Somavert

Generic name: Pegvisomant
Drug class: Growth hormone receptor blockers

Usage of Somavert

Somavert is a man-made protein that is similar to human growth hormone. Pegvisomant binds to the same receptor in the body as growth hormone, and blocks the effects of growth hormone.

Somavert is used to treat acromegaly (a growth disorder caused by too much growth hormone).

Somavert is usually given after other medications, surgery, or radiation have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Somavert side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Somavert: hives; wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Somavert and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • thickening of the skin or a hard lump where you injected the medicine;
  • easy bruising; or
  • liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

    • Common Somavert side effects may include:

  • pain;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • nausea, diarrhea;
  • abnormal liver function tests; or
  • pain or irritation where the medicine was injected.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Somavert

    You should not use Somavert if you are allergic to pegvisomant.

    To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • diabetes (pegvisomant can lower your blood sugar);
  • liver disease;
  • a latex allergy; or
  • a tumor that secretes growth hormone.

    • Somavert is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    It is not known whether pegvisomant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

    Somavert is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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    How to use Somavert

    Usual Adult Dose for Acromegaly:

    Initial dose: 40 mg by suBCutaneous injection. Maintenance dose: 10 to 30 mg by subcutaneous injection daily.

    Warnings

    You should not use Somavert if you are allergic to pegvisomant.

    Before using Somavert, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, liver disease, a latex allergy, or a tumor that secretes growth hormone.

    To be sure Somavert is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, you may need blood tests and CT scans or other radiologic (x-ray) examinations during treatment. Visit your doctor regularly.

    Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially insulin or oral diabetes medication, or any narcotic medication.

    Stop using Somavert and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, swelling, rapid weight gain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

    What other drugs will affect Somavert

    Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • insulin or oral diabetes medication; or
  • narcotic medicine such as fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic, Lazanda, Onsolis), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), and many others.

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with pegvisomant, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

    Disclaimer

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