Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Somatrogon may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Ngenla contains the active substance somatrogon, a modified form of human growth hormone. Natural human growth hormone is needed for bones and muscles to grow. It also helps your fat and muscle tissues to develop in the right amounts. Ngenla is used to treat children and adolescents from 3 years of age who do not have enough growth hormone and are not growing at the normal rate. The active substance in Ngenla is made by 'recombinant DNA technology'. This means that it is grown in cells that have been modified in the laboratory so that they can produce it. 2.
e Ngenla
Do not use Ngenla If you or the child in your care are allergic to somatrogon (see Warnings and precautions) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you or the child in your care have an active tumour (cancer). Tell your doctor if you or the child in your care have or have had an active tumour. Tumours must be inactive, and you or the child in your care must have finished your anti-tumour treatment before starting treatment with Ngenla. If you or the child in your care have stopped growing because of closure of the growth plates (closed epiphyses) meaning that you or the child in your care have been told by your doctor that your bones have stopped growing. If you or the child in your care are seriously ill (for example, complications following open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, acute respiratory failure, multiple accidental trauma or similar Page 1 of 18
conditions). If you or the child in your care are about to have, or have had, a major operation, or go into hospital for any reason, tell your doctor and remind the other doctors you are seeing that you use growth hormone. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Ngenla: If you or the child in your care develop a serious allergic reaction, stop using Ngenla, talk to your doctor right away. Sometimes serious allergic reactions such as hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis or angioedema (difficulties breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue) have occurred. If you or the child in your care have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
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Other medicines and Ngenla Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you or the child in your care are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. If you or the child in your care take replacement therapy with corticosteroid medicines (glucocorticoids), as these may reduce the effect of Ngenla on growth. You or the child in your care should consult your doctor regularly, as you or the child in your care may need adjustment of your glucocorticoid dose. If you or the child in your care are treated with insulin or other diabetes medicines, you should consult with your doctor as you or your doctor may need to adjust the dose. If you or the child in your care are receiving treatment with thyroid hormones, your doctor may need to adjust the dose. If you or the child in your care are receiving oestrogen taken orally, you should consult your doctor as you or the child may need to adjust your dose of Ngenla. If you or the child in your care are receiving ciclosporin (a medicine that weakens the immune system after transplantation), you should consult your doctor as your doctor may need to adjust the dose. If you or the child in your care are receiving medicines to control epilepsy (anticonvulsants), you should consult your doctor as your doctor may need to adjust the dose. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you or the child in your care are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you or the child in your care may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Ngenla has not been tested in pregnant women and it is not known if this medicine can harm your unborn baby. It is therefore preferable to avoid Ngenla during pregnancy. If you are able to get pregnant, you should not use Ngenla unless you are also using reliable contraception. It is not known whether somatrogon can pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor or the doctor of the child in your care, if you or the child in your care are breast-feeding or plan to do so. Your doctor will then help you or the child in your care decide whether to stop breast-feeding, or whether to stop taking Ngenla, considering the benefit of breast-feeding to the baby and the benefit of Ngenla to you or the child in your care. Driving and using machines Ngenla does not affect the ability to drive and use machines. Ngenla contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'. Ngenla contains metacresol Ngenla contains a preservative called metacresol. In very rare cases the presence of metacresol can cause inflammation (swelling) in muscles. If you or the child in your care experience muscle pain or pain at the injection site, inform your doctor. 3.
How to use Ngenla
This medicine will only be prescribed by a doctor who has experience with growth hormone treatment and who has confirmed your diagnosis or that of the child in your care. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
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The dose of Ngenla to be injected will be decided by your doctor. How much to use Your doctor will work out your dose of Ngenla from your body weight in kilograms. The recommended dose is 0.66 mg per kg body weight and is given once weekly. If you or the child in your care have been previously treated with daily growth hormone injections, your doctor will tell you to wait before taking the first dose of Ngenla until the day after your last daily injection and then continue with Ngenla once each week. Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to.
