At a glance
| Hormone | Recombinant human GH |
|---|---|
| Common products | Genotropin; Norditropin; Humatrope |
| Specialized products | Serostim; Zorbtive |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection |
| Key monitoring | Growth/IGF-1, glucose and comorbid disease |
Overview
Somatropin products supply a recombinant form of human GH. Several brands treat pediatric growth disorders and adult GH deficiency, while specialized products have other indications: Serostim treats HIV-associated wasting, and Zorbtive has a short-bowel-syndrome indication. Those indications belong to the relevant product labels rather than every somatropin presentation. In children, diagnosis, remaining growth potential and exclusion of alternative causes determine treatment. In adults, a symptom such as fatigue or an age-related decline in a hormone measurement is not by itself established GH deficiency. The full endocrine context matters.
How it works
Somatropin activates GH receptors and stimulates IGF-1 production, affecting linear growth, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism and body composition. It also has direct metabolic actions, including reduced insulin sensitivity in some settings. Replacing deficient hormone can be beneficial, but pharmacologic excess is biologically different from replacement. The same growth signaling that supports treatment explains concerns about tumor activity and inappropriate use after growth plates have closed.
Approval depends on the product
Genotropin covers adult GH deficiency and specified pediatric disorders. Serostim covers adult HIV wasting with antiretroviral therapy. Zorbtive’s short-bowel indication is another distinct use. Sharing somatropin does not make every branded indication interchangeable.
What meaningful response looks like
Pediatric care assesses height velocity and growth potential; adult replacement evaluates deficiency-related clinical and biochemical outcomes. In HIV wasting, body weight, lean mass and physical endurance are relevant. A higher IGF-1 alone is not a universal measure of improved health.
Important adverse effects
Edema, joint or muscle symptoms, carpal-tunnel-type symptoms, glucose intolerance and intracranial hypertension can occur. Treatment may reveal or alter thyroid and adrenal deficits. Pediatric monitoring also addresses slipped capital femoral epiphysis and scoliosis progression.
Supporting sources [1]
Malignancy and critical illness
Active malignancy, certain acute critical illnesses and severe diabetic retinopathy are important contraindications. Growth promotion is inappropriate after epiphyseal closure. Specific airway and respiratory restrictions apply in Prader-Willi syndrome because of reported sudden deaths in high-risk children.
Supporting sources [1]
Why wellness claims require separate evidence
The benefits of replacing a deficient hormone do not establish benefits from raising it above physiological need. Approved disease-specific experience cannot be converted into a claim that somatropin prolongs life or safely improves appearance in healthy adults.
Reading this profile
Jurisdiction: United States — FDA-approved prescription medicine; indication and formulation restrictions apply.. Molecular class: Recombinant human growth-hormone protein.
This profile was written with AI-assisted research and checked against the linked sources. It has not been represented as a clinician’s review. Evidence summaries describe the cited studies and products; they do not establish that a separately purchased preparation is equivalent.
Sources & references
Follow the original material. Product labels define specific formulations and uses; trial registration describes a study and does not by itself establish benefit.
- DailyMed: Genotropin current prescribing information ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27
- FDA: Serostim prescribing information, July 2026 ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27
- FDA: Zorbtive prescribing information ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27