You should not use Genotropin if you have cancer, diabetic retinopathy, or if you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems. You should not use this medicine if you have a serious illness due to lung failure or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma.

You should not use Genotropin if you are allergic to Genotropin or benzyl alcohol, or if you have:

• a serious illness due to lung failure, or complications from recent surgery, injury, or medical trauma;

• active cancer;

• eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy); or

• you are being treated for Prader-Willi syndrome and you are overweight or have severe breathing problems (including sleep apnea).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• cancer (especially during childhood);

• diabetes;

• a pituitary gland disorder;

• abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis);

• underactive thyroid;

• a head injury or brain tumor; or

• childhood brain cancer and radiation treatment.

In some cases, Genotropin should not be used in a child. Certain brands of somatropin contain an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Some brands of somatropin are not expected to harm an unborn baby, including Genotropin, Omnitrope, Saizen, and Serostim.

It is not known whether certain other brands of somatropin will harm an unborn baby, including Humatrope, Norditropin, Nutropin, Zomacton, and Zorbtive.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious breathing problems may occur in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who use Genotropin. If you have Prader-Willi syndrome, call your doctor promptly if you develop signs of lung or breathing problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or new or increased snoring.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain in your knees or hips, walking with a limp;

• ear pain, swelling, warmth, or drainage;

• numbness or tingling in your wrist, hand, or fingers;

• severe swelling or puffiness in your hands and feet;

• pain or swelling in your joints;

• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;

• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or

• signs of an adrenal gland problem--extreme weakness, severe dizziness, weight loss, changes in skin color, feeling very weak or tired.

Common side effects may include:

• pain, itching, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• muscle or joint pain;

• numbness or tingling;

• stomach pain, gas;

• headache, back pain; or

• cold or flu symptoms, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, ear pain.