Who should not receive Omnitrope^®?

Omnitrope should not be used by children or adults that have:

a critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, accidental trauma, or a sudden and severe breathing problem (respiratory failure)
Prader-Willi Syndrome who are severely overweight or have a history of breathing problems including sleep apnea
cancer or other tumors
allergies to growth hormone or any of the ingredients in the medicine
certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes
closed bone growth plates

What should patients tell their healthcare provider before taking
Omnitrope?
Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their
medical conditions, including if they:

have had heart or stomach surgery, trauma, or serious breathing problems
have or have had cancer or any tumor
have diabetes
take any prescription and non-prescription medicines, steroids, vitamins, or herbal supplements
are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed

What are the most common side effects of Omnitrope?

local reactions at the injection site (such as pain, numbness, redness and swelling)
headaches
swelling associated with fluid retention
pain in joints and muscle pain
carpal tunnel syndrome
tingling and numbness
high blood sugar (hyperglycemia/diabetes) and sugar in your urine (glucosuria)
unusual skin sensations
low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)

Other possible side effects of Omnitrope are:

return of tumor or cancerous growths
headaches, changes in vision, nausea or vomiting (these may be symptoms of raised pressure in the brain which requires immediate medical attention)
hip and knee pain or a limp in children, that can be a sign of slipped capital femoral epiphysis
worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine in children (scoliosis)
increased ear infections and ear disorders in children with Turner Syndrome; check for cardiovascular disorders (hypertension, stroke)
intense pain and tenderness in the abdomen as consequence of an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
gasping syndrome (decreased rate of breathing) in children from high levels of benzyl alcohol (an inactive ingredient)
Increased mortality in patients with Prader Willi Syndrome and acute illness