Somatropin (recombinant human growth hormone): What It Is, Uses, Evidence & Safety

At a glance

Purpose, evidence and practical considerations.

How it works & important distinctions

Regulatory status: prescription medication (peptide hormone / recombinant biologic). Not a dietary supplement

The evidence on this page does not automatically apply to:

Tesamorelin (Egrifta) — a GHRH analog approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, not for GHD or “anti-aging.”
Sermorelin, CJC-1295, GHRP-2/6, ipamorelin, ibutamoren (MK-677) — GH-releasing peptides / secretagogues. Different molecules, different (and mostly unapproved) regulatory status
Somapacitan (Sogroya; FDA 28 August 2020), somatrogon (Ngenla), lonapegsomatropin (Skytrofa) — long-acting GH *analogs*. Weekly or weekly-equivalent products. Not daily somatropin and not interchangeable milligram-for-milligram
Oral sprays, “HGH pills,” homeopathic GH, and amino-acid “secretagogue stacks” are not somatropin