Resources
Frequently asked questions
We’ve got the answers to some of the questions asked most often about growth-related disorders and treatment options with Norditropin® (somatropin) injection.
If the answers to your questions are not covered here, be sure to speak with your doctor.
Actor portrayal
Growth hormone deficiency
A deficiency means there is not enough of something. Growth hormone deficiency means that your body is not making enough growth hormone.
Lack of treatment for growth hormone deficiency could result in a child being significantly shorter than they otherwise would be when they reach adulthood. Adults who are not treated for GHD may have changes in the body such as a decrease in lean body mass and increase in total body fat.
An endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the study of the body’s hormone system, can diagnose growth hormone deficiency. The doctor will ask questions about your health and growth history and about the health and growth history of your family. You will have a physical exam. The doctor may also order a growth hormone stimulation test, or "stim" test.
There are several organizations dedicated to education, awareness, and advocacy for people with growth-related disorders. Visit the Patient Advocacy Groups.
Growth hormone therapy
Hormones are chemical messengers produced in one part of the body that travel to another part of the body to create some sort of change. Growth hormone is made in the pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, and is important in helping children grow.
When the pituitary gland releases growth hormone, it makes the liver release a second hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Together, growth hormone and IGF-1 tell the bones, muscles, and many other organs and tissues to grow by adding more cells.
The stimulation (“stim”) test
The pituitary gland makes growth hormone in different amounts at different times of the day. This can make it hard to test the amount of growth hormone the pituitary gland is releasing with just one blood sample. So, endocrinologists perform what is called a stimulation test, or "stim" test, which involves artificially stimulating the pituitary gland. The test uses a series of blood samples to get a more accurate picture.
There are a few types of growth hormone stim tests. Some can measure the level of growth hormone at its highest, for example, after sleep or exercise, because both of these activities increase the level of growth hormone. Another type of test uses medication to make the pituitary gland release growth hormone.a If the pituitary does not produce growth hormone in response, it’s a sign that the person has a deficiency.
aWith all medication, there are benefits to using them; however, there may be side effects. The medications used during the stim test may cause side effects. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider.
There is no one approved method for stim testing, but here’s an example of what might happen.
- Your child will be given an IV, and the first blood sample will be taken
- Then, the stimulating medication will be given. Your child will be closely monitored for any side effects that may occur.
- Blood samples will be taken over the next few hours. Your child will be able to rest or do quiet activities during this time.
- When the last blood sample has been taken and the test is over, the IV will be removed.
The doctor will communicate with you about when you’ll get the results and what the next steps will be.
Explain the test to your child and let him or her know why it’s being given. Talk about the IV. You may want to demonstrate on a doll. Your child’s doctor will likely recommend that he or she not eat and limit physical activity for 10-12 hours before the test, to avoid changing the results.
The test will take several hours and sometimes can take most of the day. Don’t forget to bring activities for yourself and your child to keep busy while you’re waiting.
About Norditropin®
Norditropin® is a man-made form of growth hormone. It’s identical to the growth hormone that your body makes.
Norditropin® has been used to treat children and adults for over 25 years. Norditropin® was approved for use in the United States in 1995.
Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Norditropin®, has been a trusted leader in drug research and development for 90 years.
Norditropin® is FDA approved to treat:
- children who are not growing because of low or no growth hormone
- children who are short (in stature) and who have Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or were born small (small for gestational age-SGA) and have not caught-up in growth by age 2 to 4 years
- children who have Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)
- children who are not growing who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- adults who do not make enough growth hormone
The Norditropin® FlexPro® pen is a prefilled device that is used to inject the medication under the skin. It can be injected in the back of the upper arm, abdomen, buttocks, or thigh. Change the injection site every day. Please see Instructions for Use for complete instructions.
Norditropin® is a specialized medication that will be filled through a specialty pharmacy and shipped to you. A specialty pharmacy focuses on specific medical conditions and the medications to treat those conditions, such as growth hormone deficiency.
Norditropin® clinical experience and common side effects
The safety of Norditropin® has been established in many clinical studies conducted around the world, as well as in an observational study in a real-world setting.b
bThe ANSWER Program was originally a post-marketing registry of adults and pediatric patients treated with Norditropin® as prescribed by their physician and according to routine clinical practice. Since it did not investigate treatment specifics, it was developed into a non-interventional, observational study that allowed evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of Norditropin® in a real-world setting in the United States.
