Norditropin: Dosage, side effects, uses, interactions, and more

Key takeaways

• Norditropin is a brand-name growth hormone drug containing somatropin that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. It’s prescribed to treat specific growth problems by supplementing growth hormone levels in adults and children.
• Dosage varies depending on a person’s age, weight, and the specific condition being treated, and should be determined by a doctor.
• Norditropin can cause side effects, including allergic reactions, as well as interactions with other medications, so it’s important to discuss your medical history and all medications you take with your doctor before starting treatment.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Norditropin to treat:

• growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults
• growth failure in children with GHD or Prader-Willi Syndrome
• short stature in children with Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or no known cause
• short stature in children born small for gestational age who have not shown expected catch-up growth

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Norditropin here:

• Drug form: solution given as a subcutaneous injection
• Generic or biosimilar available? no
• Prescription required? yes
• Controlled substance? no

Norditropin is available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It’s not currently available in a biosimilar form.

Traditional drugs are made using chemical processes, while biologics are made using living cells. Traditional drugs have generics, which are exact copies of the brand-name drug. Biologics cannot be copied exactly, so they have biosimilars instead of generics.

As with generics, biosimilars tend to cost less but are considered as safe and effective as the original brand-name drug.

The Norditropin dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re using Norditropin to treat
• your age and body weight in kilograms (kg)*
• other medical conditions you may have
• other medications you may be taking
• blood levels of a certain hormone that plays a role in growth

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

* For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

Drug form and strengths

Norditropin comes in a prefilled injection pen called Norditropin FlexPro. It’s available in four strengths:

• 5 milligrams (mg) in 1.5 milliliters (mL) of solution
• 10 mg in 1.5 mL
• 15 mg in 1.5 mL
• 30 mg in 3 mL

To learn more about using Norditropin, see the “How to inject” section.

Dosage for adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

For adults with GHD, doctors will decide whether to base the Norditropin dosage on body weight.

If the dosage is not based on body weight: The usual starting dosage of Norditropin is 0.15 to 0.3 mg each day. Your doctor will tell you the exact amount to inject for each dose.

If the dosage is based on body weight: The usual starting dosage of Norditropin is 0.004 mg per kg of body weight each day. For example, a person weighing 75 kg (about 165 lb) would inject 0.3 mg per day.

Your doctor may adjust your dosage every 1 to 2 months based on how your condition responds to treatment. If body weight is used, the maximum recommended dosage is 0.016 mg per kg of body weight per day. Your doctor can tell you the maximum dosage if body weight is not used.

Children’s dosage

Doctors prescribe Norditropin to treat certain growth conditions in children of any age. (For details about these conditions, see the “Norditropin uses” section.)

A child’s Norditropin dosage is based on body weight and the condition being treated, as outlined here:

• growth failure related to GHD: 0.17 to 0.24 mg per kg of body weight each week
• growth failure related to Prader-Willi Syndrome: 0.24 mg per kg each week
• short stature related to Noonan syndrome: up to 0.46 mg per kg each week
• short stature related to Turner syndrome: up to 0.47 mg per kg each week
• short stature with no known cause: up to 0.47 mg per kg each week
• short stature when born small for gestational age: up to 0.47 mg per kg each week

Each weekly dose is divided into 6 or 7 injections. Your child’s doctor will tell you the exact amount to inject for each dose and how many days to inject Norditropin each week.

How to inject

Norditropin is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin of your abdomen, buttocks, thigh, or the back of your upper arm. A healthcare professional will show you or a caregiver how to give the injections at home.

If you have questions about how to use Norditropin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website for an instructional video or tutorial.

About receiving Norditropin

You’ll find information about key dosage issues here:

• When to take: You’ll inject Norditropin once daily for up to 6 or 7 days each week. Your doctor will tell you how often to inject the drug based on the dosage you’re prescribed.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose at its usual time. If you have questions about what to do for a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Length of use: Norditropin may be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Norditropin is safe and effective for you, you may take it long term.
• Length of time to work: Norditropin starts working after your first dose, but you may not notice growth changes right away. Your doctor will monitor how well the drug is working by checking your height over time.

