Quick Answer: Growth hormone injections should generally be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C to maintain their effectiveness. Some brands allow short periods at room temperature, but prolonged exposure to heat can degrade the medication. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines for specific storage instructions.
Proper storage of growth hormone injections is essential to maintaining their effectiveness over time. Whether prescribed for growth disorders, hormone deficiencies, or other medical needs, ensuring that your HGH injection remains stable under the correct temperature and storage conditions is crucial.
Many people have questions regarding how to store growth hormone, whether it needs to be refrigerated, and what happens if it is left out at room temperature. Since improper storage can compromise its potency, it is vital to follow best storage practices to preserve its efficacy.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about growth hormone storage, general rules and specific recommendations for different brands available in Australia, including Omnitrope, Genotropin, Somatropin, Norditropin and Humatrope. Understanding these details will help ensure that your medication remains potent and safe for use throughout its intended duration for optimal treatment results.
Related article: Tips for Travelling with Growth Hormones!
Why Storage Temperature Matters for Growth Hormones
Growth hormone is a fragile biological substance that is susceptible to degradation when exposed to unsuitable conditions. The proteins within the hormone are highly sensitive, and temperature fluctuations can cause them to break down, rendering the medication ineffective. This not only results in wasted medication but also increases healthcare costs and, more importantly, prevents individuals from receiving the necessary treatment benefits.
Incorrect storage can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the hormone, leading to inadequate support for growth, muscle development, and metabolic regulation.
The challenge with spoiled HGH injections is that it often does not show visible signs of degradation, making strict adherence to storage guidelines even more important.
By following the correct storage temperature recommendations, users can ensure that their medication retains its potency and delivers the expected therapeutic effects.
General Guidelines for Storing Growth Hormone
Different formulations and brands of growth hormone may have varying storage instructions, but in general, growth hormone needs to be kept at specific temperatures to preserve its potency. Whether it comes in vials, cartridges, or pre-filled injection pens, there are some common key guidelines for storing growth hormone under optimal conditions.
Refrigeration Requirements
The majority of growth hormones must be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature range of 2°C to 8°C. Maintaining this temperature ensures that the proteins within the hormone remain stable and do not degrade prematurely. However, freezing growth hormone must be strictly avoided, as extreme cold can permanently damage its molecular structure, rendering it ineffective.
When storing growth hormone in the fridge, it is recommended to keep it in the main compartment, rather than in the fridge door. The refrigerator door experiences frequent temperature fluctuations due to repeated opening and closing, which can negatively impact the hormone's stability. Additionally, designating a dedicated space in the fridge for medication storage helps prevent contamination from food or exposure to excessive moisture.
Related article: Helpful Tips and Best Practices for Transporting Medication That Needs to be Refrigerated.
What Happens If Growth Hormone Is Not Refrigerated?
Although some brands of growth hormone can remain stable at room temperature for short periods, prolonged exposure to heat can cause degradation, reducing its potency.
If you accidentally leave your growth hormone out of the fridge, it is important to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to determine how long it can remain unrefrigerated without compromising its effectiveness. If you are unsure, it is always best to consult your pharmacist or your doctor before using the medication.
Room Temperature Stability
Certain formulations of growth hormone are designed to be stored at room temperature for limited durations. However, the length of time varies by brand.
Some can remain stable at room temperature for a few weeks, while others must be refrigerated immediately after opening. It is essential to check the packaging and manufacturer's instructions for HGH brand-specific storage guidelines. When in doubt, storing the medication in the fridge is the safest option to maintain its stability while you get advice from your pharmacist of doctor.
How to Store Different Growth Hormone Brands Available in Australia
There are multiple brands of growth hormone available in Australia, each with its own specific formulation and storage requirements.
The generic name for most of these products is somatropin, which is a recombinant form of human growth hormone (hGH).
While all growth hormones serve the same purpose, differences in formulation, concentration, and delivery methods influence how they should be stored and administered. Below, we provide an overview of the storage guidelines for the most commonly used brands of growth hormone.
Related article: 4AllFamily Syringe Travel Cases: The Best Way to Store Your Injections Safe and Cool While Travelling!
Omnitrope Storage Temperature
Omnitrope is a widely used recombinant growth hormone available in Australia in solution for injection in cartridge. The cartridges are available in multiple concentration depending on your doctor's prescription and must be used exclusively with the corresponding SurePal injection device.
Omnitrope cartridges should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C. Omnitrope should never stay unrefrigerated. Once you start using a new cartridge, it must be kept in the pen injector and must be kept refrigerated again. Opened cartridges must be used within 28 days.
The manufacturer also advices that Omnitrope should be kept in the original package box to protect it from light and should never be frozen. Additionally, if you notice that the solution is cloudy, do not use it.
Related article: What's the Ideal Fridge Temperature Range for Refrigerated Medication?
Genotropin Storage Temperature
Genotropin is another common brand of growth hormone in Australia. It is available in two different injection devices:
- The Genotropin GoQuick Pen that is refilled with multi-dose cartridges. Before reconstitution, the cartridges must be kept refrigerated between 2° C - 8°. Alternatively, if refrigeration isn't available, they may be stored at room temperature (below 25°C) but must be used within 30 days max. However, once in use and reconstituted, Genotropin GoQuick cartridges must be refrigerated and used within 28 days. They should not be kept at room temperature after reconstitution.
- The Genotropin Mini Quick disposable single use prefilled syringe. Ideal for people on the move, this prefilled Genotropin syringe does not need to be refrigerated before reconstitution and can be stored for up to 6 months at room temperature below 25°C. Once reconstituted, it must be refrigerated and used within 24 hours.
Norditropin Storage Temperature
According to the manufacturer, Norditropin FlexPro prefilled injector pens should be refrigerated before use. Once you've start using a pen, you can either store it back in the fridge for up to 4 weeks or at room temperature below 25°C for up to 3 weeks.
Humatrope Storage Temperature
Humatrope is supplied in vials and cartridges for injection pens and must be reconstituted before use. It is very sensitive to storage temperature and must be kept refrigerated at all times, before and after reconstitution.
- New cartridges must be stored refrigerated at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C before being prepared or attached to a HumatroPen. They are good until the labeled expiration date. They should not be frozen.
- In-use cartridges attached to a pen must be stored in the refrigerator (inside the pen) between 2°C to 8°C. They must be used within 28 days maximum.
Humatrope should not stay out of the fridge for more than 30 minutes a day (the time for your injection). Additionally, it should be kept away from light.
Related article: Tips for Travelling with Refrigerated Medication: Packing, Cold Storage, Air Travel Compliance, and More!
Final Thoughts
Storing growth hormone correctly is essential for maintaining its effectiveness and ensuring that it delivers the intended therapeutic benefits. While most brands require refrigeration, certain formulations allow for short-term room temperature storage under specific conditions.
To avoid potential loss of potency or wasted medication, make sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific growth hormone brand, and consult a pharmacist if you have any uncertainties about storage requirements.
By adhering to the recommended storage practices, you can maximise the benefits of your growth hormone treatment while minimising the risk of wasted medication. If you ever have concerns about whether your medication is still safe to use, always consult a healthcare professional to ensure its effectiveness and your continued well-being.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
💬 We hope this guide has helped you understand the best practices for storing your growth hormone injections at home. Have you had any experiences with growth hormone storage that you'd like to share? Do you have any tips or questions? We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions you might have. Your insights can help others who may have similar concerns or uncertainties about growth hormone storage.
