SCITROPIN A™

MIMS Revision Date: 01 July 2026

1 Name of Medicine

Somatropin (rbe) (recombinant human growth hormone, r-hGH).

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection contains 3.33 mg/mL somatropin (rbe).
SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection contains 6.67 mg/mL somatropin (rbe).
SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection contains 10 mg/mL somatropin (rbe).
List of excipients with known effect: mannitol (SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection preparations).
SciTropin A is produced using recombinant DNA technology. The active substance somatropin (biosynthetic human growth hormone, rDNA-derived human growth hormone [r-hGH]) is produced in cell culture by Escherichia coli cells bearing the gene for human growth hormone.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

SciTropin A Solution for Injection is a clear, colourless solution.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

SciTropin A is intended for the long-term treatment of children (above three years of age) with:
growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of pituitary growth hormone;
growth disturbance associated with gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome);
growth disturbance associated with chronic renal insufficiency.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Dosage. Therapy with somatropin should be initiated and monitored by physicians who are experienced in the diagnosis and management of patients with growth hormone deficiency.
The dose is based on bodyweight and must always be adjusted individually in accordance with the response to therapy.
Daily administration by subcutaneous injection in the evening is recommended. The injection sites have to be rotated to minimise the risk of local lipoatrophy.
Patients and caregivers have to receive appropriate training and instruction on the proper use of the SciTropin A vials and the pen, from their physician or other suitably qualified health professionals.
Growth disturbance due to insufficient secretion of growth hormone in children. Generally, a dose of 0.025 to 0.035 mg/kg bodyweight per day or 0.7 to 1.0 mg/m² body surface area per day is recommended. If the response to therapy is not satisfactory in the following years, the dose can be increased, as higher doses have been used.
Growth disturbance in girls due to Turner syndrome. A dose of 0.045 to 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight per day or 1.4 mg/m² body surface area per day is recommended. If the response to therapy is not satisfactory in the following years, the dose can be increased.
Growth disturbance in chronic renal insufficiency. A dose of 0.045 to 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight per day or 1.4 mg/m² body surface area per day is recommended. A dosage adjustment may be necessary after 6 months. If the response to therapy is not satisfactory, the dose can be increased.
Duration of treatment. There is no specific time limit for the duration of treatment with somatropin. Treatment is to be discontinued when the patient has reached a satisfactory final height, when the epiphyses are closed or when the patient no longer responds to growth hormone therapy. Response to somatropin therapy in paediatric patients tends to decrease with time. However, failure to increase growth velocity, particularly during the first year of treatment, suggests the need for close assessment of compliance and other causes of growth failure such as hypothyroidism, undernutrition and advanced bone age.
Method of administration. Reconstitution and stability of solution. As with all parenteral drug products, the solution should be clear after storage. If the solution is cloudy, the contents must not be injected.
SciTropin A is a ready to use solution which is filled in glass cartridges. This presentation is intended for multiple use with a pen device.
SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL is a ready to use solution which is filled in glass cartridges. This presentation is intended for multiple use with a pen device. The SciTropin A Pen 5 needs to be used to administer SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL. After the first injection, the contents of the cartridge must be used within 28 days and the cartridge should remain in the pen and has to be kept at 2°C to 8°C (in a refrigerator). For microbiological reasons, any remaining solution should be discarded after 28 days.
The pen is intended for use by a single patient only.
SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL is a ready to use solution which is filled in glass cartridges. This presentation is intended for multiple use with a pen device. The SciTropin A Pen 10 needs to be used to administer SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL. After the first injection, the contents of the cartridge must be used within 28 days and the cartridge should remain in the pen and has to be kept at 2°C to 8°C (in a refrigerator). For microbiological reasons, any remaining solution should be discarded after 28 days.
The pen is intended for use by a single patient only.
SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL is a ready-to-use solution, which is filled in glass cartridges. This presentation is intended for multiple use with a pen device. After the first injection, the contents of the cartridge must be used within 28 days and the cartridge should remain in the pen and has to be kept at 2°C to 8°C (in a refrigerator). For microbiological reasons, any remaining solution should be discarded after 28 days.
The pen is intended for use by a single patient only.