Overdose

Using more than the recommended dosage of Norditropin can lead to serious side effects. Do not inject more Norditropin than your doctor recommends.

Symptoms of an overdose can include high blood sugar, low blood sugar, or fluid buildup in the body.

Over time, using too much Norditropin can cause effects similar to having too much natural growth hormone. Examples include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Norditropin can cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur during Norditropin treatment, but they do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about possible side effects of this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Norditropin and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a partial list of mild side effects of Norditropin. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Norditropin can include:

• mild infection, such as an upper respiratory infection or ear infection
• flu-like symptoms, such as fever or sore throat
• headache
• fluid buildup in the body, which may lead to swelling in the arms or legs
• joint pain or muscle pain
• numbness, tingling, or burning in the arms or legs
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• injection site reactions, such as loss of fat under the skin

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Norditropin aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include:

• intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the brain)
• pancreatitis
• high blood sugar, which may lead to type 2 diabetes

Side effects in children

Norditropin is approved to treat certain growth conditions in children of any age. (For details about these conditions, see the “Norditropin uses” section.)

In clinical trials, most side effects reported in children were similar to those seen in adults. (See the “Mild side effects” and “Serious side effects” sections.) However, the risk of pancreatitis may be higher in children than in adults.

Some children taking somatropin (the active ingredient in Norditropin) have also developed a hip condition called slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

In addition, Norditropin may be life threatening in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who have certain risk factors, including:

• severe obesity
• breathing problems, such as sleep apnea
• respiratory infection

If you have questions about the side effects of Norditropin in children, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

ALLERGIC REACTION For some people, Norditropin can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. Ways to manage For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication. For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Norditropin, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

The following information describes the FDA-approved uses for Norditropin.

Norditropin for growth hormone deficiency (GHD)

Norditropin is approved for the treatment of GHD in adults. GHD occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone. This can lead to symptoms such as weakened bones, low muscle mass, and low energy.

To learn more about Norditropin for GHD, talk with your doctor.

Norditropin and children

Norditropin is approved to treat certain growth conditions in children of any age.

With growth problems, a child may grow more slowly than expected for their age or have a height below the typical range for their age group. Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Specifically, doctors prescribe Norditropin to treat the following conditions in children:

• growth failure related to growth hormone deficiency or Prader-Willi Syndrome
• short stature related to Noonan syndrome or Turner syndrome
• short stature with no known cause, when the child is much shorter than most children their age and their growth pattern suggests they may not reach a typical adult height
• short stature in children born small for gestational age, when the child has not shown expected catch-up growth by ages 2 to 4 years

To learn more about Norditropin for growth conditions in children, talk with your child’s doctor.

Norditropin can interact with several other medications, but it’s not known to interact with any supplements or foods.

Before starting Norditropin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications

The following is a list of medications that can interact with Norditropin. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Norditropin. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Norditropin include:

• diabetes drugs, such as insulin or metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza)
• corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) or prednisone (Rayos)
• oral forms of estrogen, such as Premarin

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Norditropin. If you have questions about whether alcohol is safe to drink while taking Norditropin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Norditropin can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Norditropin or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. A program called NovoCare is available for Norditropin. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 888-668-6444 or visit the program website.

Generic version: Norditropin is a brand-name biologic drug made with living cells. It’s not available in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name biologic drugs. See the “Norditropin generic or biosimilar” section for more details.

Other growth hormone injections are available for treating your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Norditropin, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The active ingredient in Norditropin is somatropin. Other growth hormone products, such as Humatrope, Omnitrope, and Genotropin, have the same active ingredient.

Your doctor can tell you whether another growth hormone product may be an option for the condition you’re using Norditropin to treat.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Norditropin and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Norditropin should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Norditropin and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Norditropin should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Before starting Norditropin, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• sudden critical illness or respiratory failure
• current cancer or past radiation therapy to the head for a childhood cancer
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve)
• diabetic retinopathy
• adrenal insufficiency
• underactive thyroid
• children with Prader-Willi syndrome who have certain conditions, such as severe obesity or sleep apnea
• children with bone growth plates that have closed
• children with scoliosis
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Norditropin, see the “Norditropin side effects” section.

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.