Ngenla is available as a pre-filled pen in 2 different sizes (Ngenla 24 mg and Ngenla 60 mg). Based on the recommended dose your doctor or the doctor of the child in your care will prescribe the most appropriate pen size (see section 6 "Contents of the pack and other information"). Before you or the child in your care use the pen for the first time, your/their doctor or nurse will show you how to use it. Ngenla is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using a pre-filled pen. Do not inject it into a vein or muscle. The best place to give Ngenla is in the abdomen (belly), thighs, buttocks or upper arms. Injections to the upper arms and buttocks should be given by the caregiver. Fatty tissue below the skin can shrink at the site of injection (see section 4). To avoid this, use a different injection site each time. If more than one injection is required to deliver a complete dose, each should be administered at a different injection site. Detailed instructions for use of the pre-filled pen are at the end of this leaflet. When to use Ngenla You or the child in your care should use this medicine once a week on the same day each week. You or the child in your care should record which day of the week you use Ngenla to help you or the child in your care remember to inject this medicine once a week. If necessary you or the child in your care can change the day of your/their weekly injection as long as it has been at least 3 days since you or the child in your care had your/their last injection. After selecting a new dosing day, continue giving yourself or the child in your care the injection on that day each week. If you use more Ngenla than you should If you or the child in your care have injected more Ngenla than you should have been given, contact your doctor straight away as your/their blood sugar levels may need to be checked. If you forget to use Ngenla If you or the child in your care forgot to inject a dose and: It is 3 days or less since you or the child in your care should have used Ngenla, use it as soon as you remember. Then inject your/their next dose on your/their usual injection day. It is more than 3 days since you or the child in your care should have used Ngenla, skip the missed dose. Then inject your/their next dose as usual on your/their next scheduled day. A regular dosing day should be maintained. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
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If you stop using Ngenla Do not stop using this medicine without talking to your doctor. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people Headache Bleeding, inflammation, itching, pain, redness, soreness, stinging, tenderness, or warmth at the injection site (injection site reactions) Fever (pyrexia) Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people Decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood (anaemia) Increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood (eosinophilia) Decrease in the blood level of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) Allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear layer over the outside of the eye (allergic conjunctivitis) Joint pain (arthralgia) Pain in arms or legs Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people The adrenal glands do not make enough steroid hormones (adrenal insufficiency) Rash Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data Localised loss of fat below the skin (lipoatrophy) Other possible side effects not seen with Ngenla but which have been reported in other growth hormone medicines treatment may include the following: Tissue growth (non cancerous or cancer) Type 2 diabetes Increased intracranial pressure (which causes symptoms such as strong headache, visual disturbances or vomiting) Numbness or tingling Joint or muscle pain Breast enlargement in boys and men Skin rash, reddening and itching Water retention (which shows as puffy fingers or swollen ankles) Facial swelling Pancreatitis (which causes symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea) In very rare cases the presence of metacresol can cause inflammation (swelling) in muscles. If you or the child in your care experience muscle pain or pain at the injection site, inform your doctor. Reporting of side effects If you or the child in your care get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Page 5 of 18
5.
Ngenla
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and on the carton after 'EXP.' The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. The pre-filled pen should not be used more than 28 days after first use. Before first use of Ngenla Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). Keep Ngenla in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Remove Ngenla from the refrigerator prior to use. Ngenla may be held at room temperature (up to 32 °C) for up to 4 hours. Do not use this medicine if you notice that the solution is cloudy or dark yellow. Do not use the medicine if it has flakes or particles. Do not shake the pen. Shaking can damage the medicine. After first use of Ngenla Use within 28 days after first use. Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep Ngenla with the pen cap on in order to protect from light. Do not store the pre-filled pen with a needle attached. Discard the pen after last dose, even if it contains unused medicine. Ngenla may be held at room temperature (up to 32 °C) for up to 4 hours with each injection for a maximum of 5 times. Return Ngenla to the refrigerator again after each use. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 4 hours with each use. Do not put the pen anywhere that the temperature goes above 32 °C. If it has been more than 28 days after first use of your pen, get rid of it even if it contains unused medicine. If your pen or the pen of the child in your care has been exposed to temperatures higher than 32 °C, or has been removed from the refrigerator for more than 4 hours with each use or if it has been used a total of 5 times, get rid of it even if it contains unused medicine. To help you remember when to dispose of your pen you can write the date of first use on the pen label. A small amount of medicine may remain in the pen after all doses have been correctly given. Do not try to use any remaining medicine. After the last dose is given, the pen must be properly thrown away. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. 6.
