About Saizen

A variety of human growth hormones is readily available to treat growth disorders or regain youth, but you must be strictly monitored and under the care of a physician or endocrinologist. Some growth hormone replacement drugs can not be taken when certain conditions exist, such as congenital disease, diabetes with retinal problems, or allergies to the various ingredients present in the drug.

Benefits of Saizen Growth Hormone

All synthetic somatropin, Saizen included, is prescribed and used for long-term treatment of patients diagnosed as growth hormone deficient. Just recently, physicians have been prescribing the drug to women undergoing infertility treatments as the drug will enhance the quality of the oocytes retrieved from a woman’s body.

Saizen will affect a patient’s metabolism and will also stimulate tissue growth, in addition to skeletal, cell and muscle growth. Patients taking Saizen will not see immediate results and responses. But after approximately 30 days, patients will begin to see improved and enhanced sleeping patterns and increased energy and stamina.

After a couple months of treatment, patients will exhibit enhanced muscles, increased and improved sexual activity and hair and nail growth. During this phase, mental functioning will also be enhanced, as well body flexibility and strength. Six months into the treatment regimen, patients see cellulite reductions, healthier emotional functioning and a reduction in soreness and pain. The results are not all encompassing, and vary amongst patients. The drug is injected into the body, and should be injected into different areas to avoid inflammation and infection. It’s recommended to perform the injection in the evening for optimal results.

Dosage Information

Saizen is injected subcutaneously and dosages vary from children to adult and is typically modeled after each patient’s individualized situation. Doctors have recommended a weekly dosage of 0.18 mg/kg of the patient’s body weight. The dosage is then divided and taken on 3 alternate days, or daily.

The drug, like any growth hormone replacement drug, should only be administered before the growth plates have fused or closed. Patients can become tolerant of the drug if taken long-term and responses to the drug decrease over time. In adults, two different approaches may be taken to dosing, including dosage based on weight, or a non-weight based routine. In weight-based dosage, doctors have recommended that initial treatments be less than 0.005 mg/kg taken daily. There should be no increase more than 0.01 mg/kg per day after four weeks. Of course, this varies based on the individual’s situation. Dosage therapy can be modified during the course of treatment to fit the individual’s response rate.

For non-weight based treatment, doctors have recommended an initial dose of 0.21 mg/day. After response measurement and assessment, the dosage can be gradually increased by 0.1 to 0.2 mg per day. Doctors will assess every couple months to determine if the growth hormone therapy is working. In older or elderly patients, who are more prone to side effects, doctors have recommended a significantly lower initial dose and smaller incremental dosages.

Side effects

While some side effects can be rare, it’s best to discuss the side effects of Saizen with your physician before beginning any treatment plan. Also tell your doctor up front what other medications you are currently taking as some drugs can cause harmful interactions with Saizen.

Some side effects of the drug are common and more of an inconvenience rather than a danger. Many of these effects will diminish as your body adjusts to the growth hormones. Some effects can be treated with over the counter pain killers. Some of the more common side effects people experience while taking Saizen include body aches, joint and muscle pain, cold symptoms, bruising, itching, swelling and redness. Patients taking Saizen should be more aware of the less common symptoms which require medical attention. These effects include upper stomach pain, dry skin, fruity breath, dry mouth, increased urination, nausea, vomiting or increased heart rate. Emergency medical attention needs to be sought if Saizen overdose occurs. Symptoms of overdose include hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. Additionally, women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should only take Saizen is clearly indicated by a physician. Also, women who are breastfeeding should use caution if taking Saizen.

Long term use of Saizen can lead to glucose intolerance, and patients with diabetes or a family history of diabetes should also exercise extremely caution before using the drug.

Again, consult your doctor if you think you suffer from growth hormone deficiency, and discuss your options for therapy. Growth hormones have been utilized for years and can be extremely beneficial to those suffering from growth deficiency-related disorders.