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How do I use the HumatroPen?

You will receive a Pen User Manual with the HumatroPen®, and instructions on mixing the Humatrope with your cartridges (also known as reconstitution). Carefully read the User Manual before using the HumatroPen®, and read the Patient Information with mixing instructions before using a new cartridge. You can also view the User Manual for the HumatroPen® by selecting one of the links in the User Manual section of this page.

Pen User Manuals

Each patient or the patient's parent or guardian must carefully read the HumatroPen® User Manual before using the HumatroPen® (please see links below).

  • HumatroPen® 6 mg
  • HumatroPen® 12 mg
  • HumatroPen® 24 mg
  • Hidden Needle Cover

When taking Humatrope (somatropin for injection) remember

Below are some answers to questions you may have about the HumatroPen® 6 mg, 12 mg, and 24 mg injection devices.

See Full Pen User Manual that accompanies the HumatroPen® 6 mg, 12 mg, and 24 mg.

  • If you miss a dose of Humatrope, you should simply take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double up on doses.

  • Pen Needles are not included with the HumatroPen® injection device. You may need a prescription to obtain the Needles from your pharmacist.
  • BD Pen Needles are suitable for use with the HumatroPen®.
  • Ask your healthcare professional what Needle gauge and length is best to use.
  • Follow your healthcare professional's instructions on safe handling of Needles.

BD and BD Logo are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company.

  • Yes, a new needle must be used for each injection.
  • Remove the needle immediately after each injection and discard into a puncture-proof container. Use a new needle for each injection. This will help minimize the risk of infection, prevent leakage of Humatrope, keep out air bubbles, and reduce needle clogs.

  • Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container. Follow your healthcare professional's instructions on how to do this safely.

  • No. The New Cartridge Setup should be performed only once for each Cartridge, just before a new Cartridge is used for the first time.
  • The purpose of the setup is to make sure the HumatroPen® and Cartridge are ready to use.
  • If you repeat the New Cartridge Setup before each routine dose, you may run out of Humatrope early. The small amount of product used in the New Cartridge Setup will not affect the supply of Humatrope. Confirm that you have a 6 mg, 12 mg, or 24 mg Humatrope cartridge to match the corresponding HumatroPen®. This is important to ensure the prescribed dose of Humatrope is given. If it does not match, DO NOT USE and call The Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-LillyRX (1-800-545-5979), or call your healthcare professional.

  • DO NOT USE the HumatroPen® if the mg number (6 mg, 12 mg, or 24 mg) on the Humatrope Cartridge label does not match the number on the end of the Dose Knob and Front Housing of the HumatroPen®. This is important to ensure the correct dose of Humatrope is given.
  • Contact The Lilly Answers Center (1-800-545-5979) or your healthcare professional for assistance or to obtain a replacement HumatroPen.

  • Do not use the Pen if the liquid is cloudy or contains particles. Contact your healthcare provider or call Lilly at 1-800-545-5979 or go to www.humatrope.com.

  • Air bubbles may remain in the Cartridge after mixing.
  • If the HumatroPen is stored with a Needle attached, air bubbles may form in the Cartridge. DO NOT STORE the HumatroPen with a Needle attached.
  • Follow the instructions in Section 2, Step 2D of the User Manual for your pen (Remove air from new Cartridge) to remove air bubbles from the Cartridge.

It is normal to see small air bubbles. It will not cause any harm or affect the dose.

  • The Screw may not move out when you push the Injection Button unless there is a Cartridge in the HumatroPen®. This feature allows you to easily push the Screw into the HumatroPen® Body when replacing a Cartridge.
  • Once a Cartridge is attached, the Screw will move out when the Injection Button is pushed.

  • Check that the Cartridge is not damaged or broken.
  • Carefully line up the Cartridge with the HumatroPen® Body and screw together until secure. If the Cartridge and HumatroPen® cannot be screwed together, contact your healthcare professional.

  • The Needle may be clogged. Try attaching a new Needle.
  • Pushing the Injection Button down quickly may make the Injection Button harder to push. Pushing the Injection Button more slowly may make it easier.
  • Using a larger-diameter Needle will make it easier to push the Injection Button during injection. Ask your healthcare professional which Needle is best for you or your child.
  • The Injection Button may become harder to push if the inside of the HumatroPen® gets dirty.

  • This can happen if the HUMATROPE Cartridge does not have enough HUMATROPE left in it for the full dose.
  • At the end of the injection, the number in the dose window should be 0.00. If you see any number other than 0.00, this is the amount of HUMATROPE you did not receive. Write this number down and follow the steps below to get the rest of your dose.
  • To get the rest of your dose:
    • Remove the needle and empty Cartridge from the Pen.
    • Insert a new Cartridge, attach a new needle, and remove air from the new Cartridge (see Steps 2A through 2D in your Pen User Manual).
    • Complete your dose by injecting only the amount you did not receive (see Step 3C in your Pen User Manual).
    • If you still do not think you received your full dose, do not take another dose. Call Lilly at 1-800-545-5979 or your healthcare provider for assistance.

  • It is normal for a single drop to remain on the tip of the needle after the injection is complete. If you see more than one drop:
    • The full dose may not have been delivered. DO NOT INJECT another dose. Consult with your healthcare professional for assistance.
    • To prevent this, for the next dose, firmly push and hold the Injection Button in and slowly count to five.