The most common side effects of Norditropin® include injection site reactions and rashes, and headaches.
Norditropin® may cause serious side effects, including:
- High risk of death in people who have serious illnesses because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma, or breathing problems
- High risk of sudden death in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are obese or have breathing problems, including sleep apnea
- Increased risk of growth of cancer or a tumor that is already present and increased risk of the return of cancer or a tumor in people who were treated with radiation to the brain or head as children and who developed low growth hormone problems.
- New or worsening high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or diabetes
- Increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). If you or your child has headaches, eye problems, nausea or vomiting, contact the healthcare provider
- Serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you or your child has the following symptoms: swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching, skin rashes, redness or swelling, dizziness or fainting, fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest, or sweating
- Swelling in the hands and feet, pain in joints or muscles, or nerve problems that cause pain, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, legs, and feet.
- Decrease in a hormone called cortisol. There may be darkening of the skin, severe fatigue, dizziness, weakness, or weight loss if cortisol levels go down.
- Decrease in thyroid hormone levels
- Hip and knee pain or a limp in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis)
- Worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- Severe and constant abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. Speak to your healthcare provider if there is new abdominal pain
- Loss of fat and tissue weakness in the area you inject
- Increase in phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels in your blood
These are not all the possible side effects of Norditropin®. For more information, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects to Novo Nordisk at 1-888-NOVO-444 (1-888-668-6444).
For full Prescribing Information, click here. For additional important safety information, click here.
The device and storage of the device
People in one study said Norditropin® pens are easy to learn to use. The study included 94 people who used the Norditropin® FlexPro® 30 mg pen to inject into a foam cushion. They rated FlexPro® a 6.7 out of 7 (on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means “strongly disagree” and 7 means “strongly agree”), as “easy to learn to use.”
All unused Norditropin® products must be refrigerated (36 °F to 46 °F) prior to first use. Do not freeze and avoid direct light. After first injection, Norditropin® pens can either be stored outside of the refrigerator (up to 77 °F) for use within 3 weeks, or in the refrigerator (between 36 °F and 46 °F) for use within 4 weeks.
FlexPro® pens come premixed and preloaded.
Uncap the pen and look at the medication through the window on the pen. If it appears cloudy or discolored, call your Specialty Pharmacy or NovoCare® to inquire further. If it’s clear, and you’ve followed all storage requirements and precautions regarding the handling of the pen, the medication has not gone bad and is safe to use.
Norditropin® pens are compatible with NovoFine® needles, which are among the thinnest needles we make. They’re not like some of the needles you may be used to seeing at the doctor’s office. Our thinnest NovoFine® needle in the United States is 32 gauge at the tip.c,d Norditropin® pens are designed to be used with all Novo Nordisk disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm.
cNeedles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
dDo not share your Norditropin® pens and needles with another person even if the needle has been changed. You may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.
We offer a cover called PenMate® for people who prefer needles to be hidden during injection. PenMate® comes separately from FlexPro® and is designed for use with FlexPro® 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg pens.e
PenMate® completely covers the needle—you won’t see the needle during injection. Pressing the insertion button inserts the needle into the skin for you. With its large gripping surface, you can hold it firmly in your hands. PenMate® is reusable, too: just remove it from a used FlexPro® pen and reuse it with the next one.
ePenMate® can't be used with the Norditropin® FlexPro® 30 mg pen.
For complete instructions on attaching PenMate® to your FlexPro® pen, please see the PenMate® Instructions for Use section of the Prescribing Information. PenMate® is reusable; don't throw it away when you throw out your empty FlexPro® pen.
Treatment and growth expectations
The dose will be calculated by your doctor. Children may need to be given Norditropin® 6 or 7 days per week. Adults should take Norditropin® daily.
Individual results can vary, so be sure to talk to your doctor to get realistic expectations about growth.
That depends on many factors, including the patient’s target height, which is based on the height of his or her parents. Individual results can vary, so be sure to talk to your doctor so you and your child can have realistic expectations about growth.
Not everyone stays on growth therapy for the same amount of time. Your doctor will let you know how long treatment may last based on how your child responds. It’s important that you don’t stop taking your growth hormone until your doctor says it is time.