4.3 Contraindications

Treatment with SciTropin A is contraindicated:
In patients with evidence of malignancies. Intracranial lesions have to be inactive and anti-tumour therapy has to be completed prior to treatment. Treatment with SciTropin A should be discontinued if there is any evidence of recurrent tumour activity.
For growth promotion in paediatric patients with closed epiphyses.
In patients with known hypersensitivity to somatropin or to any of the excipients.
In patients with acute critical illness due to complications following open heart surgery or abdominal surgery, multiple accident trauma, excessive burns or to patients having acute respiratory failure (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
In patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have severe respiratory impairment (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
In new-borns, SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection should not be used because of the presence of the preservative, benzyl alcohol (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Therapy with SciTropin A should be initiated and monitored by physicians who are appropriately qualified and experienced in the diagnosis and management of patients with growth hormone deficiency. The maximum recommended daily dose should not be exceeded. (See Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration.)
There have been reports of fatalities associated with the use of growth hormone in paediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome who had one or more of the following risk factors: severe obesity, history of respiratory impairment or sleep apnoea, or unidentified respiratory infection. Another possible risk factor may be male gender (SciTropin A is not indicated for use in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome).
Metabolism. Somatropin may induce a state of insulin resistance and in some patients hyperglycaemia. Therefore patients should be observed for evidence of glucose intolerance during SciTropin A treatment. In rare cases the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus type II may be fulfilled as a result of the somatropin therapy, but risk factors such as obesity, family history, steroid treatment or pre-existing impaired glucose tolerance have been present in most cases where this occurred. SciTropin A should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus or a family history of diabetes mellitus. In patients with already manifested diabetes mellitus, the anti-diabetic therapy might require adjustment when somatropin is instituted.
Endocrine system. Hypothyroidism may develop during therapy with somatropin, and inadequate treatment of hypothyroidism may prevent optimal response to treatment with SciTropin A. Therefore, thyroid hormone levels must be checked periodically during SciTropin A therapy and patients should be treated with thyroid hormone, when indicated.
During treatment with somatropin, an enhanced T₄ to T₃ conversion has been found, which may result in a reduction in serum T₄ concentrations and an increase in serum T₃ concentrations. In general, the peripheral thyroid hormone levels have remained within the reference ranges for healthy subjects. The effects of somatropin on thyroid hormone levels may be of clinical relevance in patients with central subclinical hypothyroidism in whom hypothyroidism theoretically may develop. Conversely, in patients receiving replacement therapy with thyroxin, mild hyperthyroidism may occur. It is therefore advisable to test thyroid function after starting treatment with somatropin and after dose adjustment.
Large doses of glucocorticoids may inhibit the growth promoting effect of growth hormone. Patients with co-existing corticotropin deficiencies should have their glucocorticoid replacement doses carefully adjusted.
Somatropin has been reported to reduce serum cortisol levels. Changes to serum levels of unbound serum cortisol have not been reported. The clinical relevance of these findings seems limited. Nevertheless, corticosteroid replacement therapy should be optimised before initiation of SciTropin A therapy.
To achieve a satisfactory stimulation of growth, some girls with Turner syndrome may require a higher dose during the first year of treatment.
Patients with pan hypopituitarism are at risk of adrenal insufficiency after treatment with growth hormone is commenced, particularly if this has not previously been recognised or the patients are on inadequate replacement. Standard replacement therapy should be closely monitored in patients with (pan) hypopituitarism.
Patients with chronic renal disease may develop hyperparathyroidism which should be treated appropriately before initiation of somatropin therapy.
Introduction of somatropin treatment may result in inhibition of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD-1) and reduced serum cortisol concentrations. In patients treated with somatropin, previously undiagnosed central (secondary) hypoadrenalism may be unmasked and glucocorticoid replacement may be required. In addition, patients treated with glucocorticoid replacement therapy for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses, following initiation of somatropin treatment (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
Use with oral oestrogen therapy. If a woman taking somatropin begins oral oestrogen therapy, the dose of somatropin may need to be increased to maintain the serum IGF-1 levels within the normal age-appropriate range. Conversely, if a woman on somatropin discontinues oral oestrogen therapy, the dose of somatropin may need to be reduced to avoid excess of growth hormone and/or side effects (see Section 4.5 Interaction with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
Benign intracranial hypertension. In cases of severe or recurrent headache, visual problems, nausea and/or vomiting, a fundoscopy for papilloedema is recommended as some rare cases of benign intracranial hypertension have been reported during somatropin treatment. If papilloedema is confirmed, a diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension has to be considered, and if appropriate, SciTropin A treatment should be interrupted. At present, insufficient experience exists on how to restart treatment in patients after normalisation of intracranial pressure. If restarting treatment is considered appropriate, the patient has to be carefully monitored for the absence of symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.
Scoliosis. Progression of scoliosis can occur in patients who experience rapid growth. Physicians should be alert to this abnormality which may become apparent during growth hormone therapy due to the rapid increase in growth rate. Signs of scoliosis should be monitored during treatment.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patients with endocrine disorders, including growth hormone deficiency, hypopituitarism and renal osteodystrophy, may have an increased incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE), and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Any child who develops a limp or complains of hip or knee pain during SciTropin A treatment should be evaluated as this may indicate development of slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Description of selected adverse reactions).
Chronic renal insufficiency. In chronic renal insufficiency, the renal function should have decreased below 50% of normal before initiation of therapy. Growth should have been followed for a year preceding initiation of therapy with SciTropin A in order to verify the growth disturbance. Conservative treatment for the renal insufficiency should have been established and should be maintained during treatment. Treatment should be discontinued after renal transplantation.
Growth hormone treatment may represent an increased risk for acute rejection in patients with renal allograft and a history of two or more rejection episodes.
Neoplasms. Patients with growth hormone deficiency secondary to an intracranial lesion have to be examined frequently 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.
Newly diagnosed and recurrent cases of leukaemia have been reported in growth hormone deficient children treated with somatropin. The children had other risk factors for leukaemia. A causal association with somatropin has not been identified.
Antibodies. A small percentage of patients may develop antibodies to somatropin. The binding capacity of these antibodies is low and there is no effect on growth rate. Testing for antibodies to somatropin should be carried out in any patient with otherwise unexplained lack of response.
Pancreatitis. Although rare, pancreatitis should be considered in somatropin-treated patients who develop abdominal pain, especially in children.
Critically ill patients. Two placebo controlled clinical trials of patients in intensive care units have demonstrated an increased mortality among patients suffering from acute critical illness due to complications following open heart surgery, abdominal surgery, multiple accidental trauma or acute respiratory failure who were treated with somatropin in high doses (5.3 mg to 8 mg/day). These types of patients should not be treated with somatropin (see Section 4.3 Contraindications). Because there is no information available on the safety of growth hormone therapy in acutely critically ill patients, the benefits of continued treatment in this situation should be weighed against the potential risks involved. In all patients developing other or similar acute critical illness, the possible benefits of treatment with somatropin must be weighed against the potential risk involved.
Use in the elderly. No data available.
Paediatric use. See Section 4.3 Contraindications.
Effects on laboratory tests. No data available.
Benzyl alcohol. SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection contains benzyl alcohol:
This medicine contains 9 mg benzyl alcohol in each mL.
Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions.
Intravenous administration of benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in neonates ("gasping syndrome"). The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known.
Advise the parents or legal guardian to not use more than a week in young children (less than 3 years old) without a physician or pharmacist permission.
Advise pregnant or breast-feeding patients that large amounts of benzyl alcohol can be build up in their body and may cause sides effects (called "metabolic acidosis").
Advise patients who have a liver or kidney disease that large amounts of benzyl alcohol can be build up in their body and may cause sides effects (called "metabolic acidosis").