What Ngenla contains The active substance is somatrogon. Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen One mL of solution contains 20 mg of somatrogon. Each pre-filled pen contains 24 mg somatrogon in 1.2 mL of solution. Each pre-filled pen delivers doses from 0.2 mg to 12 mg in a single injection in 0.2 mg increments. Ngenla 60 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen One mL of solution contains 50 mg of somatrogon.
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Each pre-filled pen contains 60 mg somatrogon in 1.2 mL solution. Each pre-filled pen delivers doses from 0.5 mg to 30 mg in a single injection in 0.5 mg increments. –
The other ingredients are: trisodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, L-Histidine, sodium chloride (see section 2 "Ngenla contains sodium"), poloxamer 188, m-Cresol, water for injections.
What Ngenla looks like and contents of the pack Ngenla is a clear and colourless to slightly light yellow solution for injection (injection) in a pre-filled pen. Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection is available in a pack size containing 1 pre-filled pen. The pen cap, dose button, and label on the pen are coloured lilac. Ngenla 60 mg solution for injection is available in a pack size containing 1 pre-filled pen. The pen cap, dose button, and label on the pen are coloured blue. Marketing Authorisation Holder Pfizer Limited, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ, United Kingdom Manufacturer Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium NV Rijksweg 12 2870 Puurs-Sint-Amands Belgium For any information about this medicine, please contact: Medical Information, Pfizer Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7NS. Telephone 01304 616161. This leaflet was last revised in 11/2025 Ref: NL 5_0
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Instructions for use Ngenla 24 mg Pen Injection for subcutaneous (under the skin) use only Keep this leaflet. These instructions show step-by-step directions on how to prepare and give a Ngenla injection.
Important information about your Ngenla pen • •
• • • • • • •
Ngenla for injection is a multi-dose pre-filled pen containing 24 mg of medicine. Ngenla for injection can be given by a patient, caregiver, doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Do not try to inject Ngenla yourself until you are shown the right way to give the injections and read and understand the Instructions for Use. If your doctor, nurse or pharmacist decides that you or a caregiver may be able to give your injections of Ngenla at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject Ngenla. It is important that you read, understand, and follow these instructions so that you inject Ngenla the right way. It is important to talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to be sure you understand your Ngenla dosing instructions. To help you remember when to inject Ngenla, you can mark your calendar ahead of time. Call your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you or your caregiver have any questions about the right way to inject Ngenla. Each turn (click) of the dose knob increases the dose by 0.2 mg of medicine. You can give from 0.2 mg to 12 mg in a single injection. If your dose is more than 12 mg, you will need to give more than 1 injection. Each injection should be given at a different injection site. A small amount of the medicine may remain in the pen after all doses have been correctly given. This is normal. Patients should not try to use the remaining solution but get rid of the pen in the correct way. Do not share your pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them. Always use a new sterile needle for each injection. This will reduce the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of medicine, and blocked needles leading to the wrong dose. Do not shake your pen. Shaking can damage the medicine. The pen is not recommended for use by the blind or visually impaired without the assistance of a person trained in the proper use of the product.
Supplies you will need each time you inject Included in the carton:
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Needles to use Pen needles are not included with your Ngenla pen. You can use pen needles from 4 mm to 8 mm and between 30G and 32G.
Note: Needles with safety shield do not have an inner needle cap. Steps 5, 6 and 11 within these instructions relating to the inner needle cap may not apply when using a needle with safety shield. Refer to the needle manufacturer's instructions for use for more information. Caution: Never use a bent or damaged needle. Always handle pen needles with care to make sure you do not prick yourself (or anyone else) with the needle. Do not attach a new needle to your pen until you are ready for your injection.
Preparing for your injection Step 1 Getting ready •
Wash and dry your hands.
