Special Instructions
It is important to take growth hormone every day in order to get the most benefits from the medication. If a dose is missed, skip that dose. Do not double the next dose to make up for the missed dose.
Most growth hormone needs to be refrigerated. Check with your growth hormone company or your child's nurse.
This medication needs a special insurance approval at the beginning of therapy, yearly, and with each insurance change. Tell your doctor or endocrine nurse if you have new insurance.
Side Effects
Growth hormone is considered a safe medication, and side effects are rare. The risk of side effects varies with diagnosis. Your doctor will discuss these side effects with you in greater detail.
One side effect is headaches, which may be caused by an increase in the pressure on the brain. This is reversible and should go away once the medicine has been stopped.
Growth hormone causes children to grow faster. This fast growth can cause a problem with their hip. This is called slipped capital femoral epiphyses (i-pif-uh-seez) (SCFE). Children will usually complain of pain in the knee or hip and walk with a limp. This diagnosis is made by an X-ray.
Warning Signs
Once your child is started on growth hormone, you should call your healthcare provider immediately for:
- Severe headaches with or without vomiting
- Limping
- Knee or hip pain
- Rash
Call your healthcare provider during normal business hours if there is swelling or redness at the injection site.
Additional Information
Children on growth hormone therapy should be seen by the endocrine provider every three to six months. Your provider will check on your child's growth and development and make dose changes as needed.
Clinic visits are extremely important to attend.