Pharmacology · Class
Growth hormone !
Recombinant human growth hormone and its long-acting forms, used when the body does not make enough of it.
Updated 2026-11-01
What they are
Recombinant growth hormone (somatropin) and long-acting derivatives. They treat growth failure from growth hormone deficiency and some other causes of short stature, adult growth hormone deficiency and, in some cases, HIV wasting and short bowel syndrome.
Mechanism of action
Growth hormone binds a preformed dimer of its receptor on liver, bone, muscle and fat cells. The receptor activates the JAK2 kinase and STAT5 transcription factors. In the liver this raises IGF-1, which drives growth at the growth plates; growth hormone itself also raises fat breakdown and blood glucose and promotes protein synthesis.
Target: Growth hormone receptor (GHR), a JAK2-linked cytokine receptor
Drugs in this class
Others in the class
- Somatrogon
- Somapacitan
- Lonapegsomatropin
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which signalling pathway does the growth hormone receptor use?
JAK2 kinase and STAT5 transcription factors.
Which hormone mediates most of growth hormone's effect on bone growth?
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), made mainly in the liver.
A child on growth hormone develops a limp and hip pain. What must be ruled out?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Somatropin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); Farmacología básica y clínica (Katzung), 16.ª ed., cap. 37 (McGraw Hill, 2025).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.