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Side Effects of Jintropin

Jintropin is an injectable form of recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) manufactured by GeneScience Pharmaceuticals (GenSci) in China. Human growth hormone is prescribed in hormone replacement therapy. Jintropin is approved for use in China, Southeast Asia, South America, Latin America, the Middle East and certain European countries.

  1. Significance

    • Jintropin (rHGH) was developed by Dr. Jin Lei, founder and CEO of GenSci and former researcher at Genentech. GenSci reports that since 2002, Jintropin has commanded 67 percent of the growth hormone market in China. Controversies have arisen in recent years regarding the product's off-label use in non-approved countries.

    Growth Hormone Effects

    • Growth hormone (GH) is a somatotropin, which is produced by the pituitary gland. GH stimulates growth and cell development, and its effects increase bone density, muscle mass and metabolism.

    Uses for rHGH

    • rHGH is prescribed to treat growth deficiency syndromes, certain metabolic disorders and AIDS wasting. All forms of HGH have been used outside of approved labeling for anti-aging, fitness enhancement and weight loss. Since the body manufactures growth hormone, rHGH use is undetectable.

    Side Effects

    • As hormone replacement for growth deficiency diseases, side effects are rare, as the HGH is supporting the body's natural growth. Side effects from use as a supplement (in otherwise healthy adults) include joint pain and swelling, headache, nausea, hypertension, changes in vision, liver and kidney problems, and hypoglycemia, as well as increased bone density and muscle mass, body fat reduction, and stabilized or enhanced energy.

    Considerations

    • Jintropin and all rHGH products are prescribed by doctors, though benefits from off-label use are promoted by distributors. rHGH is a large molecule hormone and must be injected. When delivered in other forms, such as sprays, the large molecule is ingested, thereby becoming ineffective.

    Jintropin in the United States

    • Jintropin is not approved for importation into the United States. A September 28, 2007, "New York Times" article reported that the Dr. Jin Lei and GenSci were indicted for illegal drug smuggling, trafficking and money laundering related to Jintropin (see Resources).

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