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Concomitant glucocorticoid therapy may inhibit growth and thereby oppose the growth promoting effect of SciTropin A. If glucocorticoid replacement therapy is required, the glucocorticoid dose and compliance have to be monitored carefully to avoid either adrenal insufficiency or inhibition of the growth promoting effects of SciTropin A.
Growth hormone decreases the conversion of cortisone to cortisol and may unmask previously undiscovered central hypoadrenalism or render low glucocorticoid replacement dose ineffective (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
In women on oral oestrogen replacement, a higher dose of growth hormone may be required to achieve the treatment goal (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Data from an interaction study conducted in growth hormone deficient adults, suggest that somatropin administration may increase the clearance of compounds known to be metabolised by cytochrome P450 3A4 (e.g. sex steroids, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants and ciclosporin). The clinical significance of this is unknown.
See Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use regarding diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder and corticotropin deficiencies.
Insulin dosage may need to be adjusted when SciTropin A is administered to patients with diabetes mellitus (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility. No specific study has been conducted in animals to examine the effect of SciTropin A on fertility. However, somatropin is known to have adverse effects on reproduction. Inhibition of reproduction was reported in male and female rats at somatropin doses of 1 mg/kg/day or more, with reduced copulation and conception rates, lengthened or absent oestrus cycles and, at 3.3 mg/kg/day, a lack of responsiveness of females to males and slight reductions in sperm motility and survival. Rat reproduction was unaffected by 0.3 mg/kg/day somatropin, which resulted in a systemic exposure (based on body surface area) of approximately 2 times that anticipated in adult patients at the maximal clinical dose of 0.01 mg/kg/day.
Use in pregnancy. (Category B2)
No specific study has been conducted in animals to examine the reproductive toxicity of SciTropin A. However somatropin was not teratogenic and did not affect foetal growth at subcutaneous maternal doses up to 3.3 mg/kg/day in rats or 1.3 mg/kg/day in rabbits, which resulted in systemic exposures based on body surface area of approximately 40 times the anticipated maximum clinical exposure.
There is no experience with somatropin during pregnancy, nor has the need for such use been established. Somatropin is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. Treatment with SciTropin A should be interrupted if pregnancy occurs.
Use in lactation. It is not known whether somatropin is excreted in breast milk, but the possibility cannot be excluded. However, absorption of intact protein from the gastrointestinal tract of the infant is extremely unlikely. As a general precaution, treatment with SciTropin A should be interrupted during breastfeeding.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effects of this medicine on a person's ability to drive and use machines were not assessed as part of its registration.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Patients with growth hormone deficiency are characterised by extracellular volume deficit. When treatment with somatropin is started this deficit is rapidly corrected. Adverse reactions related to fluid retention, such as peripheral oedema and arthralgia are very common; musculoskeletal stiffness, myalgia and paraesthesia are common.
The adverse effects for children are presented under headings of system organ class and frequency 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), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). See Table 1.