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• • • •
•
You can use your pen straight from the refrigerator. For a more comfortable injection, leave your pen at room temperature for up to 30 minutes. (See section 5 "How to store Ngenla" of the Ngenla 24 mg pre-filled pen Package Leaflet). Check the name, strength, and label of your pen to make sure it is the medicine your doctor has prescribed for you. Check the expiry date on the pen label. Do not use if the expiry date has passed. Do not use your pen if: o it has been frozen or exposed to heat (above 32 °C) or it has been more than 28 days after first use of the pen. (See section 5 "How to store Ngenla" of the Ngenla 24 mg pre-filled pen Package Leaflet). o it has been dropped o it looks broken or damaged Do not remove the pen cap from your pen – until you are ready to inject.
Step 2 Choose and clean your injection site
• • • • • • •
Ngenla can be given in the abdomen (belly), thighs, buttocks, or upper arms. Choose the best place to inject, as recommended by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Choose a different injection site for each injection. If more than 1 injection is needed to complete your full dose, each injection should be given in a different injection site. Do not inject into bony areas, areas that are bruised, red, sore or hard, and areas that have scars or skin conditions. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Allow the injection site to dry. Do not touch injection site after cleaning.
Step 3 Check medicine
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• • • •
Pull off the pen cap and keep it for after your injection. Check the medicine inside the cartridge holder. Make sure the medicine is clear and colourless to slightly light yellow. Do not inject the medicine if it is cloudy or dark yellow. Make sure the medicine is free of flakes or particles. Do not inject the medicine if it has flakes or particles. Note: It is normal to see one or more bubbles in the medicine.
Step 4 Attach needle
• • •
Take a new needle and pull off the protective paper. Line the needle up with your pen keeping them both straight. Gently push and then screw the needle onto your pen. Do not over tighten. Note: Be careful not to attach the needle at an angle. This may cause the pen to leak. Caution: Needles have sharp tips at both ends. Handle with care to make sure you do not prick yourself (or anyone else) with the needle.
Step 5 Pull off outer needle cover
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• •
Pull off the outer needle cover. Make sure you keep the outer needle cover. You will need it later to remove the needle. Note: You should see an inner needle cap after you have removed the outer cover. If you do not see this, try to attach the needle again. Note: If using needle with safety shield, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Step 6 Pull off inner needle cap
• •
Pull off the inner needle cap carefully to show the needle. Throw away the inner needle cap in a sharps container. It is not needed again. Note: If using needle with safety shield, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for use.
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('Yes: Go to new pen set up' has an arrow directing to 'New pen set up (priming)' and 'No' has an arrow directing to 'Setting your prescribed dose')
New pen set up (priming) – for the first use of a new pen only You must set up each new pen (priming) before using it for the first time • •
New pen set up is done before each new pen is used for the first time. The purpose of setting up a new pen is to remove air bubbles and make sure you get the correct dose. Important: Skip Step-A through to Step-C if you have already set up your pen.
Step-A: Set knob to 0.4
•
Turn the dose knob to 0.4. Note: If you turn the dose knob too far, you can turn it back.
Step-B: Tap cartridge holder
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• •
Hold the pen with the needle pointing up so that the air bubbles can rise. Tap the cartridge holder gently to float any air bubbles to the top. Important: Follow Step-B even if you do not see air bubbles.
Step-C: Press button and check for liquid
• • •
Press the injection button until it cannot go any further and "0" is shown in the dose window. Check for liquid at the needle tip. If liquid appears, your pen is set up. Always make sure that a drop of liquid appears before you inject. If liquid has not appeared, repeat Step-A through to Step-C. o If liquid does not appear after you have repeated Step-A through Step-C five (5) times, attach a new needle and try one (1) more time. Do not use the pen if a drop of liquid still does not appear. Contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, and use a new pen.
Setting your prescribed dose Step 7 Set your dose
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•
•
Turn the dose knob to set your dose. o The dose can be increased or decreased by turning the dose knob in either direction. o The dose knob turns 0.2 mg at a time. o Your pen contains 24 mg of medicine but you can only set a dose of up to 12 mg for a single injection. o The dose window shows the dose in mg. See Examples A and B. Always check the dose window to make sure you have set the correct dose. Important: Do not press the injection button while setting your dose.
What should I do if I cannot set the dose I need?
Injecting your dose Step 8 Insert the needle
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• •
Hold your pen so you can see the numbers in the dose window. Insert the needle straight into your skin.
