Omnitrope (somatropin) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for growth hormone deficiency and other conditions. It comes as a subcutaneous injection that’s typically given once daily. The dosage can depend on what condition it’s used for.
Omnitrope is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) with or without:
- lack of certain hormones due to problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, surgery, radiation, or injury
- GHD from childhood
Omnitrope is also approved to treat growth failure in children due to:
- lack of growth hormone
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- being born small for gestational age (SGA) and failing to catch up by 2 years of age
- Turner syndrome (TS)
- short stature with no known cause that meets certain conditions
Omnitrope is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called growth hormones. Omnitrope is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Omnitrope, including its strengths and how to use the medication. See this other article for a comprehensive look at Omnitrope.
Note:This article describes typical dosages for Omnitrope provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Omnitrope, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Omnitrope’s forms, strengths, and dosages.
Omnitrope forms
Omnitrope comes in two forms that are given as a subcutaneous injection (an injection under the skin):
- a solution in a prefilled cartridge that you inject with a pen
- a powder in a vial that you mix with a liquid and inject with a syringe
Omnitrope strengths
Omnitrope cartridges come in two strengths:
- 5 milligrams in 1.5 milliliters of solution (5 mg/1.5 mL)
- 10 mg/1.5 mL
Omnitrope vials come in one strength of 5.8 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for growth hormone deficiency (GHD)
Doctors may prescribe Omnitrope to treat GHD in adults.
If your doctor prescribes Omnitrope for you, your dose may or may not be based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb).
If your dose is based on your body weight, your starting dose will likely be no more than 0.04 milligrams per kilogram per week (mg/kg/week). This amount will be divided over 6 or 7 days. For example, if you weigh 154 lb (about 70 kg), your starting dose of Omnitrope will be 2.8 mg/week. Your doctor will tell you how much to inject each day. After 4 to 8 weeks, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage to a maximum of 0.08 mg/kg/week.
In some cases, your dosage may not be based on your body weight. If your doctor recommends this, your starting dose will be 0.2 mg once daily. The typical dosage range is 0.15 to 0.30 mg/day. Your doctor may recommend increasing this amount gradually every 1 to 2 months by about 0.1 to 0.2 mg per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Omnitrope is approved to treat GHD in children of any age. The dosage is based on your child’s body weight in kg.
The following table shows the recommended weekly dosages of Omnitrope based on the condition that’s being treated. In each case, the weekly dosage is divided over 6 or 7 days:
| Condition | Children’s dosage |
|---|---|
| pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD) | 0.16 to 0.24 mg/kg/week |
| Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) | 0.24 mg/kg/week |
| small for gestational age (SGA) | up to 0.48 mg/kg/week |
| Turner Syndrome (TS) | 0.33 mg/kg/week |
| short stature with an unknown cause | up to 0.47 mg/kg/week |
For example, if your child has pediatric GHD and weighs 51 lb (about 23 kg), their dosage will be 3.7 mg to 5.52 mg weekly. Your child’s doctor will tell you how much to inject each day.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Omnitrope comes in the following two forms that are given as a subcutaneous injection:
- a solution in a prefilled cartridge that you inject with a pen
- a powder in a vial that you mix with liquid and inject with a syringe
With a subcutaneous injection, you’ll inject the medication under your skin. You’ll use the pen or a syringe to give yourself Omnitrope. Your doctor will give you your first dose. Then, they’ll show you (or your caregiver) how to give it. Make sure to inject Omnitrope according to your prescribed instructions.
How you’ll store Omnitrope in the refrigerator will depend on the form:
- After the cartridge is used for the first time, it must remain attached to the pen and kept in the refrigerator for up to 28 days.
- After mixing the powder with the provided liquid, the contents of the vial must be stored in the refrigerator and used within 3 weeks.
You can self-inject Omnitrope into your abdomen, top of your thigh, or outer buttocks. If you use your abdomen, do not inject Omnitrope within 2 inches of your belly button.
Be sure to choose a different injection site each time you inject Omnitrope. And avoid areas where your skin is tender, hard, or irritated. This will reduce your risk of injection-related side effects, such as bleeding or pain at the injection site.
If you have questions about how to use Omnitrope, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
Long-term treatment
Omnitrope is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Omnitrope is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.
Before you start using Omnitrope, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
It’s important that you don’t use more Omnitrope than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Omnitrope can include:
- high or low blood sugar
- swelling in the arms, hands, abdomen, legs, or feet
- hands and feet that are larger than usual
- increased growth of body hair
- protruding jaw and prominent forehead
If you use more than the recommended amount of Omnitrope
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Omnitrope. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.