This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Skytrofa
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat growth hormone deficiency.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
For all patients taking this drug:
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have any of these health problems: Breathing problems like sleep apnea; cancer or other tumors like a brain tumor; diabetic eye disease; or illness shortly after open heart surgery, stomach surgery, or accidental injury.
Children:
- If your child’s bones are no longer growing (closed epiphyses).
- If your child has Prader-Willi syndrome and is very overweight, has trouble breathing, or has sleep apnea.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
For all patients taking this drug:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- High blood sugar has happened with this drug. This includes diabetes that is new or worse.
- Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
- Have your blood work checked and eye exams as you have been told by your doctor.
- This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
- If you have cancer or a tumor or have ever had cancer or a tumor, talk with your doctor. The chance of cancer or tumor growth is raised with this drug. The chance of new tumors may also be raised in some patients.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
Children:
- If your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.
- If your child has an abnormal curve in the spine (scoliosis), talk with your doctor. This drug could make it worse in children who are still growing.
- If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
For all patients taking this drug:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Signs of low thyroid levels like constipation; not able to handle cold; memory problems; mood changes; or a burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- A skin lump or growth.
- Change in color or size of a mole.
- Skin breakdown where this drug is used.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Muscle or joint pain.
- Burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands, arms, wrists, legs, or feet.
- Raised pressure in the head has rarely happened with this drug. The risk may be greater in patients with Turner syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome. Signs most often happen within the first 8 weeks of starting this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have change in eyesight, a very bad headache, upset stomach, or throwing up.
Children:
- Children who use this drug may rarely have a bone problem in the hip (slipped growth plate). This can also lead to further bone injury. Call the doctor right away if your child has hip or knee pain or a limp.
- Very bad and sometimes deadly lung or breathing problems have happened in some children with Prader-Willi syndrome. The chance may be higher in children who have sleep apnea, an infection in the lungs or airway, a block in the airway, and in children who are very overweight. Call the doctor right away if your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, new or worse snoring, or breathing that is not normal while asleep.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the right or left side of the stomach, thigh, or buttocks.
- If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
- Give on the same day each week.
- Only use the cartridges with the Skytrofa auto-injector. Do not use with any other devices.
- Be sure you know how to use this drug. Read the instructions for use that come with this drug. If there are no instructions for use or you have any questions about how to use this drug, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
- If stored in a refrigerator, let this drug come to room temperature before using it. Leave it at room temperature for 15 minutes. Do not heat this drug.
- This drug needs to be mixed before use. Follow how to mix as you were told by the doctor.
- Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
- Do not inject through clothes.
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Do not take off the needle cap until you are ready to use.
- This drug is clear to slightly pearly. Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
- Do not use if solution changes color.
- After mixing, do not refrigerate.
- Use within 4 hours of making.
- Do not share this product with another person. This includes any needles or syringes, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know about.
- Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it has been more than 2 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses within 5 days of each other.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Store in the outer carton to protect from light.
- If needed, you may store at room temperature for up to 6 months. Write down the date you take this drug out of the refrigerator. You may put this drug back in the refrigerator within the 6 months. Throw this drug away if not used within 6 months after first taking it out of the refrigerator.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2025-09-19
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