Step 9 Inject your medicine
• •
Keep holding the needle in the same position in your skin. Press the injection button until it cannot go any further and "0" is shown in the dose window.
Step 10 Count to 10
• •
Continue to press the injection button while counting to 10. Counting to 10 will allow the full dose of medicine to be given. After counting to 10, let go of the injection button and slowly remove the pen from the injection site by pulling the needle straight out. Page 16 of 18
Note: You may see a drop of medicine at the needle tip. This is normal and does not affect the dose you just received.
Step 11 Attach outer needle cover
• •
Carefully place the outer needle cover back on the needle. Press on the outer needle cover until it is secure. Caution: Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may prick yourself with the needle. Note: If using needle with safety shield, refer to manufacturer's instructions for use.
Step 12 Remove the needle
• •
Unscrew the needle from the pen. Gently pull until the needle comes off. Note: If the needle is still on, replace the outer needle cover and try again. Be sure to apply pressure when unscrewing the needle. Dispose of your used pen needles in a sharps container as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist and in accordance with local health and safety laws. Keep the sharps container out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles.
Step 13 Replace the pen cap
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• • •
Replace the pen cap back onto your pen. Do not recap the pen with a needle attached. If there is any medicine left in your pen, store in the refrigerator between uses. (See section 5 "How to store Ngenla" of the Ngenla 24 mg pre-filled pen Package Leaflet).
Step 14 After your injection • • • • •
Press lightly on the injection site with a clean cotton ball or gauze pad, and hold for a few seconds. Do not rub the injection site. You may have slight bleeding. This is normal. You may cover the injection site with a small adhesive bandage, if needed. If your pen is empty or it has been more than 28 days after first use, throw it away even if it contains unused medicine. Throw away your pen in the sharps container. To help you remember when to dispose of your pen you can write the date of first use on the pen label and below:
Date of first use ______ / ______ / ______
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Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre filled pen comes as injection containing 24mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre filled pen is somatrogon.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre filled pen, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Ngenla is indicated for the treatment of children and adolescents from 3 years of age with growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone.
Treatment should be initiated and monitored by physicians who are qualified and experienced in the diagnosis and management of paediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
Posology
The recommended dose is 0.66 mg/kg body weight administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection.
Each pre-filled pen is capable of setting and delivering the dose prescribed by the physician. Dose may be rounded up or down based on the physician's expert knowledge of the individual patient needs. When doses higher than 30 mg are needed (i.e. bodyweight > 45 kg), two injections have to be administered.
Starting dose for patients switching from daily growth hormone medicinal products
For patients switching from daily growth hormone medicinal products, the weekly therapy with somatrogon may be initiated at a dose of 0.66 mg/kg/week on the day following their last daily injection.
Dose titration
Somatrogon dose may be adjusted as necessary, based on growth velocity, adverse reactions, body weight and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations.
When monitoring for IGF-1, samples should always be drawn 4 days after the prior dose. Dose adjustments should be targeted to achieve average IGF-1 standard deviation score (SDS) levels in the normal range, i.e. between -2 and +2 (preferably close to 0 SDS).
In patients whose serum IGF-1 concentrations exceed the mean reference value for their age and sex by more than 2 SDS, the dose of somatrogon should be reduced by 15%. More than one dose reduction may be required in some patients.
Treatment evaluation and discontinuation
Evaluation of efficacy and safety should be considered at approximately 6 to 12 month intervals and may be assessed by evaluating auxological parameters, biochemistry (IGF-1, hormones, glucose levels) and pubertal status. Routine monitoring of serum IGF-1 SDS levels throughout the course of treatment is recommended. More frequent evaluations should be considered during puberty.
Treatment should be discontinued when there is evidence of closure of the epiphyseal growth plates (see section 4.3). Treatment should also be discontinued in patients having achieved final height or near final height, i.e. an annualised height velocity < 2 cm/year or a bone age > 14 years in girls or > 16 years in boys.
Missed dose
Patients should maintain their regular dosing day. If a dose is missed, somatrogon should be administered as soon as possible within 3 days after the missed dose, and then the usual once weekly dosing schedule should be resumed. If more than 3 days have passed, the missed dose should be skipped and the next dose should be administered on the regularly scheduled day. In each case, patients can then resume their regular once weekly dosing schedule.
