Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share by Email
Print
Saizen Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Somatropin (rDNA origin) 5mg, 8.8mg; per vial; lyophilized pwd for SC inj after reconstitution; diluent contains benzyl alcohol.
Pharmacological Class
Growth hormone (GH).
How Supplied
Vial—1 (w. diluent); click.easy device—1 (8.8mg vial + diluent)
Manufacturer
Saizen Indications
Indications
Treatment of children with growth failure due to GH deficiency. Adults with childhood-onset or adult-onset GH deficiency.
Saizen Dosage and Administration
Adult
Individualize. Rotate inj site. Give by SC inj. Weight-based regimen: initial max 0.005mg/kg per day; may increase after 4 weeks to max 0.01mg/kg per day. Non weight-based regimen: intially 0.2mg/day (range 0.15–0.3mg/day); may increase gradually every 1–2 months by increments of 0.1–0.2mg/day. Elderly or obese: may need lower dose.
Children
Individualize. Rotate inj site. Give by SC inj. 0.18mg/kg per week divided into equal doses either on 3 alternate days, 6 times a week, or daily.
Saizen Contraindications
Contraindications
Acute critical illness. Active malignancy. Diabetic retinopathy. Children with closed epiphyses. Prader-Willi syndrome (severely obese or w. respiratory impairment); see full labeling.
Saizen Boxed Warnings
Not Applicable
Saizen Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Diabetes. Obesity. Turner syndrome. Monitor thyroid function, glucose tolerance, bone age, gait. Monitor for hip or knee pain, intracranial hypertension (do baseline and periodic funduscopic exams), and progression of scoliosis. Prader-Willi syndrome: evaluate baseline respiratory function; monitor weight and for respiratory infection. Discontinue if signs of upper airway obstruction or sleep apnea occur. Monitor for progression or recurrence in preexisting tumors. Hypopituitarism. Discontinue when epiphyses are fused. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.B). Nursing mothers.
Saizen Pharmacokinetics
See Literature
Saizen Interactions
Interactions
May be antagonized by glucocorticoids. Concomitant oral estrogens: may require larger somatotropin doses. Antidiabetic medications may need to be adjusted. May affect CYP3A4 substrates. May increase phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, PTH, IGF-1 serum levels.
Saizen Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
Inj site reactions, fluid retention, peripheral edema, arthralgia, myalgia, paresthesia, headache; hypersensitivity (may be severe), hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism; rare: pancreatitis. Long-term overdose may cause gigantism and/or acromegaly.
Saizen Clinical Trials
See Literature
Saizen Note
Notes
May be given using click.easy, a needle-free delivery device (see full labeling for instructions).
Saizen Patient Counseling
See Literature