Description of selected adverse reactions. Formation of antibodies. As with all protein pharmaceuticals, a small percentage of patients may develop anti-hGH antibodies, without growth-inhibiting effects.
Reduced serum cortisol levels. Somatropin has been reported to reduce serum cortisol levels, possibly by affecting carrier proteins or by increasing hepatic clearance. The clinical relevance of these findings may be limited. Nevertheless, corticosteroid replacement therapy should be optimised before initiation of therapy (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Leukaemia. Some cases of leukaemia have been reported in growth hormone deficient children treated with somatropin, but the incidence appears to be similar to that in children without growth hormone deficiency (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Prader-Willi syndrome. In the post-marketing experience, rare cases of sudden death have been reported in patients affected by Prader-Willi syndrome treated with somatropin, although no causal relationship has been demonstrated. SciTropin A is not indicated for use in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease have been reported in children treated with growth hormone (GH). Slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs more frequently in case of endocrine disorders and Legg-Calve-Perthes is more frequent in case of short stature. But it is unknown if these 2 pathologies are more frequent or not while treated with somatropin. Their diagnosis should be considered in a child with a discomfort or pain in the hip or knee.
Other adverse drug reactions. Other adverse drug reactions may be considered somatropin class effects, such as possible hyperglycaemia caused by decreased insulin sensitivity, decreased free thyroxin level and benign intra-cranial hypertension.
Reporting suspected adverse effects. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration 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 at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