Insurance support and savings
Novo Nordisk, the maker of Norditropin®, offers several different ways to help patients get, and stay on, therapy. These include the Norditropin® Co-pay Assistance Program, which reduces your co-payments to as little as $0 a month, up to $1,500 a year; the Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which provides free product to eligible patients who show financial need; and JumpStart™, which provides free Norditropin® at the beginning of therapy, or in special circumstances later in therapy, to make sure patients receive treatment. These programs have strict eligibility requirements. Call NovoCare® (1-888-NOVO-444, or 1-888-668-6444) to find out whether you qualify.
No, NovoCare® is a free program. Our Case Managers are dedicated to providing you with the information you need to deal with insurance matters.
If your pen should become lost or damaged and you need a replacement, call 1-888-668-6444.
Let’s grow. Let’s go!
Designed with patients in mind
Norditropin® (somatropin) injection comes in prefilled FlexPro® injection pens. They’re easy to learn to use.f
Please see Instructions for Use for complete instructions.
Wiliam, born with GHD
Stories of growth
Learn what other families have to say about establishing routines, finding support, and other aspects of their personal growth journeys.
Aria, born with GHD
fIn a study, 94 people used the Norditropin® FlexPro® 30 mg pen to inject into a foam cushion, and rated it a 6.7 out of 7 (on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means “strongly disagree” and 7 means “strongly agree”), as “easy to learn to use.”
Important Safety Information:
Do not use Norditropin® if:
- you have a critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or breathing (respiratory) problems
- you are a child with Prader-Willi syndrome who is severely obese or has breathing problems including sleep apnea
- you have cancer or other tumors
- you are allergic to somatropin or any of the ingredients in Norditropin®
- your healthcare provider tells you that you have certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
- you are a child with closed bone growth plates (epiphyses)
Before taking Norditropin®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have had heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory problems)
- have had a history of problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea)
- have or have had cancer or any tumor
- have diabetes
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Norditropin® may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Norditropin® works.
How should I use Norditropin®?
- Use Norditropin® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
- Do not share your Norditropin® pens and needles with another person even if the needle has been changed. You may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.
What are the possible side effects of Norditropin®?
Norditropin® may cause serious side effects, including:
- high risk of death in people who have critical illnesses because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory) problems
- high risk of sudden death in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have breathing problems including sleep apnea
- increased risk of growth of cancer or a tumor that is already present and increased risk of the return of cancer or a tumor in people who were treated with radiation to the brain or head as children and who developed low growth hormone problems. Contact the healthcare provider if you or your child start to have headaches, or have changes in behavior, changes in vision, or changes in moles, birthmarks, or the color of your skin
- new or worsening high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or diabetes
- increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). If you or your child has headaches, eye problems, nausea or vomiting, contact the healthcare provider
- serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you or your child has the following symptoms: swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching, skin rashes, redness or swelling, dizziness or fainting, fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest, or sweating
- your body holding too much fluid (fluid retention) such as swelling in the hands and feet, pain in your joints or muscles or nerve problems that cause pain, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, legs and feet. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms of fluid retention.
- decrease in a hormone called cortisol. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has darkening of the skin, severe fatigue, dizziness, weakness or weight loss
- decrease in thyroid hormone levels
- hip and knee pain or a limp in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis)
- worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- severe and constant abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has any new abdominal pain.
- loss of fat and tissue weakness in the area of skin you inject
- increase in phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels in your blood
The most common side effects of Norditropin® include:
- injection site reactions and rashes, and headaches
Please click here for Norditropin® Prescribing Information.
What is Norditropin® (somatropin) injection?
Norditropin® is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone and is used to treat:
- children who are not growing because of low or no growth hormone
- children who are short (in stature) and who have Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or were born small (small for gestational age-SGA) and have not caught-up in growth by age 2 to 4 years
- children who have Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)
- children who are not growing who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- adults who do not make enough growth hormone
What is Norditropin® (somatropin) injection?
Norditropin® is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone and is used to treat:
- children who are not growing because of low or no growth hormone
- children who are short (in stature) and who have Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or were born small (small for gestational age-SGA) and have not caught-up in growth by age 2 to 4 years
- children who have Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)
- children who are not growing who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- adults who do not make enough growth hormone
Important Safety Information:
Do not use Norditropin® if:
- you have a critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or breathing (respiratory) problems
- you are a child with Prader-Willi syndrome who is severely obese or has breathing problems including sleep apnea
- you have cancer or other tumors
- you are allergic to somatropin or any of the ingredients in Norditropin®
- your healthcare provider tells you that you have certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
- you are a child with closed bone growth plates (epiphyses)
Before taking Norditropin®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have had heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory problems)
- have had a history of problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea)
- have or have had cancer or any tumor
- have diabetes
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Norditropin® may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Norditropin® works.
