Saizen Cartridge

The recommended dose depends on the circumstances and body weight of the person being treated. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose of Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) to be injected.

Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) is administered by injection only. It is usually injected subcutaneously (under the skin), although it can be given intramuscularly (into the muscle) if your doctor prefers. If it is injected under the skin, it is important to rotate the site of injection in order to minimize the risk of fat wasting at the site of injection.

If you are using Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) at home, your doctor will ensure that you understand exactly how to use it. Make sure you ask any and all questions necessary to ensure that you use it exactly as prescribed. Please refer to the appropriate package insert for details on how to mix the medicine and for proper injection procedures. It is important to visit your doctor regularly during therapy to ensure that the medication is working safely and effectively.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of the medicine, call your doctor for further instructions. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Follow the package instructions for storing the medication. Do not use the solutions if they are discoloured or contain particles.

Keep Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause joint pain; it may cause pain at the injection site; it may cause muscle pain; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause leg swelling or water retention; it may cause numbness and a decreased sensitivity to touch. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Powder

3.33 mg
Each vial contains 3.33 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin). The diluent is 5 mL Bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride Injection. Non-medicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, mannitol, sodium chloride, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate.

5 mg
Each vial contains 5 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin). The diluent is 10 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection. Nonmedicinal ingredients: phosphoric acid and sucrose.

8.8 mg
Each vial contains 8.8 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin). The diluent is 10 mL Bacteriostatic Water for Injection. Nonmedicinal ingredients: phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sucrose.

Liquid

6 mg
Each cartridge contains 6 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) (5.83 mg/mL). Nonmedicinal ingredients: sucrose, Poloxamer 188, phenol, and citric acid.

12 mg
Each cartridge contains 12 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) (8 mg/mL). Nonmedicinal ingredients: sucrose, Poloxamer 188, phenol, and citric acid.

20 mg
Each cartridge contains 20 mg Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) (8 mg/mL). Nonmedicinal ingredients: sucrose, Poloxamer 188, phenol, and citric acid.

Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) injection should not be used by or given to anyone who:

• is allergic to Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) or any ingredients of the medication
• is a child with closed epiphyses (growth plates)
• has active cancer
• has a brain tumour
• has an acute illness due to complications of surgery, has respiratory (breathing) failure, or has just had a serious accident
• has certain types of eye damage due to Diabetes (proliferative or preproliferative diabetic retinopathy)
• has Prader-Willi syndrome and is severely obese or has severe breathing problems

There may be an interaction between Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) and any of the following:

• corticosteroids (e.g., cortisone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• diabetes medications (e.g., Canagliflozin, Glyburide, Glimepiride, insulin, Linagliptin, Metformin, repalinide, Rosiglitazone)
• estrogen

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin).

Cancer: There may be an increased risk of tumour growth, both cancerous and non-cancerous when growth hormone is used by survivors of childhood cancer. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.

Diabetes: Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin).

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hypothyroidism (low level of Thyroid hormone): If you have uncontrolled hypothyroidism, treatment with Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may not work as well as it could. Discuss with your doctor how Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Treatment with Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may trigger hypothyroidism. If you experience unexplained weight gain, muscle aches or stiffness, Constipation, dry skin or fatigue, this may be a result of too little thyroid hormone and you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis: People with scoliosis are at risk of a worsening of their condition while taking Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin). If you have scoliosis, discuss with your doctor how Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Seniors: Saizen Cartridge (Somatropin) should not be used in people over the age of 65 years.

This product must be injected under the skin (subcutaneously): Clean the tip of the pen with an alcohol swab and attach a needle. Select the required dose. Clean the skin at the injection site with an alcohol swab. Pinch the skin and inject the medication into the fold (wait several days before injecting the same site again). Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. Dispose of used syringes and needles safely. Your pharmacist can tell you the best way to do this.