Omnitrope (somatropin) may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain factors, including the potential risk of fetal harm, may determine whether it’s safe to take the drug during this time.

If you may be or can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Omnitrope is a safe option for you.

Omnitrope contains the preservative benzyl alcohol, which pregnant people’s bodies can rapidly break down. A fetus may not experience exposure to benzyl alcohol, but adverse reactions have occurred in certain premature newborns and infants of low birth weight. These newborns and infants received drugs that contained benzyl alcohol by intravenous (IV) injection. (IV means by infusion into a vein.)

Information concerning Omnitrope use in pregnant women is limited, so experts can’t determine with certainty the risk of adverse outcomes in a fetus due to Omnitrope use.

Doctors prescribe Omnitrope to replace endogenous growth hormone in adults with one of the following:

  • Growth hormone deficiency since adulthood: The drug might help those with the condition alone or with multiple hormone deficiencies resulting from certain factors.
  • Growth hormone deficiency since childhood: The drug could benefit people with the condition resulting from certain causes.

Specific risks may occur if you don’t receive treatment during pregnancy. You and your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Omnitrope while pregnant versus not getting treatment during pregnancy.

Omnitrope also has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for certain uses in children.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “females” and “males” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information, see this article about the difference between sex and gender.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that Omnitrope could have on you or the breastfed child.

It’s not known whether treatment with Omnitrope is safe while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, it’s important to consider how Omnitrope could affect your birth control options.

Omnitrope interacts with the hormone called estrogen, which you can find in many oral contraceptives. While Omnitrope doesn’t decrease the effects of birth control, estrogen may make Omnitrope less effective. This means you may need a higher dose of Omnitrope.

If your oral contraceptive contains estrogen, speak with your doctor. They can adjust your dose of Omnitrope if needed.

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.