Growth Hormone Deficiency Medication

  • Author: Mohsen S Eledrisi, MD, FACP, FACE; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 2, 2011
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to restore normal growth hormone levels and to reduce morbidity. The main therapeutic goal of growth hormone treatment in children with growth hormone deficiency are to enable short children to achieve normal height, with early improvement of the psychosocial problems related to short stature.

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Growth hormones

Class Summary

Treatment requires recombinant growth hormone.

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Human growth hormone (Humatrope, Genotropin, Nutropin)

 

Currently widely available in subcutaneous injection form. Adjust dose gradually based on clinical and biochemical responses assessed at monthly intervals, including body weight, waist circumference, serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3, serum glucose, lipids, thyroid function, and whole body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. In children, assess response based on height and growth velocity. Continue treatment until final height, epiphysial closure, or both have been recorded.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mohsen S Eledrisi, MD, FACP, FACE  Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, King Abdulaziz National Guard Medical Center, Saudi Arabia

Mohsen S Eledrisi, MD, FACP, FACE is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Steven R Gambert, MD  Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director of Geriatric Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center and R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Steven R Gambert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, Association of Professors of Medicine, Endocrine Society, and Gerontological Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Don S Schalch, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics

Don S Schalch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, Central Society for Clinical Research, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark Cooper, MBBS, PhD, FRACP  Head, Diabetes & Metabolism Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, Monash University

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD  Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Ali A Al-Qarni, MD, Consulting Endocrinologist, King Abdulaziz National Guard Hospital, Saudi Arabia, contributed to this article.

References

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