Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. 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.

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

There are many different forms (eg, vial, cartridge, injection device) available for this medicine. Read all instructions carefully to be sure you know how to use your device.

Each time you get your medicine, check to be sure you have received the proper device. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about the device that you were given.

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.

Use a new needle, unopened vial, prefilled pen, or syringe each time you inject your medicine.

Check the liquid in the Norditropin® prefilled pen. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use the medicine if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

You might not use all of the medicine in each vial (glass container) or prefilled syringe. Use each vial or syringe only one time. Do not save an open vial or syringe. If the medicine in the vial or syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

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 all indications:
      • Adults—Dose is usually based on body weight (depending on the brand of somatropin you are using) and must be determined by your doctor. Norditropin® may also be given without concern to weight. At first, you may give Norditropin® 0.2 milligram (mg) per day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Your doctor will adjust your child's dose as needed.

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 this medicine in the refrigerator, away from direct light. Do not freeze or shake.

Store the unopened Norditropin® FlexPro pen in the refrigerator, away from direct light. Do not freeze. You may also keep the opened Norditropin® FlexPro pen in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks or at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

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

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023