Humatrope

Definition

Humatrope is a brand name for a synthetic human growth hormone (hGH) medication used to treat growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults. It is a recombinant DNA-derived somatropin that helps promote normal growth and development by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Humatrope is approved by the FDA for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, as well as for the treatment of short stature in children born small for gestational age.
2. Humatrope works by stimulating the production of IGF-1, which in turn promotes linear growth, increased muscle mass, and other anabolic effects.
3. Patients receiving Humatrope therapy require careful monitoring of their growth, IGF-1 levels, and other potential side effects such as edema, joint pain, and glucose intolerance.
4. Humatrope is administered via subcutaneous injection, typically on a daily basis, and the dosage is carefully titrated based on the patient's response and laboratory values.
5. Long-term use of Humatrope has been associated with an increased risk of certain conditions, such as benign intracranial hypertension and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, particularly in children.

Review Questions

• Explain the mechanism of action of Humatrope and how it promotes growth and development.
  • Humatrope, a synthetic human growth hormone, works by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver. IGF-1 is a key mediator of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone, as it helps to stimulate cell reproduction and regeneration, leading to increased linear growth, muscle mass, and other anabolic effects. The increased levels of IGF-1 triggered by Humatrope administration are responsible for the therapeutic benefits seen in patients with growth hormone deficiencies.
• Describe the patient population for whom Humatrope is typically prescribed and the potential side effects associated with its long-term use.
  • Humatrope is approved for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency in both children and adults, as well as for the treatment of short stature in children born small for gestational age. While Humatrope can be highly effective in promoting growth and development, its long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of certain conditions, such as benign intracranial hypertension and slipped capital femoral epiphysis, particularly in children. Patients receiving Humatrope therapy require careful monitoring of their growth, IGF-1 levels, and other potential side effects, such as edema, joint pain, and glucose intolerance.
• Analyze the role of Humatrope within the broader context of growth hormone and suppressant therapies, and discuss how it fits into the overall management of growth-related disorders.
  • Humatrope, as a synthetic human growth hormone, plays a crucial role within the broader context of growth hormone and suppressant therapies. By providing a recombinant form of growth hormone, Humatrope helps to address deficiencies in endogenous growth hormone production, which can lead to impaired growth and development. Humatrope's ability to stimulate the production of IGF-1 makes it an important therapeutic option for the management of growth-related disorders, such as growth hormone deficiency in children and adults. However, the potential side effects associated with long-term Humatrope use highlight the need for careful patient monitoring and a comprehensive approach to the management of growth-related disorders, which may also involve the use of other growth hormone suppressants or adjunctive therapies.

Related terms

Growth Hormone (GH): Growth hormone is a peptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals.

Somatropin: Somatropin is a biosynthetic form of human growth hormone used to treat growth hormone deficiencies in both children and adults.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1): IGF-1 is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin that is produced primarily by the liver in response to growth hormone. It plays a key role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults.