Somatropin is a human growth hormone (HGH, hGH) important for the growth of bones and muscles.
Somatropin is used to treat growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone; this includes people with short stature due to Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, short stature at birth with no catch-up growth, and other causes. Some brands of somatropin injection are also used for short bowel syndrome (Zorbtive brand) and HIV-associated wasting (Serostim brand).
The mechanism of action (MOA) of somatropin is identical to natural human growth hormone (HGH), mimicking its effects on growth, metabolism, and cell regeneration. Somatropin works like a natural human growth hormone by binding to the GH receptor on target cells which signals skeletal growth, muscle growth, and protein production. Natural somatropin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. If the pituitary gland doesn’t make enough, or any, human growth hormone it causes a condition called a growth-related disorder.
Somatropin is given as subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections using a pen device, cartridge, or vials.
Brands of somatropin used to treat growth failure by specific causes include Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin AQ, Omnitrope, Saizen, Tev-Tropin, and Zomacton.
