Somatropin Reference

Plain English

What it is

Somatropin is human growth hormone made in a lab using recombinant DNA technology. It is sold under prescription brand names like Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Saizen, and Omnitrope. It is a prescription-only medicine, not a supplement.

What people use it for

Doctors prescribe it only for specific approved reasons, such as children and adults whose bodies do not make enough growth hormone, plus growth failure tied to conditions like Turner syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome and a few other listed indications. Some people misuse it off-label for anti-aging or building muscle, but that kind of use is illegal in the US.

What the science shows

For its approved uses, somatropin has decades of label-backed human evidence behind it. pepSmart shares label-reference information only and does not support any off-label use.

The catch

It is banned in sport at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency under category S2 (peptide hormones and growth factors). Distributing or possessing it outside an FDA-approved use is illegal under the US Anabolic Steroid Control Act, and counterfeit or black-market product is a real, documented risk.

Reference summary

Somatropin is a label-verified recombinant human growth hormone product family with decades of approved-label evidence in the listed indications. pepSmart surfaces label-reference content only and does not endorse off-label use.

Regulatory and posture

Categories

GH Release, Hormonal

Aliases

Recombinant human growth hormone, Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Saizen, Omnitrope, rhGH, HGH

Evidence posture

human - Prescription recombinant human growth hormone. WADA-prohibited under category S2 at all times. Distribution and possession outside an FDA-approved indication is illegal under the United States Anabolic Steroid Control Act. Counterfeit-product and black-market diversion risks are well documented.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved prescription medication (Genotropin, Humatrope, Norditropin, Saizen, Omnitrope, and similar). Indications include pediatric and adult growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, chronic kidney disease pediatric short stature, idiopathic short stature, Prader-Willi syndrome, AIDS wasting, and short bowel syndrome - strictly per indication. WADA-prohibited under category S2 at all times. Possession or distribution outside an FDA-approved indication is restricted under the United States Anabolic Steroid Control Act.

Content review status

label verified

Related tools

• Injection-site rotation overview - Public overview of the Pro site-rotation planner.
• Protocol builder overview - Public overview of the Pro protocol builder.