Somatropin

Investigated uses

• Growth hormone deficiency and selected pediatric growth disorders; numerous nonapproved uses have also been studied.

Mechanism and hypotheses

• Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone and activates the growth-hormone receptor, producing direct metabolic effects and IGF-1-mediated growth effects.
• Hypothesized: Anti-aging, bodybuilding and recovery outcomes are not approved indications and cannot be inferred for an unverified research vial.

Human evidence

• Somatropin efficacy is established for label-defined growth-hormone deficiency and selected pediatric disorders. Limitations: Benefits and risks are indication-, age-, diagnosis- and product-specific.

Safety highlights

• Edema, arthralgia, paresthesia, glucose intolerance, intracranial hypertension and injection-site reactions are product-label concerns.
• Risks include neoplasm progression/recurrence in susceptible patients, acute critical-illness mortality signals, slipped capital femoral epiphysis and pancreatitis.

Regulatory context

Multiple somatropin products are FDA-approved, but approval is product-, indication- and presentation-specific.