Changing the dosing day
The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary as long as the time between two doses is at least 3 days. After selecting a new dosing day, the once weekly dosing should be continued.
Special populations
Elderly
The safety and efficacy of somatrogon in patients over the age of 65 years have not been established. No data are available.
Renal impairment
Somatrogon has not been studied in patients with renal impairment. No dose recommendation can be made.
Hepatic impairment
Somatrogon has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. No dose recommendation can be made.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of somatrogon in neonates, infants and children less than 3 years of age have not yet been established. No data are available.
Method of administration
Somatrogon is administered by subcutaneous injection.
Somatrogon is to be injected in the abdomen, thighs, buttocks or upper arms. The site of injection should be rotated at each administration to prevent lipoatrophy (see section 4.8). Injections to the upper arms and buttocks should be given by the caregiver.
The patient and caregiver should receive training to ensure understanding of the administration procedure to support self-administration.
If more than one injection is required to deliver a complete dose, each injection should be administered at a different injection site to prevent lipoatrophy.
Somatrogon is to be administered once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of the day.
Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
The pre-filled pen delivers doses from 0.2 mg to 12 mg of somatrogon in increments of 0.2 mg (0.01 mL).
Ngenla 60 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
The pre-filled pen delivers doses from 0.5 mg to 30 mg of somatrogon in increments of 0.5 mg (0.01 mL).
For instructions on the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6 and at the end of the package leaflet.
Hypersensitivity to somatrogon (see section 4.4) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Somatrogon must not be used when there is any evidence of activity of a tumour based on experience with daily growth hormone medicinal products. Intracranial tumours must be inactive and antitumour therapy must be completed prior to starting growth hormone (GH) therapy. Treatment should be discontinued if there is evidence of tumour growth (see section 4.4).
Somatrogon must not be used for growth promotion in children with closed epiphyses.
Patients with acute critical illness suffering complications following open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma, acute respiratory failure or similar conditions must not be treated with somatrogon (regarding patients undergoing substitution therapy, see section 4.4).
Traceability
In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded.
Hypersensitivity
Serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema) have been reported with daily growth hormone medicinal products. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, use of somatrogon should be immediately discontinued; patients should be treated promptly per standard of care and monitored until signs and symptoms resolve (see section 4.3).
Hypoadrenalism
Based on published data patients receiving daily growth hormone therapy who have or are at risk for pituitary hormone deficiency(s) may be at risk for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or unmasking of central (secondary) hypoadrenalism. In addition, patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses following initiation of somatrogon treatment (see section 4.5). Patients should be monitored for reduced serum cortisol levels and/or need for glucocorticoid dose increases in those with known hypoadrenalism (see section 4.5).
Thyroid function impairment
Growth hormone increases the extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3 and may unmask incipient hypothyroidism. Patients with pre-existing hypothyroidism should be treated accordingly prior to the initiation of treatment with somatrogon as indicated based on clinical evaluation. As hypothyroidism interferes with the response to growth hormone therapy, patients should have their thyroid function tested regularly and should receive replacement therapy with thyroid hormone when indicated (see sections 4.5 and 4.8).
Prader-Willi syndrome
Somatrogon has not been studied in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. Somatrogon is not indicated for the long-term treatment of paediatric patients who have growth failure due to genetically confirmed Prader-Willi syndrome unless they also have a diagnosis of GHD. There have been reports of sudden death after initiating therapy with growth hormone in paediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who had one or more of the following risk factors: severe obesity, history of upper airway obstruction or sleep apnoea, or unidentified respiratory infection.
Glucose metabolism impairment
Treatment with growth hormone medicinal products may reduce insulin sensitivity and induce hyperglycaemia. Additional monitoring should be considered in patients treated with somatrogon who have glucose intolerance, or additional risk factors for diabetes. In patients treated with somatrogon who have diabetes mellitus, hypoglycaemic medicinal products might require adjustment (see section 4.5).