  • The injection is complete when:
    • You place your thumb on the injection button, then slowly and firmly push the injection button until it stops moving.
    • Continue to hold the injection button for 5 seconds, then remove the needle from the skin.
    • You will see 0.00 in the center of the dose window.

  • Call 1-800-LillyRX (1-800-545-5979) to receive additional guidance/information.

Still have questions?

Helping You Find Answers

If you need technical support about using Humatrope, your HumatroPen®, or injection supplies, call your healthcare professional or call The Lilly Answers Center at 1-800-545-5979 from 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern time.

SAFETY SUMMARY

  • Do not take Humatrope if you are having serious complications after having open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, or serious injuries involving many body systems, or are having life-threatening breathing problems. Deaths have been reported in such cases.
  • Do not use Humatrope in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have a history of blocked upper airways or other severe breathing problems, or sleep apnea. Deaths have been reported in such cases. Humatrope is not approved for the treatment of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.
  • Do not use Humatrope if you have active cancer. Growth hormone deficiency can be an early sign of some tumors in the brain or pituitary gland. The presence of these types of tumors should be ruled out by your doctor before you start Humatrope.
  • Serious allergic reactions have been reported with Humatrope. Humatrope is contraindicated if you know you have allergies to growth hormone or any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have an allergic reaction. Do not mix Humatrope with the supplied diluent if you are allergic to metacresol or glycerin.
  • Your doctor should check your blood sugar regularly while you are taking Humatrope, especially if you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or risk factors for diabetes. New cases of type 2 diabetes have been reported in patients taking Humatrope.
  • Tell your doctor if you have any visual changes accompanied by headache, nausea, and/or vomiting while taking Humatrope. This may be a sign of increased pressure in the brain.
  • Adults may retain water during Humatrope treatment. This may be brief and may increase with higher doses of Humatrope.
  • If you have hypoadrenalism and are on glucocorticoid replacement therapy, your doctor may increase your dosage when you initiate growth hormone treatment.
  • Your doctor should test your thyroid function periodically during Humatrope therapy. Thyroid hormone treatment may need to be started or adjusted.
  • Fracture in the ball of the hip joint can occur in children who have endocrine problems and in children who have rapid growth. Any child taking Humatrope who develops a limp or complains of hip or knee pain should be seen by a doctor to check for this.
  • Progression of curvature of the spine (scoliosis) can occur in children who have rapid growth. Humatrope has not been shown to increase the occurrence of this condition. If the child has scoliosis, the doctor should carefully monitor the progression of the scoliosis during Humatrope treatment.
  • Cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported rarely in children and adults receiving growth hormone. Consult a doctor if you develop abdominal pain while taking Humatrope.
  • You should rotate your injection sites to avoid breakdown of skin and fat. Seek prompt medical attention for any allergic reaction you experience to the injection of Humatrope.

Who should not take Humatrope?

Humatrope should not be used by:

  • People with serious complications after having open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, serious injuries involving many body systems, or with life-threatening breathing problems
  • Children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have a history of severe breathing problems
  • People with active cancer
  • People who have had an allergic reaction to growth hormone
  • People with diabetic disease of the retina (the lining in the back of the eyeball)
  • Children who have closed growth plates in their bones

What should I tell my doctor before taking Humatrope?

Tell your doctor about all of your prescription and over the counter drugs, including cyclosporine, hormone replacement therapy, insulin or other diabetes medications, drugs containing steroids, or drugs for seizures. These medications may need to be adjusted while taking Humatrope.

What are the possible side effects of Humatrope?

Common side effects reported in adults and children taking Humatrope include upper respiratory infection, fever, throat inflammation, headache, inner ear inflammation, swelling, joint pain, unusual skin sensations, muscle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, leg swelling, flu syndrome, low thyroid, and high blood sugar.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store Humatrope?

Humatrope must be kept refrigerated (36° to 46°F [2° to 8°C]) before and after it is mixed. Do not freeze. Once Humatrope has been mixed and is in liquid form, cartridges must be used within 28 days and vials must be used within 14 days. Throw away any unused Humatrope in a cartridge after 28 days and in a vial after 14 days. Before giving an injection, check the manufacturer’s expiration date on the cartridge or vial. Do not use the cartridge or vial if it has expired.

Humatrope is available by prescription only.

HG CON ISI 14SEP2022

See Full Prescribing Information, Instructions for Use - Cartridge and Instructions for Use – Vial.

INDICATIONS

Humatrope® (somatropin) for injection is used to treat children who are short or growing slowly because they:

  • Do not make enough growth hormone on their own
  • Have Turner syndrome
  • Have idiopathic short stature, which means they are shorter than 98.8% of other children of the same age and sex, are growing at a rate not likely to allow them to reach normal adult height
  • Have SHOX deficiency
  • Were born smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy and do not catch up in height by 2 to 4 years of age

Humatrope is used to treat adults who have growth hormone deficiency.

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This site is intended for US residents aged 18 or older.

Humatrope® and HumatroPen® are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. Humatrope is available by prescription only.

Models used for illustrative purposes only. Not actual patients.

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