This page describes published research and public regulatory records. It is not medical advice. SoluneFit does not sell, supply, or recommend any compound. The SoluneFit app includes a private, on-device tracker for people who want a record of what they and their clinician have already decided — the app neither suggests compounds nor doses.
Also known as: rhGH, HGH, human growth hormone, Genotropin, Norditropin, Humatrope, Omnitrope, Zomacton.
Regulatory status
FDA-approved (e.g. Genotropin) for paediatric growth failure (GHD, Prader-Willi, SGA, Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature) and adult-onset or childhood-onset GH deficiency [1]. Federal law (21 U.S.C. 333(e)) makes knowingly distributing or possessing with intent to distribute hGH for any human use other than an FDA-authorised indication on a physician's order a felony: up to 5 years in prison, 10 if a minor is involved [2]. WADA-prohibited (S2.2.3) [4].
What it is
Recombinant human growth hormone (191-amino-acid protein, about 22 kDa, identical to pituitary GH).
Growth hormone made by recombinant DNA technology, with the same sequence as the hormone the pituitary makes. It is a prescription drug for children with growth failure from several causes and for adults with proven growth hormone deficiency; using it for anti-ageing or performance is not an approved use.
What the published research shows
Approved on controlled trials in GH deficiency and other growth disorders. For healthy older people, a systematic review of 18 small RCT populations (220 treated) found modest body-composition change and more side effects.
Published human studies and reports (these describe trial populations, not SoluneFit claims):
- Adult GH deficiency (Genotropin label): Non-weight-based: start about 0.2 mg/day SC (range 0.15-0.30 mg/day), increased by about 0.1-0.2 mg/day every 1-2 months by response and IGF-1. Weight-based: start no more than 0.04 mg/kg/week, up to no more than 0.08 mg/kg/week at 4-8 week intervals.
- Paediatric GH deficiency (Genotropin label): 0.16-0.24 mg/kg/week SC; other paediatric indications: Prader-Willi 0.24, Turner 0.33, idiopathic short stature up to 0.47 and SGA up to 0.48 mg/kg/week.
- Healthy elderly (Liu 2007 systematic review): Mean starting dose 14 µg/kg/day for a mean 27 weeks across 18 study populations: fat mass -2.1 kg and lean mass +2.1 kg, weight unchanged; more oedema, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and gynaecomastia, and somewhat more new diabetes or impaired fasting glucose. The authors concluded GH cannot be supported as an anti-ageing therapy.
Mechanism, as reported
Binds GH receptors, chiefly in the liver, raising IGF-1; together they drive growth in children and, in adults, shift body composition toward more lean mass and less fat. GH also opposes insulin, so it can raise blood glucose.
Practical record
- Elimination half-life: 3.0 h (confidence: high). Genotropin label: mean terminal half-life 3.0 h after subcutaneous injection in GH-deficient adults (0.4 h IV; the longer SC value reflects slow absorption from the injection site). SC bioavailability about 80 %.
- Studied routes: subcutaneous.
- Typical supply: Rx pens, cartridges and single-dose devices; Genotropin comes as 5 mg and 12 mg two-chamber cartridges and 0.2-2 mg MiniQuick single-dose devices.
- Reconstitution: Genotropin two-chamber cartridges mix the lyophilised powder with the diluent in the rear chamber (5 or 12 mg/mL; the 5 and 12 mg cartridges contain metacresol preservative). Do not shake; use only if clear and colourless.
- Storage: Genotropin: refrigerate 2-8 °C, protect from light, do not freeze; after reconstitution the 5/12 mg cartridges keep refrigerated up to 28 days.
Safety signals on record
- Reported adverse events: Fluid retention in adults (oedema, joint and muscle pain, carpal tunnel / tingling), usually dose-dependent and transient; headache; raised blood glucose and new-onset type 2 diabetes; intracranial hypertension; injection-site lipoatrophy; in children slipped capital femoral epiphysis and scoliosis progression.
- Contraindications: Label: acute critical illness after heart or abdominal surgery, multiple trauma or respiratory failure; Prader-Willi children who are severely obese or have severe respiratory impairment (sudden deaths); active malignancy; active proliferative or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; children with closed epiphyses; hypersensitivity.
- Interactions: Inhibits 11β-HSD1, so glucocorticoid replacement may need starting or increasing; oral oestrogen raises the GH dose needed; antidiabetic doses may need adjustment; monitor drugs metabolised by CYP450.
- Notes: Childhood cancer survivors treated with GH have a higher risk of a second tumour (especially meningioma after head radiation). Supply outside a prescription is illegal in the US and products from that channel are of unknown identity.
Sources
- GENOTROPIN (somatropin) for injection — US Prescribing Information (DailyMed, Pfizer, published Aug 2026) (2026)
- 21 U.S. Code § 333(e) — Prohibited distribution of human growth hormone (2026)
- Liu H et al. Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly. Ann Intern Med 2007;146(2):104-15 (2007)
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List (S2.2.3 Growth hormone, its analogues and fragments) (2026)
General wellness education, not medical advice. Unapproved compounds have no established dosing, purity standard, or safety profile.