Somavert

Generic name:pegvisomant [ peg-VIH-so-mant ]
Drug class:Growth hormone receptor blockers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 18, 2021.

What is Somavert?

Somavert is a man-made protein that is similar to human growth hormone. Pegvisomant binds to the same receptor in the body as growth hormone, and blocks the effects of growth hormone.

Somavert is used to treat acromegaly (a growth disorder caused by too much growth hormone).

Somavert is usually given after other medications, surgery, or radiation have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Warnings

You should not use Somavert if you are allergic to pegvisomant.

Before using Somavert, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, liver disease, a latex allergy, or a tumor that secretes growth hormone.

To be sure Somavert is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, you may need blood tests and CT scans or other radiologic (x-ray) examinations during treatment. Visit your doctor regularly.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially insulin or oral diabetes medication, or any narcotic medication.

Stop using Somavert and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, swelling, rapid weight gain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Before using this medicine

You should not use Somavert if you are allergic to pegvisomant.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes (pegvisomant can lower your blood sugar);

• liver disease;

• a latex allergy; or

• a tumor that secretes growth hormone.

Somavert is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether pegvisomant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Somavert is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Somavert?

Use Somavert exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Somavert is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Somavert is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Do not shake the medication bottle or you may ruin the medicine. Prepare your dose only when you are ready to give an injection. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Your care provider will sh...