What is Lonapegsomatropin?
Lonapegsomatropin, a form of human growth hormone, is used to treat patients 1 year of age and older with growth problems due to inadequate growth hormone secretion.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Lonapegsomatropin.
Side effects of Lonapegsomatropin
Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat, or tongue.
Lonapegsomatropin can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Walking with a limp or experiencing pain in the knees and hips
- Numbness in the wrist, fingers, or hands
- Severe swelling or puffiness of the hands and feet
- Changes in behaviour
- Unusual headaches and vision problems
- Changes in the size or shape of a mole.
- Joint pain or swelling;
- Pancreatitis: severe pain spreading from your upper stomach to your back. Nausea, and vomiting.
- High sugar, increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth and fruity breath.
- Increased pressure in the skull can cause severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea, as well as vision problems or pain behind the eyes.
- Signs of adrenal gland problems include extreme weakness, dizziness, loss of weight, skin changes, and feeling tired or weak.
Some of the most common side effects associated with lonapegsomatropin include:
- Cold symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing a sore throat.
- The nosebleed is a small, red or purple spot under the skin.
- Fever;
- Cough;
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
- Joint Pain.
There may be other side effects.Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Genotropin, Somatropin, Omnitrope, Humatrope, Norditropin flexpro, and Ngenla
Warnings
If you experience severe abdominal pain that spreads to your back, or if your symptoms include increased thirst and increased urination, severe headaches, ringing ears, nausea, dizziness, vision problems, weight loss, skin changes, or feeling weak, tired, or very weak, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
If you are allergic or have any of the following:
- A serious illness caused by lung failure or complications of recent surgery or injury;
- Closed epiphyses
- Active cancer
- Eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
- If you have a severe breathing problem (including sleep apnea) or are overweight, then you may be suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Cancer (especially in childhood)
- Diabetes;
- A head injury or brain tumour;
- Childhood brain tumours and radiotherapy treatment
- A pituitary disorder;
- Underactive thyroid
- The abnormal curvature (scoliosis) of the spine
- Sleep apnea is a breathing problem (breathing stops while sleeping).
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
How to take lonapegsomatropin?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all instructions on the label. Follow the directions on the label.Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you're not sure how to inject a medicine, ask your pharmacist or doctor.Lonapegsomatropin can be injected once a week under the skin. You can learn how to use the medication properly by yourself from a healthcare provider.Do not repeat the injection in the same area.Only prepare an injection when you're ready to administer it. If the medicine is cloudy or has changed colour, call your pharmacist.Never reuse a syringe or needle. Put them in a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof, and dispose of the sharps according to local or state laws. Keep away from children and pets.Even if the needle has been changed, never share an injectable pen, cartridge, or syringe. These devices can spread infections.You may require frequent medical tests.Keep it in the fridge in an outer carton to keep it away from light. Do not freeze.Lonapegsomatropin may also be stored at room temperature in the outer carton for up to six months. You can return lonapegsomatropin to the fridge within six months.Use lonapegsomatropin no later than 6 months from the date you first removed it from the fridge or until the medicine expires (whichever comes first).If you have questions regarding the proper storage of your medications, ask your pharmacist.
Details on dosage
The usual paediatric dose for growth hormone deficiency in children is:
1 year old and over and weighing 11.5 kg or more:
Dosage: 0.24 mg/kg once per week subcutaneously
Comments:
Individualise the dose according to response.
Round doses to the closest cartridge dose while taking into consideration treatment goals and patient responses.
If there is no improvement in height velocity during the first year, evaluate compliance and other causes of slow growth, such as hypothyroidism or undernutrition.
Discontinue after an epiphyseal fuse has occurred.
Use: Treatment for paediatric patients aged 1 year or older with a weight of at least 11.5kg and growth failure caused by inadequate secretion of endogenous Growth Hormone (GH).
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss a dose by more than two days, you should skip it. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.Overdose symptoms include tremors, shaking, cold sweats, and an increased appetite. Other symptoms may include headaches, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and nausea. A long-term overdose may cause excessive growth.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not a good idea to take certain medications at the same time. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, increasing side effects or making them less effective.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Hormonal replacement therapy or birth control pills
- Insulin, or oral diabetes medication;
- A steroid is a drug that contains a hormone (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others).
This list is incomplete. This includes vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.