Neoplasm
In patients with previous malignant disease, special attention should be given to signs and symptoms of relapse. Patients with pre-existing tumours or growth hormone deficiency secondary to an intracranial lesion should be examined routinely for progression or recurrence of the underlying disease process. In childhood cancer survivors, an increased risk of a second neoplasm has been reported in patients treated with somatropin after their first neoplasm. Intracranial tumours, in particular meningiomas, in patients treated with radiation to the head for their first neoplasm, were the most common of these second neoplasms.
Benign intracranial hypertension
Intracranial hypertension (IH) with papilledema, ataxia, visual changes, headache, nausea and/or vomiting has been reported in a small number of patients treated with growth hormone medicinal products. Funduscopic examination is recommended at the initiation of treatment and as clinically warranted. In patients with clinical or funduscopic evidence of IH, somatrogon should be temporarily discontinued. At present there is insufficient evidence to give specific advice on the continuation of growth hormone treatment in patients with resolved IH. If treatment with somatrogon is restarted, monitoring for signs and symptoms of IH is necessary.
Acute critical illness
In critically ill adult patients suffering complications following open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma or acute respiratory failure mortality was higher in patients treated with 5.3 mg or 8 mg somatropin daily (i.e. 37.1 – 56 mg/week) compared to patients receiving placebo, 42% vs. 19%. Based on this information, these types of patients should not be treated with somatrogon. As there is no information available on the safety of growth hormone substitution therapy in acutely critically ill patients, the benefits of continued somatrogon treatment in this situation should be weighed against the potential risks involved. In all patients developing other or similar acute critical illness, the possible benefit of treatment with somatrogon must be weighed against the potential risk involved.
Pancreatitis
Although rare in patients treated with growth hormone medicinal products, pancreatitis should be considered in somatrogon-treated patients who develop severe abdominal pain during treatment.
Scoliosis
Because somatrogon increases growth rate, signs of development or progression of scoliosis should be monitored during treatment.
Epiphyseal disorders
Epiphyseal disorders, including slipped capital femoral epiphysis may occur more frequently in patients with endocrine disorders or in patients undergoing rapid growth. Any paediatric patient with the onset of a limp or complaints of hip or knee pain during treatment should be carefully evaluated.
Oral oestrogen therapy
Oral oestrogen influences the IGF-1 response to growth hormone. If a female patient taking somatrogon begins or discontinues oral oestrogen-containing therapy, IGF-1 value should be monitored to determine if the dose of growth hormone should be adjusted to maintain the serum IGF-1 levels within the normal range (see section 4.2). In female patients on oral oestrogen-containing therapy, a higher dose of somatrogon may be required to achieve the treatment goal (see section 4.5).
Excipients
Sodium content
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially 'sodium free.'
Metacresol
Myositis is a very rare adverse event that may be related to the preservative metacresol. In the case of myalgia or disproportionate pain at injection site, myositis should be considered and if confirmed, other growth hormone medicinal products without metacresol should be used.
No interactions studies in paediatrics have been performed.
Glucocorticoids
Concomitant treatment with glucocorticoids may inhibit the growth-promoting effects of somatrogon. Patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency should have their glucocorticoid replacement therapy carefully adjusted to avoid any inhibitory effect on growth. Therefore, patients treated with glucocorticoids should have their growth monitored carefully to assess the potential impact of glucocorticoid treatment on growth.
Growth hormone decreases the conversion of cortisone to cortisol and may unmask previously undiscovered central hypoadrenalism or render low glucocorticoid replacement doses ineffective (see section 4.4).
Insulin and hypoglycaemic medicinal products
In patients with diabetes mellitus requiring medicinal product therapy, the dose of insulin and/or oral/injectable hypoglycaemic medicinal products may require adjustment when somatrogon therapy is initiated (see section 4.4).
Thyroid medicinal products
Treatment with daily growth hormone may unmask previously undiagnosed or subclinical central hypothyroidism. Thyroxine replacement therapy may need to be initiated or adjusted (see section 4.4).
Oral oestrogen therapy
In female patients on oral oestrogen-containing therapy, a higher dose of somatrogon may be required to achieve the treatment goal (see section 4.4).
