Human Growth Hormone

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) is the growth hormone, which is synthesized in the lab. This hormone is a biosynthetic hormone similar to the human growth hormone, but it is produced in the lab. It is exact replication of human growth hormone and was not an easy task.

First scientist required to isolate human growth hormone. After achieving this step, they could study the DNA make-up of protein. Then the scientists realized that making a recombinant human growth hormone is not an easy task because they had to reproduce 191 amino acid hormones accurately.

Recombinant human growth hormone is a white, loose powder. It is the type of sterile, lyophilized formulation of recombinant human growth hormone whose molecular weight is 22 kilodalton and is similar to the nature human growth hormone in three-dimension structure and amino acid sequence.

Generic or trade names used for recombinant human growth hormone include Somatropin (Humatrope, Genotropin, Saizen, Nutropin) and Somatrem (Protropin, Humatrope).

Working of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rHGH)

By using the recombinant DNA technology, the purified growth hormone is manufactured. Children whose long bone growth is not yet completed can take recombinant growth hormone to increase the growth rate.

Who should not use recombinant growth hormone?

People with active cancer
People with respiratory failure
People with allergy to recombinant growth hormone
People with closed epiphyses (means whose long-bone growth is completed): Research and studies also suggest that, adults with closed growth hormone deficiency and epiphyses may still benefit from growth hormone replacement.

How to Use Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Recombinant human growth hormone should be taken under the advice of experienced doctor. These hormones are also available in the forms of injections administered by subcutaneous injections. They should be shallow administered just under the skin. According the response of growth rate, the dose should be adjusted. The dose may be administered 5-7 times a week, two week or once in a month depending on which preparation is prescribed.

Drug or food interactions

High doses of corticosteroids for example prednisone (Meticorten, Deltasone) suppress the growth-promoting effects of recombinant human growth hormone. People suffering from diabetes may need dose adjustments.

Side Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

In the treatment of rHGH at certain intervals, doctor will monitor the levels of blood sugar. Also in some cases, antibodies given to rHGH may create and prevent individuals from getting better response.

At the beginning of administration, turgescence, slight pain and itch happens around the position of injection. All these undesirable reactions were temporary and tolerable and ca be cured within one or two weeks without any treatment.

High dosage and long term administration of recombinant human growth hormone may produce antibodies in some patient. The concentration of antibodies could be rarely up to 2 mg/l that may minimize the therapeutic effect.

Human Growth Hormones

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