Pegvisomant (Somavert)

• How GH inhibitors work: These drugs decrease the effect of excessive growth hormone (GH) by blocking GH from binding to cell receptors.
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• Who should not use these medications: Individuals allergic to GH inhibitors should not take them.
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• Use: Pegvisomant is self-administered by daily subcutaneous (shallow injection under the skin) injections.
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• Drug or food interactions: Pegvisomant may decrease insulin or oral antidiabetic drug effects. Individuals who take narcotic analgesics, such as morphine or codeine, may require higher doses of pegvisomant.
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• Side effects: The drug container top contains latex. Pegvisomant may cause certain GH-secreting tumors to grow more readily. Additionally, this drug may induce GH deficiency and/or increase liver enzyme levels. GH levels must be monitored to help guide dose adjustments. Liver enzyme levels must also be monitored.