Library / HGH 191AA
Approved medicine
HGH 191AA
Growth hormone (identical to the body's own) · Growth hormone · Somatropin; Genotropin, Norditropin and others
What it is
Lab-made human growth hormone, with the same 191 amino acids as the hormone your pituitary gland makes.
What research covers
An established prescription medicine for growth hormone deficiency in children and adults, and some other conditions such as Turner syndrome. Studies in healthy adults show it can increase lean mass, but without clear gains in strength or performance, and with more side effects.
Reported side effects
- Joint and muscle pain
- Swelling from fluid retention
- Tingling or numbness in the hands (carpal tunnel)
- Higher blood sugar
- Headache
Not suitable for, or talk to a doctor first
- Active cancer
- Acute critical illness
- Diabetic eye disease
- Pregnancy, without specialist care
Good to know
- Doses are usually measured in IU or mg, which are different from syringe units. Products sold outside pharmacies are often counterfeit or mislabelled.
Legal status
| Australia | Prescription-only medicine in Australia (Genotropin, Norditropin). |
|---|---|
| United States | FDA-approved, prescription only. |
| Sport | Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at all times. |
Rules change. Check with the TGA (Australia), your local regulator, or WADA for sport.
Key references
- Molitch et al. Evaluation and treatment of adult growth hormone deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2011.
- Liu et al. Systematic review: the safety and efficacy of growth hormone in the healthy elderly. Ann Intern Med, 2007.
General information, not advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping anything.