Somatorel 5MG(3.33) (Somatropin)

Somatorel 5MG(3.33) is Reliance Life Sciences's somatropin injection, 5 mg, in a vial of 1.5ml vial. Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone, given by injection to replace or supplement the hormone made by the pituitary gland.

Somatropin is prescribed for growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, for short stature in Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, chronic kidney disease and children born small for gestational age, for short bowel syndrome, and for HIV-related wasting. Use for slowing ageing or building muscle in healthy people is not approved and carries risks.

Growth hormone acts on the liver to raise insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which drives bone and cartilage growth in children. In adults it supports muscle, bone density and fat metabolism. Somatropin matches the natural hormone, so it replaces what is missing.

It is injected under the skin, usually once a day in the evening, with a pen or syringe in the thigh, buttock or abdomen, rotating the site. The dose is set by weight or body surface area and the doctor adjusts it using IGF-1 levels and growth. Store the vial or pen in the fridge. Follow your specialist and the pack leaflet.

• Redness, pain or lumps at the injection site.n- Headache, fluid retention, joint and muscle pain.n- Raised blood sugar and insulin resistance.n- Carpal tunnel symptoms and swelling of the hands and feet in adults.n- Rarely, raised pressure in the skull, a slipped hip in children and worsening of scoliosis.

Not for people with active cancer, serious illness after surgery or trauma, closed growth plates when used for height, or diabetic eye disease. Blood sugar, thyroid function and IGF-1 are checked. Somatropin is a prescription-only medicine and a controlled substance for non-medical use in some countries, so check your own rules before ordering.