Prednisone with Somatropin Interaction Details

Brand Names Associated with Prednisone

Brand Names Associated with Somatropin

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated Nov 05, 2023

Interaction Effect

Reduced predniSONE efficacy

Interaction Summary

Coadministration of predniSONE and somatropin may result in hypoadrenalism and growth inhibition, and patients receiving glucocorticoid replacement therapy for hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses when receiving concomitant somatropin therapy. Formal drug interaction studies have not been conducted, but it is known that somatropin inhibits 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in adipose/hepatic tissue. Glucocorticoids, specifically predniSONE and cortisone acetate, are dependent on the activity of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme for conversion to their biologically active metabolites. In children, concomitant administration glucocorticoids and somatropin may reduce the growth-pomoting activity of somatropin. Adjust glucocorticoid dosing to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth .

Severity

Moderate

Onset

Unspecified

Evidence

Theoretical

How To Manage Interaction

Coadministration of predniSONE and somatropin may result in hypoadrenalism and, patients treated with predniSONE replacement therapy for previously diagnosed hypoadrenalism may require an increase in their maintenance or stress doses when receiving concomitant somatropin therapy. Somatropin inhibits 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, and conversion of predniSONE to its biologically active metabolites is dependent on the activity of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme. In children, concomitant administration glucocorticoids and somatropin may reduce the growth-pomoting activity of somatropin. Adjust glucocorticoid dosing to avoid both hypoadrenalism and an inhibitory effect on growth .

Mechanism Of Interaction

Somatropin inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 prevents conversion of predniSONE to its active metabolite

Prednisone Overview

• Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). Prednisone is also used to treat other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels. These conditions include certain types of arthritis; severe allergic reactions; multiple sclerosis (a disease in which the nerves do not function properly); lupus (a disease in which the body attacks many of its own organs); and certain conditions that affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines. Prednisone is also sometimes used to treat the symptoms of certain types of cancer. Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works to treat patients with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works.

Somatropin Overview

• Somatropin injection is used to replace growth hormone (a natural hormone produced by your body) in adults and children with growth hormone deficiency. Somatropin injection is also used to increase growth in children with certain conditions that affect normal growth and development. Somatropin injection (Serostim) is used to increase body weight and physical endurance in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have HIV-associated wasting syndrome. Somatropin injection (Zorbtive) is used to treat short bowel syndrome in adults who are receiving additional nutrition or fluids from intravenous (IV) therapy. Somatropin is a human growth hormone (hGH) analog. It works by replacing growth hormones that are normally produced in the body, which may result in increased growth, body weight, and improved absorption of nutrients and fluids from the intestines.

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Definitions

Severity Categories

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.

Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.

Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.

Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.

Onset

Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.

Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.

Evidence

Level of documentation of the interaction.

Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.

How To Manage The Interaction

Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.

It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.

Mechanism Of Interaction

The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Where Does Our Information Come From?

Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:

• Gold Standard Drug Database
• Micromedex
• Lexicomp
• DrugBank

The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used. 

Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.