Strong human trialsFDA approved as Genotropin +7

Somatropin (HGH) side effects

Also known as: Somatropin · HGH · Human growth hormone · rhGH · Recombinant human growth hormone · Growth hormone · HGH 191aa

Updated Oct 24, 202635 sources

17 side effects reported for Somatropin (HGH): 13 from studies and labels, 4 from users and guides. 10 come with the ways people manage them.

GH axis

Somatropin (HGH) overview

Side effects reported in studies and labels

Rates as each trial or label states them. A rate from one trial does not carry over to research-grade vials or other doses.

From trials and regulators13

Clinical studies and regulatory documents.

Swelling of hands and feet (peripheral swelling)
17.5% vs 5.1% on placebo in the first 6 months of adult GHD trials
How people manage it
- The label says fluid-retention symptoms are usually transient and dose dependent; reduce the dose as needed.
Joint pain
17.3% vs 4.2% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
How people manage it
- Dose reduction, per the label.
Pain in the arms or legs
14.7% vs 5.9% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
Edema
10.8% vs 2.6% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
Tingling or numbness (paresthesia)
9.6% vs 1.9% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
Headache
9.9% vs 7.7% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
Stiff arms or legs
7.9% vs 1.6% on placebo, first 6 months, adult GHD
Carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve compression
Listed as a fluid-retention effect, especially in adults; usually transient and dose dependent
How people manage it
- Reduce the dose, per the label.
High blood sugar or new diabetes
May be unmasked; diabetes developed in 12 of 3,031 patients (0.4%) in Genotropin extension studies, all with risk factors
How people manage it
- Check glucose periodically; people on diabetes drugs may need dose changes.
Raised pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension)
Label warning; usually reversible after stopping or lowering the dose
How people manage it
- Eye exam for papilledema before and during treatment.
Underactive thyroid or low cortisol showing up
Label warning
How people manage it
- Periodic thyroid tests; watch cortisol in people with known hypoadrenalism.
Pancreatitis
Label warning
How people manage it
- Consider it with persistent severe belly pain.
Edema, joint pain, carpal tunnel and breast growth in healthy older adults
Significantly more common than without GH across 18 trial populations

Side effects users and guides report

What people post and what dosing guides list. These are reports, not measured rates.

From users and guides4

Community reports, competitor and vendor guides, media.

Numb or tingling hands on waking
A frequent thread topic at 1 to 4 IU a day
How people manage it
- Users drop the dose by about 1 IU or split it into morning and evening halves.
Poor sleep or night waking with evening doses
Repeated reports; some users sleep fine on bedtime doses
How people manage it
- Many switch to a morning injection.
Fatigue, sleepiness, brain fog
Reported at higher doses (6 to 10 IU)
Rising fasting glucose and IGF-1 on bloodwork
Reported even at 1 to 1.5 IU a day
How people manage it
- Users test IGF-1 and fasting glucose before starting and a few weeks in, and hold the dose if they climb.

Who should avoid it, and what not to combine

Active cancerCondition
Contraindicated on the label; monitor anyone with a past tumor for regrowth.
Acute critical illnessCondition
Two ICU trials in non-GH-deficient adults found higher death rates (42% vs 19%) on somatropin.
Severe diabetic eye diseaseCondition
Active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a contraindication.
Prader-Willi syndrome with severe obesity or breathing problemsCondition
Sudden deaths have been reported in these children.
Closed growth plates (for growth)Condition
Somatropin cannot add height once epiphyses have fused.
Insulin and other diabetes drugsSubstance
GH raises blood sugar, so doses of insulin or diabetes pills may need adjusting.
Oral estrogenSubstance
Women on oral estrogen may need larger somatropin doses.
GlucocorticoidsSubstance
Somatropin can unmask low cortisol; replacement doses may need to rise, and high steroid doses blunt growth in children.

How much is known

Strong human trials

Strong for approved uses: decades of randomized trials in GH-deficient children and adults. For off-label use, systematic reviews found healthy older adults lost about 2 kg of fat and gained about 2 kg of lean mass with more edema, joint pain and carpal tunnel, and athletes gained lean mass without more strength. Neither review supports anti-aging or performance use.