Dangerous Side Effects of Saizen

Saizen is the brand name for a prescription, injectable synthetic version of the human growth hormone somatropin. Despite its effectiveness at treating stunted growth in children and adults with pituitary gland deficiencies, Saizen poses a risk for side effects.

Significance

• The most common dangerous side effect associated with Saizen is the onset of Type 2 diabetes, which occurs in approximately 10 percent of adult users, according to FDA clinical trials published on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Types of Symptoms

• While taking Saizen, remain alert for symptoms of hyperglycemia or diabetes, such as fatigue, excessive thirst and urination, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, very dry skin, sores or wounds that do not heal, tingling in your feet, blurry vision and irritability.

Drug Interactions

• Saizen has the potential to cause an increase in side effects from medications like corticosteroids, anticonvulsants and the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Risks

• In children, Saizen poses a slight risk for hypothyroidism and the onset of leukemia or cancer of the blood.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe Saizen for use in pregnant women unless there is no safe alternative to treatment. Saizen may not be safe patients with a history of brain tumors, cancer, closed epiphyses, diabetic retinopathy, Prader-Willi syndrome, fluid retention, hypothyroidism, ear infections, scoliosis, diabetes, Turner Syndrome or kidney or liver disease, warns the Mayo Clinic.com