Cytochrome P450 metabolised products
Drug-drug interaction studies have not been performed with somatrogon. Somatrogon has been shown to induce CYP3A4 mRNA expression in vitro. The clinical significance of this is unknown. Studies with other human growth hormone (hGH) receptor agonists performed in growth hormone deficient children and adults, and healthy elderly men, suggest that administration may increase the clearance of compounds known to be metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, especially CYP3A. The clearance of compounds metabolised by CYP3A4 (e.g. sex steroids, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants and ciclosporin) may be increased and could result in lower exposure of these compounds.
Pregnancy
There are no data from the use of somatrogon in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Ngenla is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether somatrogon/metabolites are excreted in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from somatrogon therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility
The risk of infertility in females or males of reproductive potential has not been studied in humans. In a rat study, the fertility in males and females was not affected (see section 5.3).
Ngenla has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
The commonly reported adverse reactions after treatment with somatrogon are injection site reactions (ISRs) (25.1%), headache (10.7% ) and pyrexia (10.2%).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Safety data are derived from the phase 2, multi-centre safety and dose-finding study, and the pivotal phase 3, multi-centre non-inferiority study in paediatric patients with GHD (see section 5.1). The data reflect exposure of 265 patients to somatrogon administered once weekly (0.66 mg/kg/week).
Table 1 presents the adverse reactions for somatrogon within the system organ class (SOC). The adverse reactions listed in the table below are presented by SOC and frequency categories, defined using the following convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000) or frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1. Adverse reactions
System organ class
Very common
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Very rare
Frequency not known
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Anaemia
Eosinophilia
Endocrine disorders
Hypothyroidism
Adrenal insufficiency
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Eye disorders
Conjunctivitis allergic
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash generalised
Lipoatrophy*
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Arthralgia
Pain in extremity
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site reactionsa
Pyrexia
* See section 4.2
a Injection site reactions include the following: injection site pain, erythema, pruritus, swelling, induration, bruising, haemorrhage, warmth, hypertrophy, inflammation, deformation, urticaria.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Injection site reaction
In the phase 3 clinical study, reporting of ISRs was actively solicited during the course of the study. In the majority of cases, local ISRs tended to be transient, occurred mainly in the first 6 months of treatment and were mild in severity; ISRs had a mean onset on the day of the injection and a mean duration of < 1 day. Among them, injection site pain, erythema, pruritus, swelling, induration, bruising, hypertrophy, inflammation and warmth were reported in 43.1% of patients treated with somatrogon compared to 25.2% of patients administered daily injections of somatropin.
In the long-term OLE of the clinical phase 3 study, local ISRs were similar in nature and severity, and reported early in subjects switching from somatropin to somatrogon treatment. ISRs were reported in 18.3% of patients originally treated with somatrogon in the main study and continuing treatment in the OLE portion of the study, and likewise, 37% were reported among patients originally treated with somatropin that were switched in the OLE portion of the study to treatment with somatrogon.
Immunogenicity
In the pivotal safety and efficacy study, among 109 subjects treated with somatrogon, 84 (77.1%) tested positive for anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). There were no clinical or safety effects observed with the formation of antibodies.
Other adverse drug reactions for somatropin may be considered class effects, such as:
• Neoplasms benign and malignant: (see section 4.4).
• Metabolism and nutrition disorders: diabetes mellitus type 2 (see section 4.4).
• Nervous system disorders: benign intracranial hypertension (see section 4.4), paraesthesia.
• Musculoskeletal, connective tissue, and bone disorders: myalgia.
• Reproductive system and breast disorders: gynaecomastia.
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: skin rash, urticaria and pruritus.
• General disorders and administration site conditions: peripheral oedema, facial oedema.
• Gastrointestinal disorders: pancreatitis (see section 4.4).
Metacresol
This medicinal product contains metacresol which may contribute to painful injections (see section 4.4).
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Single doses of somatrogon higher than 0.66 mg/kg/week have not been studied.
Based on experience with daily growth hormone medicinal products, short-term overdose could lead initially to hypoglycaemia and subsequently to hyperglycaemia. Long-term overdose could result in signs and symptoms of gigantism and/or acromegaly consistent with the effects of growth hormone excess.
Treatment of overdose with somatrogon should consist of general supportive measures.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Ngenla 24 mg solution for injection in pre filled pen. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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