How should I use Norditropin®?
- Use Norditropin® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
- Do not share your Norditropin® pens and needles with another person even if the needle has been changed. You may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.
What are the possible side effects of Norditropin®?
Norditropin® may cause serious side effects, including:
- high risk of death in people who have critical illnesses because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory) problems
- high risk of sudden death in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have breathing problems including sleep apnea
- increased risk of growth of cancer or a tumor that is already present and increased risk of the return of cancer or a tumor in people who were treated with radiation to the brain or head as children and who developed low growth hormone problems. Contact the healthcare provider if you or your child start to have headaches, or have changes in behavior, changes in vision, or changes in moles, birthmarks, or the color of your skin
- new or worsening high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or diabetes
- increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). If you or your child has headaches, eye problems, nausea or vomiting, contact the healthcare provider
- serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you or your child has the following symptoms: swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching, skin rashes, redness or swelling, dizziness or fainting, fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest, or sweating
- your body holding too much fluid (fluid retention) such as swelling in the hands and feet, pain in your joints or muscles or nerve problems that cause pain, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, legs and feet. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms of fluid retention.
- decrease in a hormone called cortisol. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has darkening of the skin, severe fatigue, dizziness, weakness or weight loss
- decrease in thyroid hormone levels
- hip and knee pain or a limp in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis)
- worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- severe and constant abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has any new abdominal pain.
- loss of fat and tissue weakness in the area of skin you inject
- increase in phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels in your blood
The most common side effects of Norditropin® include:
- injection site reactions and rashes, and headaches
Please click here for Norditropin® Prescribing Information.
Important Safety Information:
Do not use Norditropin® if:
- you have a critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or breathing (respiratory) problems
- you are a child with Prader-Willi syndrome who is severely obese or has breathing problems including sleep apnea
- you have cancer or other tumors
- you are allergic to somatropin or any of the ingredients in Norditropin®
- your healthcare provider tells you that you have certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
- you are a child with closed bone growth plates (epiphyses)
Before taking Norditropin®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have had heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory problems)
- have had a history of problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea)
- have or have had cancer or any tumor
- have diabetes
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Norditropin® may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Norditropin® works.
How should I use Norditropin®?
- Use Norditropin® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
- Do not share your Norditropin® pens and needles with another person even if the needle has been changed. You may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.
What are the possible side effects of Norditropin®?
Norditropin® may cause serious side effects, including:
- high risk of death in people who have critical illnesses because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory) problems
- high risk of sudden death in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have breathing problems including sleep apnea
- increased risk of growth of cancer or a tumor that is already present and increased risk of the return of cancer or a tumor in people who were treated with radiation to the brain or head as children and who developed low growth hormone problems. Contact the healthcare provider if you or your child start to have headaches, or have changes in behavior, changes in vision, or changes in moles, birthmarks, or the color of your skin
- new or worsening high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or diabetes
- increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). If you or your child has headaches, eye problems, nausea or vomiting, contact the healthcare provider
- serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you or your child has the following symptoms: swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching, skin rashes, redness or swelling, dizziness or fainting, fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest, or sweating
- your body holding too much fluid (fluid retention) such as swelling in the hands and feet, pain in your joints or muscles or nerve problems that cause pain, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, legs and feet. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms of fluid retention.
- decrease in a hormone called cortisol. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has darkening of the skin, severe fatigue, dizziness, weakness or weight loss
- decrease in thyroid hormone levels
- hip and knee pain or a limp in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis)
- worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- severe and constant abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has any new abdominal pain.
- loss of fat and tissue weakness in the area of skin you inject
- increase in phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels in your blood
The most common side effects of Norditropin® include:
- injection site reactions and rashes, and headaches
Please click here for Norditropin® Prescribing Information.
What is Norditropin® (somatropin) injection?
Norditropin® is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone and is used to treat:
- children who are not growing because of low or no growth hormone
- children who are short (in stature) and who have Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or were born small (small for gestational age-SGA) and have not caught-up in growth by age 2 to 4 years
- children who have Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)
- children who are not growing who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)
- adults who do not make enough growth hormone
