Somatropin is a form of human growth hormone. According to Drugs.com, this hormone is important in the body for promoting growth of the bones and muscles. Somatropin can be used for the treatment of growth failure in children and adults who lack this hormone, explains Drugs.com. Other conditions treated by somatropin include Noonan syndrome, chronic kidney failure, Turner syndrome, short stature at birth and to prevent severe weight loss in people with AIDS. As with any medication, somatropin has the risk of side effects.
Less Serious Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, most users of Somatropin will experience mild side effects that are not considered to be serious unless they increase or become overly bothersome. Such effects include headache, swelling of the breasts, pain in the joints, swelling or stiffness in the joints, mild nausea, mild abdominal pain and gas.
Serious Side Effects
Any serious side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately. Drugs.com says possible serious hazards of somatotropin include sudden and severe pain behind the eyes; changes in vision; swelling of the head, face, hands or feet; and numbness or tingling in the wrists, hands or fingers. There is also a risk of allergic reaction, which produces symptoms such as hives, trouble breathing and oral swelling. The Physicians' Desktop Reference suggests some patients may experience tissue deterioration or the development of antibodies to somatotropin. The antibodies will cause the body to react negatively to the drug and treat it like a foreign agent and fight it like any other infection. This is what leads to symptoms of infection.
Complications
The use of somatotropin can cause organ damage or signs of organ failure. This is especially true in individuals whose bodies do not metabolize the drug appropriately. Signs of this complication include sudden and severe pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever, irregular heart beat and yellowing of the skin or eyes, according to Drugs.com. These side effects may indicate liver or kidney problems. Other signs of organ damage include increased thirst or urination.
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