Pronunciation: SOE-ma-TROE-pin
Generic Name: Somatropin (rDNA origin - Refrigerated)
Brand Name: Examples include Norditropin, Norditropin Nordiflex, and Norditropin FlexPro
Norditropin FlexPro is used for:
Treating certain children or adults whose bodies do not produce enough growth hormone. It is also used to treat certain children who are not growing normally due to Turner syndrome or Noonan syndrome. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Norditropin FlexPro is a growth hormone. It works by stimulating growth in patients who do not make enough natural growth hormone.
Do NOT use Norditropin FlexPro if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Norditropin FlexPro or to phenol
- you have active or recurring cancer, a brain tumor, or other unusual growths
- you have severe breathing problems (eg, respiratory failure) or serious illness caused by complications from surgery or injury
- you have a certain type of eye problem caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) or if you have had a kidney transplant
- the patient is a child who has Prader-Willi syndrome and is severely overweight or has severe breathing problems (eg, airway blockage, respiratory infection, sleep apnea)
- the patient is a child who has epiphyseal closure (bone growth is complete)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Norditropin FlexPro:
Some medical conditions may interact with Norditropin FlexPro. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney problems, lung or breathing problems (eg, airway blockage, sleep apnea), an underactive thyroid, heart problems, ear or hearing problems (eg, repeated ear infections), or endocrine problems (eg, pituitary or adrenal gland problems)
- if you have a history of diabetes or high blood sugar levels, or if a member of your family has had diabetes
- if you have a history of leukemia, other types of cancer, or any unusual growths or tumors (especially in the brain)
- if you have curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Prader-Willi syndrome, or a certain eye problem called papilledema (swelling of the area around your optic nerve)
- if you are very overweight or have had recent major surgery or injury
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Norditropin FlexPro. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or estrogens because they may decrease Norditropin FlexPro's effectiveness
- Anticonvulsants (eg, carbamazepine) or cyclosporine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Norditropin FlexPro
- Insulin or other medicines for diabetes because their effectiveness may be decreased by Norditropin FlexPro
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Norditropin FlexPro may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Norditropin FlexPro:
Use Norditropin FlexPro as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Norditropin FlexPro. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Norditropin FlexPro is given as an injection under the skin. A health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Norditropin FlexPro. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Norditropin FlexPro should be clear and colorless. Do not use Norditropin FlexPro if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Be sure to rotate your injection site as directed to help avoid thickening or hardening of the skin.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Norditropin FlexPro, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Norditropin FlexPro.
Important safety information:
- Severe and sometimes fatal lung and breathing problems have occurred with use of Norditropin FlexPro in certain children with Prader-Willi syndrome. These children were usually either very overweight or had severe breathing problems (eg, airway blockage, sleep apnea, lung or airway infection). The risk may be greater in boys. Children with Prader-Willi syndrome should have certain breathing tests before they start Norditropin FlexPro. They should be monitored for signs of lung or airway infection. They should also have an effective form of weight control. Contact the doctor at once if the patient develops irregular breathing during sleep, new or increased snoring, or symptoms of lung or airway infection (eg, fever, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort).
- Rarely, children using Norditropin FlexPro have experienced a slipped growth plate in the hip. Contact the doctor right away if the patient develops hip or knee pain or a limp.
- Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) has been reported rarely in patients who take Norditropin FlexPro. The risk may be greater in children, especially in girls who have Turner syndrome. Contact your doctor right away if you develop stomach or back pain.
- Diabetes patients - Norditropin FlexPro may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Lab tests, including blood sugar levels, thyroid function, and eye exams, may be performed while you use Norditropin FlexPro. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Norditropin FlexPro with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Norditropin FlexPro while you are pregnant. It is not known if Norditropin FlexPro is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Norditropin FlexPro, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Norditropin FlexPro:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bone pain; headache; increased sweating; mild flu-like symptoms; mild swelling (eg, of the hands or feet); muscle or joint pain; prickling sensation of the skin; redness or itching at the injection site.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); burning, tingling, itching, or numbness in the palm of the hand, fingers, or wrist; change in appearance or size of a mole; chest pain; confusion; ear pain, discharge, or discomfort; fast heartbeat; fever; hearing problems; hip or knee pain; limp; nausea or vomiting; new growth on the skin; one-sided weakness; persistent or severe cough or sore throat; severe or persistent stomach or back pain; severe or persistent swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; shortness of breath; slurred speech; snoring or irregular breathing during sleep; sudden, severe, or persistent headache or dizziness; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; unusual weakness); thickened or hardened skin at the injection site; trouble breathing; unusual bruising; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Norditropin FlexPro side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; excessive thirst or hunger; fainting; fast heartbeat; frequent urination; swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands.
Proper storage of Norditropin FlexPro:
Store new (unopened) cartridges and prefilled pens in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Do not use Norditropin FlexPro past the expiration date on the product label.
For 5 mg per 1.5 mL (orange) and 10 mg per 1.5 mL (blue) strengths: Store used (open) cartridges and prefilled pens in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C), or at room temperature below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Throw away any remaining medicine after 4 weeks if stored in the refrigerator or after 3 weeks if stored at room temperature.
For 15 mg per 1.5 mL (green) and 30 mg per 3 mL (purple) strengths: Store used (open) cartridges and prefilled pens in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Throw away any remaining medicine after 4 weeks.
Contact your pharmacist if you have any questions about how to properly store Norditropin FlexPro. Keep Norditropin FlexPro out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Norditropin FlexPro, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Norditropin FlexPro is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Norditropin FlexPro. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Norditropin FlexPro resources
- Norditropin FlexPro Side Effects (in more detail)
- Norditropin FlexPro Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Norditropin FlexPro Drug Interactions
- 0 Reviews for Norditropin FlexPro - Add your own review/rating
Compare Norditropin FlexPro with other medications
- Adult Human Growth Hormone Deficiency
- AIDS Related Wasting
- Burns, Nitrogen Retention
- Cachexia
- Growth Retardation, Chronic Renal Failure
- Hypopituitarism
- Idiopathic Short Stature
- Noonan's Syndrome
- Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Short Bowel Syndrome
- Short Stature for Age
- Turner's Syndrome
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