An acute overdose may lead initially to hypoglycaemia and subsequently to hyperglycaemia.
Long term overdosing could result in signs and symptoms similar to gigantism or acromegaly, consistent with the known effects of excess exposure to growth hormone.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. There is no antidote for somatropin overdose. It is recommended to monitor thyroid function following an overdose.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action. Human growth hormone (somatropin) is a 191 amino acid polypeptide hormone (molecular weight 22 kilodaltons) normally synthesised and secreted by the somatotrophic cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The secretion of growth hormone is controlled by two hypothalamic hormones: growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) and growth hormone inhibiting hormone (somatostatin), and is tightly regulated by an integrated system of neural, metabolic and hormonal factors. Growth hormone is present throughout life and its secretion is both age and sex dependent.
Growth hormone binds to specific receptors that have recently been described and identified on hepatocytes, fibroblasts and lymphoid cells. Its known physiological roles are probably due to both direct actions of growth hormone and indirect actions that are mediated by the somatomedins (also called insulin-like growth factors, IGFs).
The somatomedins are themselves peptide hormones whose secretion is stimulated predominantly by the action of growth hormone and include IGF-1 (somatomedin C) and IGF-2. The major site of somatomedin production is the liver but they may also be synthesised at peripheral sites.
Growth hormone has effects not only on growth but also on body composition and metabolism. The following actions have been demonstrated for somatropin.
Skeletal growth. Somatropin and its mediator IGF-1 stimulate skeletal growth in children with inadequate endogenous secretion of growth hormone. The measurable increase in body length after administration of somatropin results from an effect on the epiphysial plates of long bones. Concentrations of IGF-1 tend to increase during treatment with somatropin.
Cell growth. It has been shown that there are fewer skeletal muscle cells in short statured children who lack endogenous growth hormone when compared to normal children and that treatment with somatropin results in an increase in both the number and size of muscle cells.
Protein metabolism. Linear growth is facilitated in part by increased cellular protein synthesis. This synthesis and growth are reflected by nitrogen retention which can be quantitated by observing the decline in urinary nitrogen excretion following the initiation of somatropin therapy.
Carbohydrate metabolism. Growth hormone is a well known modulator of carbohydrate metabolism. Children with hypopituitarism sometimes experience hypoglycaemia that is improved by somatropin. Large doses of somatropin may impair glucose tolerance.
Lipid metabolism. Somatropin administration has resulted in lipid mobilisation, reduction in body fat stores, and increased plasma free fatty acids in patients with growth hormone deficiency.
Mineral metabolism. Retention of sodium, potassium and phosphorus is induced by somatropin. Serum concentrations of inorganic phosphate are increased in patients with growth hormone deficiency after therapy with somatropin due to metabolic activity associated with bone growth and increased tubular reabsorption in the kidney. Serum calcium is not significantly altered by somatropin.
Connective tissue metabolism. Somatropin stimulates the synthesis of chondroitin sulphate and collagen as well as the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline.
Clinical trials. The efficacy and safety of Somatropin were compared with Genotropin in a randomised controlled open study involving a total of 89 prepubertal children (49 boys, 40 girls) with growth hormone deficiency. Inclusion criteria were height of < -2 standard deviation score (SDS) for chronological age, spontaneous growth velocity < -1 SDS assessed over an interval of at least 6 months before enrolment, and documented results of two standard pharmacological provocation tests with growth hormone peak < 10 microgram/L.
Forty-four children with a mean age of 7.8 years (3.0-13.0 years) received Somatropin Powder for Injection and 45 children with a mean age of 7.6 years (2.0-14.0 years) received Genotropin Powder for Injection. Both Somatropin and Genotropin were administered subcutaneously at a daily dose of 0.03 mg/kg for 9 months.
The following results of the primary efficacy endpoints, obtained in the intention to treat population, demonstrated a comparable efficacy profile between Somatropin and Genotropin.
