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Overview: Skytrofa is used to increase the levels of human growth hormone in people with growth hormone deficiency. It works similarly to the body's natural human growth hormone to stimulate growth. The most common side effects include fever, cough, nausea, joint pain, and swelling in your hands, feet, or legs. Skytrofa is a once-weekly injection given under the skin by either you or a caregiver.

Uses

What is Skytrofa used for?

Skytrofa (lonapegsomatropin-tcgd) is commonly used for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Skytrofa may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Learn more about Treating Growth Hormone Deficiency With Skytrofa.

How does Skytrofa work (mechanism of action)?

People with growth hormone deficiency do not make enough growth hormone. Skytrofa acts similarly to the body's natural growth hormone to stimulate growth.

How is Skytrofa supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Skytrofa

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.7, 1.4, 1.8, 2.1, 2.5, 3, 3.6, 4.3, 5.2, 6.3, 7.6, 9.1, 11, and 13.3 mg single-dose, prefilled cartridges

How should I store Skytrofa?

Skytrofa cartridges should be stored inside their outer carton in a refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Do not freeze. You can also store the cartridges inside their outer carton at room temperature (up to 86 F or 30 C) for up to six months. If you do this, write the date that you first take them out of the refrigerator on the carton. You can return them to the refrigerator during the six months, but do not use Skytrofa more than six months after taking it out of the refrigerator.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Skytrofa?

The most common side effects of Skytrofa are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Viral infection, fever, cough
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
  • Bleeding
  • Joint pain
  • Swelling in your hands, feet, or legs

There may be other side effects of Skytrofa that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Skytrofa?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Skytrofa are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Skytrofa may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Skytrofa and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Cancer. Skytrofa can cause a new cancer to develop or cause a previously treated cancer to return if you have had cancer in the past, especially if you got radiation therapy to your brain or head. Tell your health care provider right away about any new symptoms that you may get, including any of the following.

  • New headaches
  • Vision changes
  • Skin color changes
  • Changes in how moles on the skin look
  • Behavior changes

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Skytrofa can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called increased intracranial pressure. Stop taking Skytrofa and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Vision changes

Fluid Retention (Edema). Skytrofa can cause fluid retention, also called edema. Fluid retention can cause serious issues in people with certain conditions, such as heart failure or kidney problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Swollen body parts, such as the belly or ankles
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Nerve pain

Reduced Adrenal Function. Skytrofa can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

  • Weight loss
  • Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness

​​Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Skytrofa may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop taking Skytrofa and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

High Blood Sugar. Skytrofa may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood work. Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Your breath smelling fruity

Severe Bone Problems. Skytrofa may cause severe bone problems, including osteonecrosis and a condition where the top part of your thigh bone slips at the growing end of the growth plate. Call your health care provider right away if you have bone pain, start walking with a limp, or have hip or knee pain that does not go away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Skytrofa?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Skytrofa.

  • Skytrofa
  • Lonapegsomatropin
  • Somatropin
  • Genotropin
  • Accretropin
  • Humatrope
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Skytrofa.

Serious Illness. Skytrofa should not be used if you are having serious breathing problems or if you are very sick after having surgery or a serious accident. 

Closed Growth Plates. Skytrofa should not be used in children with closed growth plates, also known as closed epiphyses. This means your bones have stopped growing. 

Cancer. Skytrofa should not be used if you have cancer. 

Diabetic Retinopathy. Skytrofa should not be used if you have a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Skytrofa can make this condition worse. 

Prader-Willi Syndrome. Skytrofa should not be used in people with Prader-Willi syndrome who are overweight or have breathing problems or a history of airway obstruction or sleep apnea. 

What should I know about Skytrofa before using it?

Do not use Skytrofa unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Skytrofa with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Skytrofa out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Keep all appointments for blood work and other tests. Your health care provider needs these results to help you use this medicine safely. 

Follow the “Instructions for Use” that come with this medicine. You can find a copy at www.Skytrofa.com/IFU. This medicine can only be used with the Skytrofa Auto-Injector device.

Do not inject your medicine in the same spot each time. Rotate the spots where you use this medicine. Ask your health care provider if you are unsure where you can use Skytrofa. If you inject Skytrofa in the same spot over a long period of time, you may get a condition called lipoatrophy. This is where you lose fat under the skin and your skin may look sunken in this spot.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Skytrofa?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Skytrofa is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Scoliosis
  • Diabetes or family history of diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Surgery on your heart or abdomen
  • Recent trauma like a car accident
  • Breathing problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Skytrofa may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Skytrofa, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Skytrofa could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Skytrofa passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should use Skytrofa while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Skytrofa?

For more information about Skytrofa, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.skytrofa.com or call them at 844-442-7236. 

Interactions

Does Skytrofa interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Skytrofa and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Skytrofa.

Does Skytrofa interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Skytrofa.

  • A corticosteroid, such as cortisone or prednisone, which are used for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Estrogen, which is which is found in certain birth control pills, patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories 
  • A medicine for diabetes

Skytrofa may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Skytrofa. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Skytrofa?

If you or someone else has used too much Skytrofa, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Skytrofa?

To help avoid missed doses, you can use a dose of Skytrofa up to two days before or after your scheduled dosing day. After that, return to your regular once-weekly schedule. If you miss your dose by more than two days, skip the missed dose and inject the next dose on your regular dosing day.