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Your pen at home or away.

Whether you’re at home or away, here’s what you need to know to take care of your FlexPro® pen.

Room temperature storage after first use.a

Most other growth hormones must be refrigerated at all times, but not Norditropin FlexPro® pens.

Store them in the refrigerator at first, but after the first time you use FlexPro®, they can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F) if you’ll be using them within 21 days. (If you need to keep a pen for up to 4 weeks, store it in the fridge.a) This may allow for greater flexibility without having to preplan refrigeration for pens during overnight visits, vacations—even last-minute trips.

PEN

PEN COLOR

REFRIGERATION REQUIRED AFTER FIRST USE?

FlexPro® 5 mg/1.5 mL

Noa

FlexPro® 10 mg/1.5 mL

Noa

FlexPro® 15 mg/1.5 mL

Noa

FlexPro® 30 mg/3 mL

Noa

aAll unused Norditropin® products must be refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) prior to first use. Do not freeze and avoid direct light. After first injection, Norditropin® pens can either be stored outside of the refrigerator (up to 77°F) for use within 3 weeks, or in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F) for use within 4 weeks.

Traveling with the pen.

Because FlexPro® pens don’t require refrigeration after first use,a you can take them with you to the soccer game, the friend’s house for a sleepover, etc. Your Starter Kit includes a carrying case to keep the pen safe. You could hang a charm from your keychain or put a sticker on your steering wheel to help you remember to bring the pen. See how to order free charms and stickers.


If you need to travel with an unopened pen, you can use the cooler bag from your Starter Kit to keep it cold. Keeping some cold packs in the freezer all the time will allow you to just grab it and go.


If you’re traveling by air, we recommend that you bring all your FlexPro® devices with you in your hand-carried bags. There is a high risk that your FlexPro® will freeze in checked luggage, and keeping it with you ensures you can get your regular dose even if your luggage should be lost or delayed. Download a Travel Permission form.

A safe place.

Here are some common-sense practices for storing your FlexPro® pen:

Store the pen away from pets and children. Keep it in the same place every day so it doesn't get lost.

Do not store in the freezer or near the freezer element. If you store the pen in the fridge, make sure it won't fall out when you open the door.

If you live in a warm area, be certain that the pen isn’t stored in temperatures higher than 77°F.a

Likewise, if you’re traveling with the pen, make sure it doesn’t get warmer than 77°F or cooler than 36°F. Be aware that the temperature inside a sun-warmed car can get much higher than this.

The pen should be stored away from direct light. Keep the lid on the pen at all times to keep light away from the solution.

aAll unused Norditropin® products must be refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) prior to first use. Do not freeze and avoid direct light. After first injection, Norditropin® pens can either be stored outside of the refrigerator (up to 77°F) for use within 3 weeks, or in the refrigerator (between 36°F and 46°F) for use within 4 weeks.

Disposing of pens and needles.

It’s a good idea to check with your waste disposal company or with your local regulatory agencies to find out your options for prefilled device disposal. The needle and pen must be disposed of in a sharps disposal container (one of these is included in your Starter Kit).

FAQ highlights:

How can I be sure that the medication is still good?

How is Norditropin® stored?

Will I have to mix and load cartridges?

See all FAQs

Related links:

Easy on the environment

Selected Important Safety Information

Do not use Norditropin® if: you have a critical illness caused by certain types of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or breathing (respiratory) problems; you are a child with Prader-Willi syndrome who is severely obese or has breathing problems including sleep apnea; you have cancer or other tumors; you are allergic to somatropin or any of the ingredients in Norditropin®; your healthcare provider tells you that you have certain types of eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy); you are a child with closed bone growth plates (epiphyses).

Indications and Usage

What is Norditropin® (somatropin) injection?
 
Norditropin® is a prescription medicine that contains human growth hormone and is used to treat:
  • children who are not growing because of low or no growth hormone 
  • children who are short (in stature) and who have Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, or were born small (small for gestational age-SGA) and have not caught-up in growth by age 2 to 4 years 
  • children who have Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS) 
  • children who are not growing who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) 
  • adults who do not make enough growth hormone

Important Safety Information (cont’d)

Before taking Norditropin®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have had heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory problems) 
  • have had a history of problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea) 
  • have or have had cancer or any tumor 
  • have diabetes 
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Norditropin® may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Norditropin® works.

How should I use Norditropin®?

  • Use Norditropin® exactly as your health care provider tells you to 
  • Do not share your Norditropin® pens and needles with another person even if the needle has been changed. You may give another person an infection or get an infection from them.

What are the possible side effects of Norditropin®?
Norditropin® may cause serious side effects, including:

  • high risk of death in people who have critical illnesses because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma or serious breathing (respiratory) problems 
  • high risk of sudden death in children with Prader-Willi syndrome who are severely obese or have breathing problems including sleep apnea 
  • increased risk of growth of cancer or a tumor that is already present and increased risk of the return of cancer or a tumor in people who were treated with radiation to the brain or head as children and who developed low growth hormone problems. Contact the healthcare provider if you or your child start to have headaches, or have changes in behavior, changes in vision, or changes in moles, birthmarks, or the color of your skin 
  • new or worsening high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or diabetes 
  • increase in pressure in the skull (intracranial hypertension). If you or your child has headaches, eye problems, nausea or vomiting, contact the healthcare provider 
  • serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you or your child has the following symptoms: swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, severe itching, skin rashes, redness or swelling, dizziness or fainting, fast heartbeat or pounding in your chest, or sweating 
  • your body holding too much fluid (fluid retention) such as swelling in the hands and feet, pain in your joints or muscles or nerve problems that cause pain, burning, or tingling in the hands, arms, legs and feet. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms of fluid retention. 
  • decrease in a hormone called cortisol. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has darkening of the skin, severe fatigue, dizziness, weakness or weight loss 
  • decrease in thyroid hormone levels 
  • hip and knee pain or a limp in children (slipped capital femoral epiphysis) 
  • worsening of pre-existing curvature of the spine (scoliosis) 
  • severe and constant abdominal pain can be a sign of pancreatitis. Tell your or your child’s healthcare provider if you or your child has any new abdominal pain. 
  • loss of fat and tissue weakness in the area of skin you inject 
  • increase in phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone levels in your blood

The most common side effects of Norditropin® include:

  • injection site reactions and rashes, and headaches

Please click here for Norditropin® Prescribing Information.

Norditropin® is a prescription medication.

Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify. Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800- FDA-1088.

Talk to your health care provider and find out if Norditropin® is right for you or your child.