Mean body height at the start of treatment was 113.3 cm ± 13.33 and 109.3 cm ± 15.68 in the Somatropin and Genotropin groups respectively. After 9 months of treatment, mean body height was 121.9 cm ± 13.06 and 117.7 cm ± 14.71, showing an increase of 8.6 cm and 8.4 cm, respectively.
Mean height velocity (HV) at the start of treatment was 3.8 cm/year ± 1.23 and 4.0 cm/year ± 0.83 in the Somatropin and Genotropin groups, respectively. After 9 months of treatment, mean HV was 10.7 cm/year ± 2.57 and 10.7 cm/year ± 2.90, showing an increase of 6.9 cm/year and 6.7 cm/year, respectively.
The mean height standard deviation score (HSDS) at the start of treatment was -3.0 ± 0.72 SDS and -3.1 ± 0.89 SDS in the Somatropin and Genotropin groups. After 9 months of treatment, mean HSDS had increased to -2.3 ± 0.68 SDS and -2.5 ± 0.73 SDS, respectively.
The mean height velocity standard deviation score (HVSDS) at the start of treatment was -2.4 ± 1.30 in the Somatropin and -2.3 ± 1.12 in the Genotropin group. Over the 9 months of treatment, patients grew at an average rate of 6.1 ± 3.67 and 5.4 ± 3.16, respectively, above the mean growth rate for the normal population.
Mean levels of the two pharmacodynamic markers IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were also comparable between the two treatment groups.
The study was extended to compare the efficacy and safety of Somatropin Powder for Injection with SciTropin A Solution for Injection. Children were eligible for the study if they had completed 9 months of treatment in the previous study. Forty-two children who had received Somatropin Powder for Injection continued with the same treatment, whereas 44 children who had previously received Genotropin Powder for Injection were switched to SciTropin A Solution for Injection. Both treatments were administered subcutaneously at a daily dose of 0.03 mg/kg for 6 months.
After a total of 15 months of treatment, i.e. 15 months with Somatropin Powder for Injection or 9 months with Genotropin Powder for Injection plus 6 months with SciTropin A Solution for Injection, body height had increased significantly by an average of 12.7 cm in both groups, to a mean body height of 126.1 cm ± 12.95 and 122.0 cm ± 14.68, respectively.
Average HV after 15 months of treatment was 8.5 cm/year ± 1.80 in the Somatropin Powder for Injection group and 8.6 cm/year ± 2.04 in the SciTropin A Solution for Injection group.
Mean HSDS after 15 months of treatment had increased to -2.0 ± 0.72 SDS in the Somatropin Powder for Injection group and to -2.2 ± 0.73 SDS in the SciTropin A Solution for Injection group.
The mean HVSDS after 15 months of treatment was 3.4 ± 2.55 SDS in the Somatropin Powder for Injection group and 3.2 ± 2.89 SDS in the SciTropin A Solution for Injection group.
To obtain long-term efficacy and safety data on SciTropin A Solution for Injection, the study was further extended. Children were eligible for the study if they had completed 15 months of treatment in the previous studies. Forty-two children who had previously received Somatropin Powder for Injection were switched to SciTropin A Solution for Injection, whereas 44 children who had received SciTropin A Solution for Injection continued with the same treatment. Both treatments were administered subcutaneously at a daily dose of 0.03 mg/kg for 15 months.
After a total of 30 months, i.e. 15 months with Somatropin Powder for Injection plus 15 months with SciTropin A Solution for Injection or 9 months with Genotropin Powder for Injection plus 21 months with SciTropin A Solution for Injection, 78 patients had completed treatment. Body height had increased by an average of 21.3 cm, to a mean body height of 132.6 cm ± 14.01. Average HV after 30 months of treatment was 7.4 cm/year ± 1.60. Mean HSDS had increased to -1.7 ± 0.87 SDS. The mean HVSDS after 30 months of treatment was 2.5 ± 3.25 SDS.
The results obtained in these studies are consistent with other somatropin preparations in the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption. Maximum somatropin concentrations are reached approximately 4 hours after administration. The elimination half-life is approximately 3 hours. Somatropin serum concentrations return to baseline within 24 hours.
Bioequivalence. Bioequivalence between Somatropin Powder for Injection and Genotropin Powder for Injection was demonstrated in a double blind, randomised, two way crossover study in 24 healthy volunteers (12 males, 12 females) receiving a single dose of 5 mg somatropin subcutaneously. The pharmacokinetic parameters are summarised in Table 2.

