cancer or tumors
- new or worsening diabetes and certain types of related eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy
- retaining more fluid than normal
- adrenal insufficiency (adrenal glands producing lower amounts of certain hormones than normal)
- take other medications that contain benzyl alcohol
- new or worsening hypothyroidism
- previous allergic reaction to Omnitrope or any of its ingredients
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
You should also discuss the following factors with your child’s doctor if they apply to your child:
- middle ear infections or heart problems if your child also has Turner syndrome
- scoliosis
- obesity, sleep apnea, or serious lung problems if your child also has Prader-Willi syndrome
- closed growth plates (your child has stopped growing taller)
- past radiation treatment to the head or neck for cancer
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Omnitrope. What you’ll pay for Omnitrope may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use. You may also need to purchase needles to use with the form your doctor prescribes.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A Co-Pay Savings Program from the drug manufacturer (Sandoz) may also be available.
You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Omnitrope, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
Omnitrope’s active ingredient is somatropin. Somatropin is also the active ingredient in the following brand-name drugs:
- Genotropin
- Accretropin
- Humatrope
- Norditropin
- Nutropin
- Nutropin AQ
- Saizen
- Serostim
- Zomacton
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.