Common questions and answers
Growth hormone is a natural hormone produced by the pituitary gland
A small gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones, including growth hormone. It is a protein
A large molecule consisting of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's cells, tissues, and organs made of amino acids
The building blocks of proteins
. Over time, growth hormone helps the body, bones, and tissues
A collection of similar cells. There are four basic tissues in the body: 1) epithelium; 2) connective tissues, including blood, bone, and cartilage; 3) muscle tissue; and 4) nerve tissue grow.
GHD can be a natural condition passed down through genetics. However, there is no data available to suggest that if one child has GHD, the others will as well.
TEV-TROPIN® is a type of growth hormone that is made in a lab. It works just like the growth hormone the body makes.
TEV-TROPIN® and other growth hormones only work if they are injected. If taken orally, TEV-TROPIN® would be broken down in the stomach and digested, and would not work.
Growing doesn’t happen overnight; you may have to wait a few months or longer before you see results. Be patient and you should see results you can measure.
Your child’s doctor will tell you how often your child should receive injections.
Your child’s doctor or nurse will teach you how to inject TEV-TROPIN®. Also, your patient starter kit will give you helpful tools, such as the Patient Video and Injection Instructions Brochure, to remind you of your training.
If you miss an injection, do not double up the next day. Missing an injection is not dangerous and your child will not get sick, but TEV-TROPIN® works best when taken as prescribed. Keep track of missed doses and tell your child’s doctor at your next appointment.
Try to inject the amount your child’s doctor has recommended. If you inject too much, tell your doctor.
All growth hormones are similar, and none have been proven more effective than another. With TEV-TROPIN®, you'll see results you can measure.
Keep TEV-TROPIN® in a small cooler that you can carry in a car or on board an airplane. Do not check the cooler as baggage—keep it with you at all times. Your child's doctor can provide you with information needed to get the injection needles through airport security.
The dose of TEV-TROPIN® is based on your child's weight. Therefore, the dose will be increased as your child grows.
It may be helpful to train another caregiver, such as a responsible relative or neighbor whom your child trusts, to give injections in your absence. If this option is not possible, your child’s doctor can help you contact a home healthcare service that can give the injections for you. We do not recommend drawing up several doses at once and storing them in the syringes as we are unable to certify the integrity of the medication when stored in this manner.
Growth hormone replacement therapy should not prevent your child from doing things away from home. As long as there is a trained person to help with the injections, you can take TEV-TROPIN® just about anywhere. You should always transport TEV-TROPIN® in a travel container that can carry all your supplies and keep the medication cold.
Gate Pharmaceuticals, a division of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, offers a program called Growth Solutions® that was created especially for these insurance situations. This program monitors your insurance and coverage status and helps to ensure that your child’s TEV-TROPIN® therapy does not get interrupted. Call Growth Solutions® at 866-TEV-TROP (866-838-8767).