Area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) and maximum observed plasma concentration (C_max) were used to test for bioequivalence between Somatropin Powder for Injection and Genotropin Powder for Injection. The standard criterion for bioequivalence was met in that the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio between Somatropin Powder for Injection and Genotropin Powder for Injection was between 0.80 and 1.25. The AUC ratio for Somatropin Powder for Injection to Genotropin Powder for Injection was 1.00, 90% CI [0.96; 1.04] and the C_max ratio was 1.03, 90% CI [0.94; 1.12].
Bioequivalence between Somatropin Powder for Injection and SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection was demonstrated in a double blind, randomised, two way crossover study in 24 healthy volunteers (12 males, 12 females) receiving a single dose of 5 mg somatropin subcutaneously. The pharmacokinetic parameters are summarised in Table 3.
Area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) and maximum observed plasma concentration (C_max) were used to test for bioequivalence between Somatropin Powder for Injection and SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection. The standard criterion for bioequivalence was met in that the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio between Somatropin Powder for Injection and SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection was between 0.80 and 1.25. The AUC ratio for Somatropin Powder for Injection to SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection was 1.00, 90% CI [0.96; 1.03] and the C_max ratio was 1.01, 90% CI [0.97; 1.06].
In a double blind, randomised, 3 way crossover study in 36 healthy volunteers receiving a single dose of 5 mg somatropin subcutaneously, the bioequivalence between Somatropin Powder for Injection, SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection and Genotropin 5 mg Powder for Injection was demonstrated. The pharmacokinetic parameters are summarised in Table 4.
Area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) and maximum observed plasma concentration (C_max) were used to test for bioequivalence between Genotropin, Somatropin Powder for Injection and SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection. The standard criterion for bioequivalence was met in that the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio between these products was between 0.80 and 1.25. The ratios of the means of AUC_last and C_max between these products are presented in Table 5.
In a randomised, double-blind, 3 way crossover study in 33 subjects receiving a single dose of 5 mg somatropin subcutaneously the bioequivalence of SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL Solution for Injection, SciTropin A Powder for Injection and the reference product Genotropin (sourced in EU) was shown. The results of the study demonstrated that SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL sfi, SciTropin A Powder for Injection and Genotropin are bioequivalent, based on the primary pharmacokinetic variables AUC_last and C_max.
The pharmacokinetic parameters are summarised in Table 6.
The ratios of AUC_last and C_max were 106.4% and 102.9% for SciTropin A Powder for Injection compared to SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL sfi with associated 90% CIs of 103.0% to 110.0% and 96.3% to 110.1% respectively.
For the comparison of SciTropin A Powder for Injection to Genotropin 5 mg/mL, the ratios of AUC_last and C_max were 103.9% and 101.8%, respectively. The associated 90% CIs were 100.5% to 107.4% for AUC_last and 95.2% to 108.9% for C_max.
For the comparison of SciTropin A 10 mg/mL Solution for Injection to Genotropin 5 mg/mL, the ratios of AUC_last and C_max were 97.6% and 98.9%, respectively. The associated 90% CIs were 94.5% to 100.9% for AUC_last and 92.5% to 105.8% for C_max.
The upper and lower boundaries of the 90% confidence intervals were well within the bioequivalence limits of 80%-125% for all comparisons.
Distribution. No data available.
Metabolism. No data available.
Excretion. No data available.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity. No specific study has been conducted to examine the genotoxic potential of SciTropin A. However, there was no evidence for somatropin genotoxicity in assays for gene mutation in bacteria and mouse lymphoma cells or chromosomal damage in human lymphocytes and rat bone marrow cells.
Carcinogenicity. Somatropin raises the serum levels of IGF-1. Associations between elevated serum IGF-1 concentrations and risks of certain cancers have been reported in epidemiological studies. Causality has not been demonstrated. The clinical significance of these associations, especially for subjects treated with somatropin who do not have growth hormone deficiency and who are treated for prolonged periods, is not known. Serum IGF-1 levels can be affected by factors other than growth hormone status including nutrition.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

SciTropin A 5 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. Dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, poloxamer, mannitol, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, and water for injections. Contains benzyl alcohol as preservative.
SciTropin A 10 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. Monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, poloxamer, phenol, glycine, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and water for injections. Contains phenol as preservative.
SciTropin A 15 mg/1.5 mL solution for injection. Monobasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, poloxamer, phenol, sodium chloride, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and water for injections.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.
For information on interactions with other medicines and other forms of interactions, see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store at 2°C to 8°C (in a refrigerator). Do not freeze. Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Solution for injection. Colourless Type 1 glass cartridges.
5 mg/1.5 mL. Each pack contains 1, 2, 5* or 10* cartridges.
10 mg/1.5 mL. Each pack contains 1 or 2* cartridges.
15 mg/1.5 mL. Each pack contains 1 cartridge.
* Not marketed in Australia.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical structure. N/A.
CAS number. 12629-01-5.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4 - Prescription Only Medicine.

Date of First Approval

08 September 2010

Date of Revision

28 April 2026

Summary Table of Changes